Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has bad voice quality

Lalx88 on 24/01/2018 - 10:27
Last edited 24/01/2018 - 11:23

Does anyone have voice quality issues with their Samsung Note 8? I bought mine around 10 days ago. People complained that they can't hear me properly. It's like being on speaker. Eventually two days ago I took the phone to the Samsung shop. We tested the phone and compared it with Galaxy S8. I can confirm there is a very big difference.

If you have a Note 8 it might be a good idea to test and compare it. Because in Samsung shop we tested a brand new Note 8 and it was exactly the same! You will see the difference clearly when the call is in HD (over 4G or an app like Whatsapp).

I have also compared it with an iPhone 6S and the iPhone was much clearer. My theory is that because Samsung made the bottom bezel too small they screwed up the microphone. The Samsung shop manager wasn't surprised when I said I have microphone issues. He said what they usually do is to open the phone and readjust the location of the microphone. In my case, they also replaced the PCB (whatever it means) with no positive effect.

One of the Samsung staff agreed that the voice quality between S8 and Note 8 is different and said it's because they are different phones! But I don't see why Note 8 should have much lower voice quality.

Do you have same issue with your Note 8?

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Comments

  • BertieBrown on 24/01/2018 - 11:06

    That’s frustrating. Did they say that they could do anything else? PCB, IIRC just means printed circuit board. So not sure what they actually did? I guess if they can adjust the mic again that might help?

    • alx88 on 24/01/2018 - 11:36

      On the report it says: "Replaced sub PCB. Tested OK". So they have replaced a small board that hosts the microphone. But the thing is I have now tested the voice quality with 3 Note 8, one of which was from Samsung store. All seem to have sub optimal voice quality. I am not saying that microphone is very bad. But it's like being on speaker so it's quiet.

      It's a deal breaker for me personally. I just came back from Officeworks where I returned the phone for a full refund.

      • BertieBrown on 24/01/2018 - 20:38

        Fair enough. Officeworks have an awesome returns policy, so good idea shopping there. What’s your next phone going to be? I’ve got a iPhone 8 and it’s pretty decent, IMHO.

        • alx88 on 25/01/2018 - 01:59
          +1

          Probably S9 plus. For now back to my note 5.

  • bobbified on 24/01/2018 - 11:16

    Thanks for letting us know.
    No-one's complained about the voice quality on mine so far. I'll ask my next caller just to be sure! :)

    Have you put yours in water or anything?

    • alx88 on 24/01/2018 - 11:44

      Yes I took it to jacuzzi once and initially I suspected it can be the water stuck in the mic hole. But when I tested it in Samsung store and also compared it with a brand new Note 8 I realised it's not the water. In my opinion every Note 8 probably has this issue.

      The best way to test would be to have a Note 8 and S8 call a phone and have the conference call recorded and then compare. I wish I had that setup so I could post the audio file here for everyone to listen.

  • alx88 on 24/01/2018 - 11:51
    +2

    Also I should put some good words for Officeworks. I returned the phone just an hour ago. They were quick and didn't ask too many questions. Top service! They will get my business from now on for sure. I am glad that I bought my Note 8 from them as oppose to going directly through Samsung store.

    Samsung store (Melbourne Central) service was really really bad! They were rude and incompetent. I had to go in 4 times! They made me sign a form saying I am happy that they might replace my new phone with a refurbished one if needed!

    So Officeworks really shined after the horrible Samsung store experience.

    • brokenglish on 25/01/2018 - 08:06

      You got lucky, some OW stores are ****

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