Apple remains mum on a clearly widespread problem with the latest handsets

Jan 3, 2012 12:31 GMT  ·  By

Numerous upset owners of an iPhone 4S have taken to the Apple Support Communities forum to cry about a widespread issue affecting the audio capabilities of the new iPhone 4S.

Softpedia reported on this problem in November, when the thread in question started to rack up an alarming number of complaints.

Most people are reporting audio problems when the phone is used with the included headset, an issue that shouldn’t have become widespread since the headset is made by Apple, with the iPhone in mind.

More surprisingly is Apple’s total lack of acknowledgement, after 152K views on the thread (at the time of this writing), many customers have noticed.

The Cupertino giant prides itself on the impeccable customer support it offers, yet they’re reluctant to admit an issue that can potentially turn into another PR nightmare, like last 2010’s Antennagate.

This issue is appropriately named by the community ‘Audiogate’.

One person writing on the Apple forums is quoted as follows (in the Correct Answer case):

“Well, I'm on my 3rd 16gb 4s and this one is working. No problems connecting and I can hear everyone fine now -- never have to switch to speaker. If I hold the mic too close to my mouth, there is an echo at times, but otherwise the problem is gone. The first 2 phones I had the issue was almost constant. Happened on over 60% of the calls I made.

Hopefully it can be fixed with a patch, but at this point, Apple hasn't even acknowledged that it's a known issue (at least not to me).

I tried talking to them on the phone, but the only way to accomplish anything was to go to the Apple Store and exchange it for a different phone.”

Anyone here experiencing the same problem? Think Apple will patch this with the release of iOS 5.0.2 / iOS 5.1 in the near future? Use the comments below to share an impression.