iPhone 8/Plus (Fixed in 11.0.2) Iphone 8 plus crackling static noise in earpiece during calls

[Gmbb55]

Update:
Currently at the Apple store in Stonestown mall in Sf,CA. Told the genius the situation and he heard the static/crinkling. He confirmed it. Getting a replacement as we speak! Hopefully the new one is better

Also did they give you a replacement right then and there?
[doublepost=1506389209][/doublepost]

Question - turn the phone off and hold it up to your ear like you’re on a call.

Now push (with a little force) the earpiece portion of your phone up against your ear...I can hear it make a “pop” noice when doing so. Especially when I focus the pushing to the left of the earpiece.

That makes me honk it’s a hardware issue...almost like the screen is doing microscopic “pops” in and out. Can anyone else try this?

I agree. I believe it’s hardware. I had the same thing happen. A software issue wouldn’t make this noise even when the phone is off. It sucks bc I love this phone and honestly this noise isn’t really a big deal. But for the price of it, I wouldn’t except this.

 

[ghsDUDE]

Also did they give you a replacement right then and there?
[doublepost=1506389209][/doublepost]
I agree. I believe it’s hardware. I had the same thing happen. A software issue wouldn’t make this noise even when the phone is off. It sucks bc I love this phone and honestly this noise isn’t really a big deal. But for the price of it, I wouldn’t except this.

I have had two with the same exact issue. I’m exchanging for another phone tomorrow.

My wife is VERY lucky because her 8 Plus doesn’t have the static during calls.

I can’t imagine what’s going to happen to the X.

 

[bchris]

My guess is that no one really use the the phone as a phone. And when they do its speaker phone or with a headset.

i know thats how i do it.

I think i used the earpiece the past 3 days more than i have in the past year just testing this thing out.

Never use the headset. The past three phone headsets are still sitting on the pool table unused....lol...mostly for texting or emails. When calling I use it as a phone or on 'hands free' in the cars. Never had issues, unless you want to talk about the blue tooth auto issues a few years back....lol.

 

[Polymerpouch]

I have had two with the same exact issue. I’m returning for a 128gb 7 Plus tomorrow.

My wife is VERY lucky because her 8 Plus doesn’t have the static during calls or the creaking sound when off.

My call quality has constant popping and I’m 100% sure the screen popping in and out is the issue here...pissed at Apple’s quality control.

I can’t imagine what’s going to happen to the X.

The sound I’ve been referencing during calls sounds nothing like structural movement -i.e the screen.

I also do not witness any clicks when the phone is off, phones will creak to some extent when force is applied.

The only time I get the same audible tick is during a call and as previously mentioned this doesn’t occur with all audio, just calls. This would lead one to assume it’s something that can be fixed with software, Unless it’s a hardware issue that affects all units - though it would be more widely reported.

This is occurring in multiple territories and I’ve personally received a replacement device that exibits the same behaviour during calls.

 

[eterem]

Question - turn the phone off and hold it up to your ear like you’re on a call.

Now push (with a little force) the earpiece portion of your phone up against your ear...I can hear it make a “pop” noice when doing so. Especially when I focus the pushing to the left of the earpiece.

That makes me honk it’s a hardware issue...almost like the screen is doing microscopic “pops” in and out. Can anyone else try this?

I could not reproduce this. I can, however, hear very slight clicking when pressing on the camera (the one that is closer to the flash). If I accidentally touch the camera/mic while tapping the earpiece, I hear this too. Some people believe that this is just a part of the camera mechanism, and that's reasonable. And it will click even if the phone is turned off.

However, while listening very closely in a dark room I have realized something incredible. There is a very slight hissing noise coming out of the earpiece, even if no apps are using it (and the screen is locked)!

 

[Phonzoxd]

I have had two with the same exact issue. I’m returning for a 128gb 7 Plus tomorrow.

My wife is VERY lucky because her 8 Plus doesn’t have the static during calls or the creaking sound when off.

My call quality has constant popping and I’m 100% sure the screen popping in and out is the issue here...pissed at Apple’s quality control.

I can’t imagine what’s going to happen to the X.

It would actually piss me off if the X, thats a brand new product have better QA than the 8.

 

[ghsDUDE]

It would actually piss me off if the X, thats a brand new product have better QA than the 8.

I want the X...but it’s going to have issues.

I swear if I didn’t have everything tied into Apple’s Ecosystem I’d try the Note 8 for the hell of it.

But I feel like the adjustment to Android would be brutal.

 

[Gmbb55]

I have had two with the same exact issue. I’m returning for a 128gb 7 Plus tomorrow.

My wife is VERY lucky because her 8 Plus doesn’t have the static during calls or the creaking sound when off.

My call quality has constant popping and I’m 100% sure the screen popping in and out is the issue here...pissed at Apple’s quality control.

I can’t imagine what’s going to happen to the X.

Yeah I can understand why you’re returning yours. I’ll replace mine and if that doesn’t work I guess I’ll ride it out bc it doesn’t bother me that much.

 

[Phonzoxd]

Yeah I can understand why you’re returning yours. I’ll replace mine and if that doesn’t work I guess I’ll ride it out bc it doesn’t bother me that much.

Same for me. If they can fix the problem through software great. if they can acknowledge its a problem and do a recall great. If they will let me exchange it with the promise of giving me a problem free one also great.

But as-is, this phone is too awesome for me to give up and return to my 6+. And im certainly not going to beta test an X

its not like the crackling actually bugs me, its that i don't have the perfect version of the phone.

 

[Ngamtns706]

I could not reproduce this. I can, however, hear very slight clicking when pressing on the camera (the one that is closer to the flash). If I accidentally touch the camera/mic while tapping the earpiece, I hear this too. Some people believe that this is just a part of the camera mechanism, and that's reasonable. And it will click even if the phone is turned off.

However, while listening very closely in a dark room I have realized something incredible. There is a very slight hissing noise coming out of the earpiece, even if no apps are using it (and the screen is locked)!

Phones will hiss a little when on at all. Seriously.
[doublepost=1506390745][/doublepost]

The sound I’ve been referencing during calls sounds nothing like structural movement -i.e the screen.

I also do not witness any clicks when the phone is off, phones will creak to some extent when force is applied.

The only time I get the same audible tick is during a call and as previously mentioned this doesn’t occur with all audio, just calls. This would lead one to assume it’s something that can be fixed with software, Unless it’s a hardware issue that affects all units - though it would be more widely reported.

This is occurring in multiple territories and I’ve personally received a replacement device that exibits the same behaviour during calls.

I’m with you here. Same.

 

[Gmbb55]

Same for me. If they can fix the problem through software great. if they can acknowledge its a problem and do a recall great. If they will let me exchange it with the promise of giving me a problem free one also great.

But as-is, this phone is too awesome for me to give up and return to my 6+.

its not like the crackling actually bugs me, its that i don't have the perfect version of the phone.

Right it sucks to have this issue but it’s not the worse thing. I honestly doubt they’ll do a recall. Apple seems to never acknowledge issues just try and resolve them. I don’t even think I want to replace it simply bc what if it’s worse lol idk I love this phone and one minor issue like this could be tolerated. It’s an 80 20 thing. Also other models have had issues bigger than this one. Idk. It depends on ones mindset.

 

[Polymerpouch]

Just spoke with Apple support regarding my initial ticket on the launch day. They are aware of the issue affecting audio, at this point it is believed to be software and they are working on a fix with an unknown ETA.

 

[Nic727]

Did people tried to report the issue on the official Apple forum?

If they see an official thread with lots of users, maybe they will do something?

Will wait until its fixed before buying a 8.

 

[Harthag]

Lol, seems I am in the minority and actually use my phone for voice calls daily. If a phone doesn't work...as a phone...I have no use for it. Unacceptable. The fact that it costs $950 adds insult to injury. I'm back on my 7 and am just returning the 8+ tomorrow. I've never experienced this on my 7, also using iOS 11.

 

[PBz]

What I said about not hearing the noise. ... well scratch that. Pun intended. Just had 10 minute call..was that crazy clear call type (I don’t have WiFi calling enabled). But the light scratching..cracking. Totally there. Was there half the call. Speaker seemed to make it go and come. Annoying as hell. SO light like a baby kitten lightly scratching a metal screen.
[doublepost=1506392130][/doublepost]

This is exactly what happens to me.

This is it.

 

[Ngamtns706]

What I said about not hearing the noise. ... well scratch that. Pun intended. Just had 10 minute call..was that crazy clear call type (I don’t have WiFi calling enabled). But the light scratching..cracking. Totally there. Was there half the call. Speaker seemed to make it go and come. Annoying as hell. SO light like a baby kitten lightly scratching a metal screen.
[doublepost=1506392130][/doublepost]
This is it.

Welcome to the club.

So it sounds like Apple is doing an iOS update, not necessarily related to our issue, tomorrow? Or next week?

 

[PBz]

Indeed - please report this to https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Reported.
[doublepost=1506393742][/doublepost]

Welcome to the club.

So it sounds like Apple is doing an iOS update, not necessarily related to our issue, tomorrow? Or next week?

I saw someone post possible 11.0.1 tomorrow but could be a guess. My wife is PISSED at iOS 11. It’s giving her issues with her Bluetooth keyboard and deleted all her PDFs in iBook. She runs Capital Markets for her company and is on a big company trip in Chicago. I was helping her work on issues while she was in a cab today and tonight.

I was convinced 11.0.1 would be out last Tuesday or within a week. They can’t do MacOS & iOS on same day IMO.

Hoping fix possible and soon. My Apple Store already too familiar with me due to MBP keyboard issues. They might not let me back in with this issue. What a PITA. Apple truly has degraded significantly. This is two MAJOR core functionality (calls on a phone & keyboard on a laptop).. and the OS that runs them.

 

[Ngamtns706]

SMH.

 

[PBz]

I sent this thread to the Apple CR rep who helped me with my keyboard issues. Not logging a personal case at the moment but wanted her to know. She’s good.
[doublepost=1506394204][/doublepost]

SMH.

Give them time. I’m sure it’s upstream. ..just not downstream yet. Then again, when has Apple ever openly admitted to an issue. It’s on us to look like OCD freaks for not accepting issues with premium hardware.

 

[LorQ1027]

Also did they give you a replacement right then and there?
[doublepost=1506389209][/doublepost]
I agree. I believe it’s hardware. I had the same thing happen. A software issue wouldn’t make this noise even when the phone is off. It sucks bc I love this phone and honestly this noise isn’t really a big deal. But for the price of it, I wouldn’t except this.

Yes I got a replacement right then and there! The genius took my phone and told me to call his phone. He went to the back to see if he was able to hear what I heard. A few minutes later he came out and confirmed what I had told him. He then said I was the first one that complained about this issue. He then proceeded to offer me a brand new unit, accessories and all.

Now onto my second phone.. sadly to say, the static/crackling is still there. Not sure what I should do. Not sure if I should bring it back or stick with it and hope for a software update that will fix it. Just knowing that it’s there is annoying as all hell.

 

[PBz]

At this point the best strategy is to not be outside of 14 days.
[doublepost=1506394424][/doublepost]I lean (and hope) towards software. Some type of noise cancelling issue. Possibly explains why not with headphones or speaker. Also could explain the prevalence.

 

[Ngamtns706]

At this point the best strategy is to not be outside of 14 days.
[doublepost=1506394424][/doublepost]I lean (and hope) towards software. Some type of noise cancelling issue. Possibly explains why not with headphones or speaker. Also could explain the prevalence.

Still have a restocking fee right?

 

[ghsDUDE]

Yes I got a replacement right then and there! The genius took my phone and told me to call his phone. He went to the back to see if he was able to hear what I heard. A few minutes later he came out and confirmed what I had told him. He then said I was the first one that complained about this issue. He then proceeded to offer me a brand new unit, accessories and all.

Now onto my second phone.. sadly to say, the static/crackling is still there. Not sure what I should do. Not sure if I should bring it back or stick with it and hope for a software update that will fix it. Just knowing that it’s there is annoying as all hell.

That sucks. I’m sorry to hear that.

 

[PBz]

Still have a restocking fee right?

Not with Apple Retail.

 

[bchris]

My guess is that no one really use the the phone as a phone. And when they do its speaker phone or with a headset.

i know thats how i do it.

I think i used the earpiece the past 3 days more than i have in the past year just testing this thing out.

I used the speaker today for the first time in months.. Usually use the phone as a phone (my only phone, no land line).
Of course the call to apple the call was clear as could be...no garble....like taking your car in for a problem.There is something up.....enough info from us folks and it should get figured out.

I've done a few resets with no improvement. Hard reset, memory flush, network reset, power cycle.
Seems to be about 1 out of 3 calls are garbled for the listener ....no static/clicking sound on my end (yet).