Apple's iPhone SE brings poor Bluetooth call quality for some users

Some early adopters of the small but state-of-the-art iPhone SE have reported trouble with the audio quality of phone calls made over Bluetooth headsets and ear pieces, an issue which Apple is said to be investigating internally.

Many of the complaints registered in Apple's own support forums indicate that the problems are specific to the iPhone SE, as the same Bluetooth devices work properly with other iPhone variants. Audio on problematic units sounds robotic and distorted, as though there is corruption in the Bluetooth data stream.

Tests conducted by AppleInsider were consistent with reports. FaceTime audio quality — usually pristine — was significantly degraded in a Bluetooth headset.

As noted by MacRumors, at least one customer claims that Apple support has escalated the issue to the company's engineering teams.

"I have been working with a high level support person who has assured me he is working directly with engineering," one wrote. "Apple has very much become engaged in this issue. They have had me do extensive testing of various conditions in order to document and troubleshoot."

The Bluetooth problem is said to be "on top of the list" in Apple's internal issue tracking software.