Apple Investigation Probes Into Audio IC iPhone 7 Problem

A growing number of consumers have reported experiencing audio problems while using the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Issues with the audio IC, or integrated circuit chip, have been dubbed the “loop disease” by tech experts.

What is the Audio IC iPhone 7 Problem?

The audio IC iPhone 7 problem is with its audio function. Also called loop disease, experts believe it may be caused by a loosening of the audio chip on the motherboard of the phone. Fixing the loose chip requires the chip to be temporarily removed and the wires beneath the chip to be soldered together.

Although Apple issued a recall for a different chip issue earlier this year affecting the Qualcomm chip in some iPhone 7S models, no recall has yet been issued for the audio IC iPhone 7 problem.

Users have reported issues including occasional freezing of the phone screen, a grayed out icon for voice memos, a grayed out speaker icon during calls, and distorted audio. Some users have reported entire loss of audio during phone calls or FaceTime calls.

Problems often get worse over time, as the chip’s connection to the motherboard continues to loosen. In the final stage of loop disease, the phone may freeze or infinitely loop while displaying the Apple logo when starting up. Often, users will not realize that their phone has loop disease until it reaches this final stage, as many people do not reset or restart their phones regularly.

What Causes Loop Disease?

There is no consensus from tech experts about what causes loop disease. It may be caused by dropping the phone, or by repeated bending of the phone. Experts who believe that it is caused by dropping the phone claim that repeated short drops may disconnect the audio chip due to the sudden shock of impact. Those who believe repeated bending may pry the chip away from the motherboard think that keeping phones in pants pockets may be partly to blame.

So far, reports of loop disease refer to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus as the affected models. Many consumers who have reported symptoms of loop disease are just coming out of their warranty period. This means that while their phones are often still in good condition aside from the issues caused by the disconnecting audio chip, repair of the phones is no longer covered by Apple and must be paid for by the consumer.

According to one tech repairperson, it may cost consumers up to $150 to have a shop repair their audio chip and reverse the problems caused by loop disease. Tech repair people at multiple stores told Motherboardthat the influx of iPhones with loop disease has been increasing over the past six months. One called the number of affected phones an “epidemic.”

Earlier last year, Apple faced a class action lawsuit pertaining to an alleged defect in the batteries of iPhone 6s that led to slow devices.

If you have an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus and have experienced the audio IC iPhone 7 problem, you may qualify to join a free investigation into audio issues with Apple devices.

Join a Free iPhone Sound Problem Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you have experienced iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus sound problems, you may be eligible to join a free class action lawsuit investigation.

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