iPhone 16e Has a Bluetooth Audio Problem - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone 16e Has a Bluetooth Audio Problem

In the two weeks since the iPhone 16e launched, some early adopters of the device have experienced a Bluetooth audio issue.

iPhone 16e Feature 1
According to complaints from affected users across the Apple Support Community, Reddit, and X, audio being streamed from an iPhone 16e to a Bluetooth speaker periodically stutters or cuts out. It is unclear how widespread the problem is.

One affected user said the issue has persisted even after updating the iPhone 16e to iOS 18.3.2, released earlier this week. It is unclear if the issue is or will be resolved in iOS 18.4, which is currently in beta and will be released in April.

Some affected users said the issue appears to arise when the iPhone 16e is connected to multiple Bluetooth accessories simultaneously.

Given that some of the affected users have contacted Apple's support representatives about this issue, hopefully the company is aware of the problem and working on a fix, which should arrive in a future software update.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple TV Thumb 3

Everything Coming in the 2026 Apple TV 4K

Wednesday July 8, 2026 4:51 pm PDT by
The Apple TV 4K hasn't been updated since 2022, and it's due for a refresh. An update is planned for 2026, but Apple is likely going to wait to launch it after Siri AI launches in iOS 27. Design Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing. The next Apple TV is going to have the same squircle shape as the current model, and it'll continue to be made from a black...
iphone 16e usb c feature

Apple Begins Selling a $419 iPhone

Monday July 6, 2026 6:29 am PDT by
Apple recently added the iPhone 16e to its refurbished store, with U.S. pricing starting as low as $419 for a model with 128GB of storage. Originally released in February 2025, the iPhone 16e is a lower-end device with a 6.1-inch OLED display, an A18 chip with 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence support, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a 12-megapixel front camera, a USB-C port, an Action...
iphone 16 teal

'Siri AI' Lawsuit Update: Apple to Pay Owners of These iPhone Models

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:08 am PDT by
In May, Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit over Siri AI's delayed launch, and eligible iPhone users could receive up to a $95 payout. This week, the California court overseeing the case held a hearing regarding preliminary approval of the settlement, but the judge has not yet issued a ruling. It will likely be at least a few more months before eligible...

Top Rated Comments

mansplains Avatar
17 months ago

FWIW I have a 14 Pro and haven’t seen this.
Of course you haven't, you need to hear it!
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
17 months ago
According to complaints from affected users across the Apple Support Community, Reddit, and X, audio being streamed from an iPhone 16e to a Bluetooth speaker periodically stutters or cuts out.
Is this really an iPhone 16e issue and not an iOS 18 issue? When I'm listening to audio via bluetooth on my iPhone 14 with iOS 18.3.1 the audio would sometimes cut out (bluetooth earbuds would disconnect) and I'd have to re-pair/reconnect them to the iPhone. I didn't have this isuse with iOS 17 and so far I haven't experienced this with iOS 18.3.2
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CWallace Avatar
17 months ago

Uh oh! Is the C1 modem responsible for Bluetooth radio? That doesn’t bode well
Pretty sure C1 is just a cellular radio and modem. I believe the 16e uses a separate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip like other iPhone models. And that this issue happens with other iPhones with Qualcomm cellular radios...
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BelgianChoklit Avatar
17 months ago
Having this issue on my Apple Pencil Pro
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
awshucks Avatar
17 months ago
You’re holding it wrong.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechWhisperer Avatar
17 months ago
I had this problem with my iPhone 14 Pro too.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)