Kitz Forum

Computers & Hardware => Android & other hand held devices => Topic started by: roseway on July 27, 2019, 03:39:06 PM

Title: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: roseway on July 27, 2019, 03:39:06 PM
I've got a new phone, a Nokia 8.1, which is pure Android 9.0, and Android One certified. When I make phone calls the other person hears a rather distorted version of my voice, with a bit of "tizz" accompanying each sound. This didn't happen with my previous phone. Any ideas what's causing it?
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: kitzuser87430 on July 27, 2019, 03:49:34 PM
I would instal or use a sound recording app and see if it happens without involving the mobile network...Could be a faulty phone

I have used https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.axet.audiorecorder from the play store and the default recorder on my phone.

Ian
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: roseway on July 27, 2019, 04:52:52 PM
Thanks for the suggestion. I've installed the app you mentioned, and voice recordings are perfectly clear, so that part of the phone seems to be fine.
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: Ronski on July 27, 2019, 04:58:49 PM
Have you tried multiple calls to different people?
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: d2d4j on July 27, 2019, 05:05:49 PM
Hi

On some android headunits, having google assistant running, does not like to release microphone to phone  app.

You could try stop google assistant from using microphone if installed as a test

Also, please do not take wrong way, but do you have any covers over the screen which maybe blocking 1 of the microphone

Many thanks

John
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: gt94sss2 on July 27, 2019, 06:23:11 PM
Have you ruled out the other persons line as being the issue?

Try calling them with your old mobile and then the new one.. and/or call someone else and see if they have the same issue
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: roseway on July 27, 2019, 07:03:42 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions.

@Ronski: Yes, I've called different people, and also my own landline, which has an answering machine. All have the same issue.

@d2d4j: I've turned off Google Assistant, and it may have made some improvement, but more tests are needed.
I have a case which protects the back, but it fits very well and doesn't block either microphone.

@gt94sss2: As above, I've called different numbers with the same issue.
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on July 28, 2019, 12:53:24 AM
Sounds like maybe a noise-cancellation issue, backfiring and causing distortion instead of doing its job?  Not sure if you’d have any control over that with Android (or with iOS either) but if there are any settings, worth having a play?

Other than that, understood you have tried multiple landlines.  But were they, or some at least, traditional BT POTS?   Anything else risks extra complexity, eg possibility of incompatibilities at VoIP gateways.
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: roseway on July 28, 2019, 06:43:25 AM
That's definitely worth exploring, although I haven't seen any mention of noise cancellation in the settings yet. I'm also going to try holding the phone in different positions when I speak.

Of the numbers I've called, two are straight BT POTS and two are Talk Talk. If anything, the Talk Talk numbers may be less affected than the BT numbers (but it's a small sample of course).
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: d2d4j on July 28, 2019, 09:28:23 AM
Hi roseway

Thinking about it, I had a similar issue with an new iPhone and had to take it to one of the Apple stores.

They simply replaced it with another new one and had no issues after that

The Apple store people were the ones telling me I had covered some mic on the phone and that was the reason. I told them it was new and faulty.

Good luck anyway

Many thanks

John
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: johnson on July 28, 2019, 01:36:43 PM
Agree with d2d4j, if you bought it from a physical store I'd just go in and explain the issue (you could even demonstrate it there, phoning them or another mobile with you) and they will probably just hand you a new device.
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: roseway on July 28, 2019, 03:08:19 PM
Yes, thanks, I'm coming to that conclusion. I've tried all the fiddles I can find, and some web searching revealed that there have been occasional reports of this kind of issue with Nokia phones. I bought it from Amazon, and I think I'm going to return it for a refund. It's a shame, because in other respects I like it.
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: Ronski on July 28, 2019, 04:01:53 PM
Have you tried adjusting the ear piece volume, if too loud it could be feeding back.
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: roseway on July 28, 2019, 04:07:48 PM
Yes, I tried that, although it isn't very loud by default. It didn't make a difference.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful suggestions. I've decided to return it for a refund.
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: sevenlayermuddle on July 28, 2019, 06:42:58 PM
I've decided to return it for a refund.

Don’t blame you, quite a reasonable thing to do. And the longer you keep it, the harder it gets.

I might be able to recommend a good iPhone with which to replace it?  Ok, I’ll get my coat.  :P
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: roseway on July 28, 2019, 07:21:21 PM
I might be able to recommend a good iPhone with which to replace it?

 :crazy:
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: jelv on July 29, 2019, 09:05:26 AM
Do you have the same issue if you put your phone on to loudspeaker? I had an issue after one of the software updates with my Nokia where my voice was very quiet at the other end unless I put the loudspeaker on or used a earpiece and mic. It seems fixed after a subsequent update.
Title: Re: Problem with sound quality when I speak on the phone
Post by: roseway on July 29, 2019, 10:01:55 AM
I'm afraid it's too late to check that - I've sent it back.