Within the Apple Watch Series 10, we find a new speaker, 30% more compact than the one integrated on previous watches. Despite its reduced size, the speaker allows you to listen to any audio content on the connected watch. For the first time since the release of the original Apple Watch, it is even possible to listen to music.
As Apple explained in its press release last September, "as with phone calls, it is now possible to listen to audio content streamed from apps like Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple Books, and third-party apps – directly on Apple Watch."
Inaudible sound
Unfortunately, it seems that this new speaker is the victim of a malfunction on some of the Apple Watch Series 10. On Reddit and on the Apple support forum, there are a myriad of user reports indicating that the volume of the watch tends to decline very quickly.
The sound emitted by the speaker has become imperceptible, even when the volume is pushed to its maximum. On the brand's support forum, an Internet user indicates that the "maximum volume is almost inaudible" and that it is impossible to understand the person you are talking to during an audio call. Similarly, listening to voice memos is no longer possible.
A progressive problem?
Some users have encountered problems from the first time they used the Apple Watch. The first reports date back to October, a month after the smartwatch was released. According to other reports, the speaker began to gradually lose power after two or three months of use. The sound then constantly seems muffled, as if the speaker was obstructed.
Annoyed by the problem, one of the buyers returned the watch, still under warranty, to Apple, we can read on Reddit. In return, he received a brand new Apple Watch. This new model soon started to have the same volume problem as the previous one. The watch was recovered by Apple and sent for repair.
However, Apple has not yet officially communicated on the problem. Everything suggests that some units have a defective speaker. After several tests, we have not noticed the slightest problem on our Apple Watch Series 10. We bet that this is a relatively isolated problem, although the testimonies have multiplied online in recent months.
Updated 02/13 — In a new support sheet, Apple offers some advice if the Apple Watch produces distorted, muffled or intermittent sounds, or the sound crackles. These tips apply to all models, not just the Series 10. Apple suggests cleaning the speaker by running it under a gentle stream of warm water (the watches are water-resistant).
For the Series 10, you can use a soft-bristled brush to “gently” remove debris that may be clogging the speaker ports. Do not use cleaning fluids, sprays, or abrasives!
Another tip: check for water inside the speaker, and if so, place the watch face down on a lint-free microfiber cloth. Water can affect the performance of the speaker (or the microphone, which is housed in the same place). Leaving the watch on charge overnight can speed up evaporation.
Finally, Apple suggests checking whether silent and Do Not Disturb modes are enabled, or adjusting the volume.
Source: 9to5Mac
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