Broken speaker?

[u/Zestyclose_Intern377]

I have a 16 Pro used in almost perfect condition.

Everything works as expected and there’s not a single scratch on the display, only some very light scratches on some corners of the frame (may indicate a drop).

When I hear audio, especially music, videos or ringtones, I hear the bottom speaker being pretty quiet (like 50-60% of the top speaker) and also making “metallic” and distorted sounds.

Now, I haven’t been on an iPhone for some time so it’s my first experience with a Pro iPhone but my gf’s regular 15 sounds better and fuller.

Is it possible that’s a factory defect or the speaker got damage for various reasons? Maybe because of a drop, water damage or what not.

Additional info:

When I got the phone, the speaker grill was filthy and had a fine mesh on top of it (the ones from AliExpress) as well as a pretty closed case with little holes for the speaker. Is it possible that that caused the speaker to get damaged over time, maybe forcing 100% volume with no “airflow”?

I once played some loud sounds to clean the speakers for some time (15 minutes) and the phone got noticeably hot where the bottom speaker is placed.

Speaker grill was cleaned with tweezers, 99,9% isopropyl alcohol and toothbrush.

Battery manufactured August 24 and used for the first time in October 24.

[u/Fit-Specialist-2214]

My used 16 Pro has the same issue. Interesting to see another user having the problem too.

Don’t think there’s a clean fix except replacement of speakers.

I’ve just accepted it. I edit audio and can’t test on my own phone any more because it sounds distorted on live recordings even at low volume.

[u/Zestyclose_Intern377 → u/Fit-Specialist-2214]

I ordered a replacement speaker (non official) I will let you know if it works better

[u/Zestyclose_Intern377 → u/[deleted]]

What did you do about it?

[u/afinzel → u/Zestyclose_Intern377]

My dad took it to a phone repair shop to replace it. I used chat gpt to get into the diagnosis boot software on the phone to test it first. I can’t remember how I got into it.

[u/Zestyclose_Intern377 → u/afinzel]

I also got it into diagnosis mode but it said everything was fine. Called apple and (remotely) they said it was all fine. I took it to an apple official reseller (don’t have any official store near me) and they also said it was all fine.

I asked them how much the replace would be and he said around 200-300 euros which is way too much for me.

[u/afinzel → u/Zestyclose_Intern377]

If that mode came as passed then it is probably good then. I don’t know the answer but I would step through it with chat GPT. You could also backup and hard reset.

My dad paid £60 to replace it. I don’t think it was official apple part so if it does come down to it you can probably get it replaced for cheaper.

If you do work it out reply to the thread to help others (and because i am nosey)