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Earpiece too loud/distort/buzz

Long version:
Made my first call with the Nexus 4 yesterday. The call volume was surprisingly loud and it sounded distorted. I had to turn down the volume in order to not hurt my ear. Initially I thought I was having bad reception and so the call quality was bad. But after making a number of calls at different locations, I concluded that the earpiece will start to distort/buzz whenever the call volume is set above 50%.
Called Play customer service line today, explained the issue, and I was told that they had received a number of reports of the same problem. They quickly proceeded to send me a replacement as well as a UPS label for me to send the phone back after I got the replacement. They also told me that my replacement will arrive in 3-5 business days, so at least the replacement devices are not backordered.
TL;DR:
Contacted Play support, and I was told this is a known hardware problem. They immediately proceeded to send me a replacement. If you have this problem, RMA it.

I don't really understand the issue. If it too loud it distorts? Can you keep it at good listening level without it distorting?
sent via xda premium with nexus 7 while waiting for my shiny new Nexus 4!

Problem is what happens when the new one has the same problem? Mine has the hiss and buzz but I haven't RMA it yet
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Richieboy67 said:
I don't really understand the issue. If it too loud it distorts? Can you keep it at good listening level without it distorting?
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At max volume it's too loud, mostly too trebly. Above 50% it start to buzz/distort (not hissing noise), yet at 50% it's too quiet most of the time. Good listening level is around 75-80%, but it buzzes at this volume.

I agree, the earpiece is really loud but that's good thing. I hear everything loud and clear. This phone is perfect. The back speaker is surprisingly loud as well.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

robollama said:
Problem is what happens when the new one has the same problem? Mine has the hiss and buzz but I haven't RMA it yet
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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Same here is there a limit on the number of days after purchase where we can ask for a replacement or does it all fall under the 1yr warranty. I rather deal with Google and have them ship me a new phone rather than ask lg for a replacement
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

pretty sure RMA advance replacements are first 15 days. for the next year it is normal warranty you send it they assess weather repair or replace with new device. this is normal procedure with most companies HOWEVER! with google play i have heard of people getting advance replacements way after the 15 day period so not 100% sure.

noobdeagle said:
pretty sure RMA advance replacements are first 15 days. for the next year it is normal warranty you send it they assess weather repair or replace with new device. this is normal procedure with most companies HOWEVER! with google play i have heard of people getting advance replacements way after the 15 day period so not 100% sure.
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The first 15 days is if you want a refund, I believe the RMA is covered under the 1 year warranty. Either way Google just sends replacements if there is a problem with the device.

If you guys have this problem down the line, don't worry too much. The earpiece is very easy to separate from the phone, and is on a plastic piece with the vibrator. Should be inexpensive on eBay, but RMA for sure if you are within warranty.

I bought two 16gb models, one sounds great, the other has horrible buzzing/distortion, especially at higher volumes. There's definitely a major difference, so I called google and they immediately offered to send me a replacement. I wonder how many phones have this problem?

Same problem here. Just called Google and they're sending a replacement. Hoping for a buzz-less phone this go around. Love the N4 otherwise.

I had the same issue, posted a thread about it, basically over time it "broke in" so before rushing to RMA I would put another hour or two of calls through the phone at a lower volume and go from there.

i can't say the same about mine. Earpiece seems just right when i turn the volume all the way up, and the speaker i wish was a little louder but it's ok. Buzzing in the earpiece is annoying. Not too loud, constant when the screen is on or off when next to my ear during conversations. None of my phones buzz like that. Nice work, LGoogle.

Same here, one good other is going back to google

I'm still waiting for my replacement.
Today was the first time plugging in a pair of headphones to my N4 and I notice static noise that many have mentioned....
For those who have problems with the earpiece, do you also have this problem with the headphone jack? Are they somehow related?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

On my device no buzzing noises.
However earpiece (and speaker) are loud.
For me this is more of an advantage coming from I9100 where I had to ask people to speak loud finally a device to I can hear them!

waiting for my replacement as well. sucks because everything was perfect EXCEPT for the earpiece.
it sounds as if the earpiece speaker is over tuned, making for a buzz everytime the opposing party speaks.

In the same boat here. Ordered two, one is fine, the other has the buzzing earpiece. Mine buzzes no matter what the volume is.

Would I have to wait 6 weeks for a replacement? I have the earpiece problem but I don't wanna wait that long
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

hunterhp said:
Would I have to wait 6 weeks for a replacement? I have the earpiece problem but I don't wanna wait that long
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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Mine is shipping sometime this week... I RMAd on Sunday morning
Sent from my Google Nexus 4

System reboots during audio playback

I've been experiencing weird issues mostly during Spotify audio streaming as well as during playing local files and a video once. It will play music fine for a couple songs then it will stop all sound yet show that it is still playing. From that point generally if I skip to the next track it will hard reboot. I tried a factory reset already but it hasn't helped. Anyone know my options here? I'd return it but I dropped the phone about a foot yesterday and the glass cracked near the volume buttons, it doesn't go over the screen but it's enough that I couldn't return it now.
Sent from my HTC first using xda premium

Have you tried a factory reset?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

rooobbbbb said:
I've been experiencing weird issues mostly during Spotify audio streaming as well as during playing local files and a video once. It will play music fine for a couple songs then it will stop all sound yet show that it is still playing. From that point generally if I skip to the next track it will hard reboot. I tried a factory reset already but it hasn't helped.
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My wife was complaining about something similar today, except hers didn't reboot, but she also might not have tried to skip track. Just to mention though, Spotify dropped an updated version to the play store today. Perhaps that might fix your issue?
Anyone know my options here? I'd return it but I dropped the phone about a foot yesterday and the glass cracked near the volume buttons, it doesn't go over the screen but it's enough that I couldn't return it now.
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You're not the only one. A friend dropped his on Saturday and got a crack all the way across the back/home/menu buttons. I thought these things were supposed to have Gorilla Glass on them... Anyways, you could always go to AT&T's website and purchase the insurance since you're still in the 30 day window, for $6.99/mo, and then pay the $125 deductible to get a replacement...

nuclear_eclipse said:
My wife was complaining about something similar today, except hers didn't reboot, but she also might not have tried to skip track. Just to mention though, Spotify dropped an updated version to the play store today. Perhaps that might fix your issue?
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Unfortunately it has happened during a video, during Spotify (multiple versions, found a list of many old APKs on their forum) and also during Pandora so I'm not really sure what to do but wait and hope someone with more knowledge points me in the right direction.
nuclear_eclipse said:
You're not the only one. A friend dropped his on Saturday and got a crack all the way across the back/home/menu buttons. I thought these things were supposed to have Gorilla Glass on them... Anyways, you could always go to AT&T's website and purchase the insurance since you're still in the 30 day window, for $6.99/mo, and then pay the $125 deductible to get a replacement...
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I'll probably just leave it the way it is since it doesn't actually affect the glass. If I ever figure out how to add a warranty I'll probably do it now so I can replace it once I'm fed up with looking at the crack. Thanks for the suggestions!

After you log in to myatt, if you hover over the myatt menu, and then wireless, there's an option about mobile insurance. If you go there, it gives you the option to add insurance to eligible devices.
Sent from my HTC first using xda premium

Thanks for the pointer. I'll take a look when I'm near a PC.
Sent from my HTC first using xda premium

I did a factory reset and installed only Spotify and the reboot occurred in 5 songs and was accompanied by a loud high pitched sound that persisted until it finally rebooted. Looks like I have dud.

Might be worth seeing if you can get it fixed under warranty for that issue Ewen disregarding the damage...
Sent from my HTC first using xda premium

nuclear_eclipse said:
Might be worth seeing if you can get it fixed under warranty for that issue Ewen disregarding the damage...
Sent from my HTC first using xda premium
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Yeah you're right, I contacted HTC first (haha) to see what they have to say about replacing it even though the glass is cracked. If it ends up being 200+ to get it fixed I don't know what I'll end up doing. Sucks because other than the audio reboots and the crack this phone is my favorite android phone ever and I've had a lot of them.

rooobbbbb said:
Yeah you're right, I contacted HTC first (haha) to see what they have to say about replacing it even though the glass is cracked. If it ends up being 200+ to get it fixed I don't know what I'll end up doing. Sucks because other than the audio reboots and the crack this phone is my favorite android phone ever and I've had a lot of them.
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What all causes it to reboot? Any streaming audio?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

It's happened in Google Music both local and streamed, Spotify, Pandora and one video on a website. I called HTC and have an RMA in progress
Sent from my HTC first using xda premium

I haven't had any issues with audio playback. I've spent a bunch of hours on pocket casts listening with no hiccups or issues.
Sent from my HTC first using xda premium

That gives me hope my replacement will be fine. Thanks.
Sent from my HTC first using xda premium

Similarly, I've listened to Pocket Casts and Spotify each for hours on end without issue, so it definitely sounds like an RMA is the best bet. Good luck

nuclear_eclipse said:
Similarly, I've listened to Pocket Casts and Spotify each for hours on end without issue, so it definitely sounds like an RMA is the best bet. Good luck
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Thanks, it's in the box and ready to ship. Hopefully there is some development going on by the time I get a working one back, it kinda surprises me there isn't more interest in this. It's the first Android phone that felt right in my hand, was decently quick, easy to get to stock and had great battery life.

Still got issues after latest update!

Ok, so this is my 3rd device now, SIM free UK phone from phones4u,
Just updated to latest software and still suffering from the issue of intermittent back and home buttons not lighting up and also (and most annoying) is the static hiss/interference noise that I get through the earpiece when making calls.
Was really hoping that these would be sorted by the update ......might well be a deal breaker for me now as in the very least it should function properly as a phone. Gutted as have really tried to persevere with the phone but poor call quality is a real issue.
Anyone know why this is there and if there is likely to be any fix for it ?
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

Just me then ?
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

What a pain. I'm on my third one too, from phones4u sim free. This one has a couple of dead pixels and small gap, but the unresponsive back button issue is gone... So I'd say give it another shot at an exchange!
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app

What serials do you both have? Ive got mine from P4U Sim Free variant, and i havent had any problems with mine. . . I got it on Launch day had it nearly 4-5 weeks now. My Serial is: FA33NW******

dobknobby said:
What serials do you both have? Ive got mine from P4U Sim Free variant, and i havent had any problems with mine. . . I got it on Launch day had it nearly 4-5 weeks now. My Serial is: FA33NW******
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Mines fa34kw sim free black handset. Build is fine and the back buttons are not unresponsive, just don't light up as often as they should but that u could live with, it's the noise on calls that's really annoying, I've noticed that it seems to be mainly there when I make the call, not when i receive them
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

[Q] Has anyone gotten complaints about call quality from the person on the other end?

I'm hoping this problem is just one bad handset and not epidemic, but I have been hearing VERY consistently from other people that they are having trouble understanding what I'm saying. It is not location specific, I generally have full or nearly full service, and I can hear them just perfectly. But I have been hearing from many people that I talk to about this problem.
I'm going to exchange the phone and get a replacement, assuming this is just my phone and not an HTC ONE problem. Has anybody else been hearing this? If so I may regretfully end up with an S4 =\

I have been having issues as well. Just tried to exchange for an S4 at sprint store and they wanted $35 dollar re-stocking fee. Going to deal with online/phone people now. My HTC One is dropping calls, calls are not clear, and lower data connection in the same environment than my old EVO Shift. Wanted the phone to work out, just didn't.

HTC One call quality/connection
mill1321 said:
I have been having issues as well. Just tried to exchange for an S4 at sprint store and they wanted $35 dollar re-stocking fee. Going to deal with online/phone people now. My HTC One is dropping calls, calls are not clear, and lower data connection in the same environment than my old EVO Shift. Wanted the phone to work out, just didn't.
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Mine is working beautifully call quality is awesome on both ends and data conection was faster here in boston when put up against my buddy's s4 (also sprint) there were some issues with speakers and radios on some of the HTC ones... mostly the first batch that went out to people who pre-ordered, myself included, but so far i'm issue free.
be warry of that s4 you picked up by the way many people have reported display issues... don't worry though I believe they are software side... people reported black bars appearing on the screen when scrolling I'm pretty sure it's a simple software bug.

drbadass said:
I'm hoping this problem is just one bad handset and not epidemic, but I have been hearing VERY consistently from other people that they are having trouble understanding what I'm saying. It is not location specific, I generally have full or nearly full service, and I can hear them just perfectly. But I have been hearing from many people that I talk to about this problem.
I'm going to exchange the phone and get a replacement, assuming this is just my phone and not an HTC ONE problem. Has anybody else been hearing this? If so I may regretfully end up with an S4 =\
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Have you got a case on? I was just looking at mine and making sure it has all the right cutouts. Maybe others do not?
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app

raptoro07 said:
Have you got a case on? I was just looking at mine and making sure it has all the right cutouts. Maybe others do not?
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app
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Didn't have one for the first 5 days, had it the last 2.. same problems consistent throughout.

i'll confess I use a Bluetooth headset, but the very rare occasion I use the handset I've never had an issue

I was having the same problem, then I realized my pinky was always covering up the microphone. Went 2 days where people were like I can barley hear ya.

Roman G said:
I was having the same problem, then I realized my pinky was always covering up the microphone. Went 2 days where people were like I can barley hear ya.
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Same thing here man, I had to change how I usually hold my phone... haha - no big deal

Same here... It's the pinky... Even tested it to make sure. Silly place to put the mike...
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app

Roman G said:
I was having the same problem, then I realized my pinky was always covering up the microphone. Went 2 days where people were like I can barley hear ya.
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Your realization just kept me from having to return my phone. Thanks lol
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk 2

blizzake said:
Your realization just kept me from having to return my phone. Thanks lol
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk 2
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It wasn't the pinky for me. As I stated in another thread, I think it's something to do with over-aggressive or poorly handled background noise cutting, or a major problem with dynamic range control going from loud to soft etc.

started actually using the phone for phone calls this week..I'm hearing "its hard to hear you" and "you sound far away" more then I've ever heard before...

It's definitely not the point for me. It happens all the time, most of my calls are using a airave so I'm wondering if that had something to do with it.
Anyone know if this is a sprint related issue? Should I be exchanging my phone?

Blown speakers?

I'm pretty sure my One has blown the top speaker (again). This happened to a previous phone I had and I got it replaced, within the last few months even. Has anyone else had multiple One's blow speakers? Is this a common defect or am I just that unlucky?
I don't even use the speakers very often, so it's not like I've overused them or cranked the music/voice up on it to manage to blow them.

Happened to me twice. Sounds real crackling. Best buy replaced mine without hesitation
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Sprint replaced mine once before, and should do so again, I was just curious if it's a common problem with these phones.

tatonka_hero said:
Sprint replaced mine once before, and should do so again, I was just curious if it's a common problem with these phones.
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I have had mine for a while and have maxed out the volume for a time while listening to music and no issues yet. Not sure if certain types of music or audio boosts on certain tracks may change this. For example, I found a copy of a Lil Wayne cd that I can play on low volume and I can hear the bass boost in the track itself. I can hear the distortion from the low frequency. Fortunately I am not a Lil Wayne fan and will never have need to play it through my phones speakers.
Maybe you came across a track boosted as such and this contributed to the blown speakers? Just a thought .

herschbach3 said:
I have had mine for a while and have maxed out the volume for a time while listening to music and no issues yet. Not sure if certain types of music or audio boosts on certain tracks may change this. For example, I found a copy of a Lil Wayne cd that I can play on low volume and I can hear the bass boost in the track itself. I can hear the distortion from the low frequency. Fortunately I am not a Lil Wayne fan and will never have need to play it through my phones speakers.
Maybe you came across a track boosted as such and this contributed to the blown speakers? Just a thought .
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It's certainly possible, but I so rarely even use the speakers that I doubt it. Usually it's lullabies playing if anything (this thing is great for that when you've got a baby). I didn't notice it until I put my dad on speakerphone Monday morning

I've had 3 different HTC ones get crackly speakers...from what I've read I'm probably in the "work in dusty/metal dust environment" group. Took about 1-2 months from new status to have issue each time...
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app

onefasttreopro said:
I've had 3 different HTC ones get crackly speakers...from what I've read I'm probably in the "work in dusty/metal dust environment" group. Took about 1-2 months from new status to have issue each time...
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app
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Ah, maybe that's it. I do work in a machine shop at times during the day and have been known to go home with aluminum shavings in my pockets (ouch). The rest of the environment at work is essentially a clean room, so it's not coming from there.
If the dang phone wasn't such a pain to disassemble we would be painting them at work and I could have just gotten it fixed by one of our techs.

Hasn't happened to mine, regularly (daily) use the phone on 50-100% volume to listen to stuff in the shower while leaving the phone on the sink. I agree with the theory of it probably being some specific type of audio file type (boosted track?) messing with the speakers

They're getting another replacement, but said if I have to get a third phone they'll charge me $25. They never did that when I went through 7 different Evo Shift 4G's!

tatonka_hero said:
They're getting another replacement, but said if I have to get a third phone they'll charge me $25. They never did that when I went through 7 different Evo Shift 4G's!
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Yea it sux....it's part of the revised equipment service and repair program...used to be $4/month for me and kept getting replacements no problem whenever I had a problem.... Now they are raising the price on ESRP plans to $5/month and limit to 2-3 replacements per year and then $25 per device...imho it is BS because if device isn't working we the users/subscribers shouldn't be penalized for defective devices...another way to save on losses by Sprint and push towards dealing with manufacturer...which isn't too bad if it's a simple fix and otherwise phone is fine and you have a backup device for duration of repair.
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app

tatonka_hero said:
They're getting another replacement, but said if I have to get a third phone they'll charge me $25. They never did that when I went through 7 different Evo Shift 4G's!
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Which insurance plan do you have?
Sent from my One using Tapatalk

Rimmir said:
Which insurance plan do you have?
Sent from my One using Tapatalk
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TEP, as far as I know. Like $11/mo I think. It's also an advantage club line, or whatever they're calling employee hosted plans these days

I have had 3 replacments for the blown speaker issue. phone still under warranty so replaced free. now my 4th HTC ONE has the same issue again & the sprint store i previously went to said i have to go to a corporate location cause it an isolated issue so they couldnt do anything. i have yet to go. i think i will go today

My camera decided to stop working (no physical damage). I bought this phone in May 2013 with the $11/month insurance plan. What's the process of replacing it and how much does it cost?
Sent from my One using Tapatalk

I'm on my 3rd ONE in a few months. Local sprint store (not-corporate) has been extremely cool with getting me replacements. They had to order the first one, but the next one (yesterday) they had a re-furb in stock that they gave to me right on the spot. Barely any questions asked.

e_town said:
I'm on my 3rd ONE in a few months. Local sprint store (not-corporate) has been extremely cool with getting me replacements. They had to order the first one, but the next one (yesterday) they had a re-furb in stock that they gave to me right on the spot. Barely any questions asked.
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Stupid question, what's the difference between corporate and noncorporate stores? How do I tell the difference?
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

Rimmir said:
Stupid question, what's the difference between corporate and noncorporate stores? How do I tell the difference?
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk
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The quickest way to find out is just walk in and ask a worker or go to sprints website and do a search for locations...the non corporate ones will be named like "sprint by wireless company x"....there's corporate, premier sprint (non corporate but only sprint sales), and then the tier 2/3 multi carrier locations that have multiple brands in one location...
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onefasttreopro said:
The quickest way to find out is just walk in and ask a worker or go to sprints website and do a search for locations...the non corporate ones will be named like "sprint by wireless company x"....there's corporate, premier sprint (non corporate but only sprint sales), and then the tier 2/3 multi carrier locations that have multiple brands in one location...
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app
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So non corporates can give me a refurb if they have it in stock? A month ago I walked into a corporate store and asked to file an insurance claim for another device and they just had me call assurion and talk to them myself.
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

Non corporates might happen to stock various phones for exchanges, not all...they have different procedures than corporate...at a non corporate store i worked at we had one or two of the common ones in stock for your situation and when you came in we did the exchange through your account and got your device for our stock and we handed you one we had....Hope that makes sense...saves hassle of waiting for the customer to get a device 3 days later...
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app

onefasttreopro said:
Non corporates might happen to stock various phones for exchanges, not all...they have different procedures than corporate...at a non corporate store i worked at we had one or two of the common ones in stock for your situation and when you came in we did the exchange through your account and got your device for our stock and we handed you one we had....Hope that makes sense...saves hassle of waiting for the customer to get a device 3 days later...
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app
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But did you still charge those customers the assurion deductible?
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