The iPhone 12 series has been available for about one year, and we’re gearing up to get the iPhone 13 in our hands. While Apple has largely avoided any major hardware issues with the 2020 version, it seems that there is a new problem that has cropped up. Apple is definitely no stranger to recall programs, but this is just the latest program to be issued.
At the end of August, Apple announced an all-new service program for select iPhone 12 owners. It appears that owners of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro has a failing speaker component that results in your iPhone not producing any sound. This means you won’t be able to answer any phone calls, and the stereo speakers will become a mono-speaker system.
Thankfully, Apple has recognized that there is a problem, and states that the problem only affects a “very small percentage”. But the problem is that with the sheer number of iPhone 12 models that have been sold, a “small percentage” can turn into a pretty big problem. Here’s Apple’s description of the problem and why the service program was announced:
“Apple has determined that a very small percentage of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro devices may experience sound issues due to a component that might fail on the receiver module. Affected devices were manufactured between October 2020 and April 2021.”
The company has also confirmed a few additional details before you take your iPhone 12 in to be serviced. First, this service program does not extend the warranty coverage of any affected iPhone. Second, this service program covers any iPhone 12 model that is affected for “2 years after the first retail sale of the unit.”
Is Your iPhone 12 Eligible?
If you have been experiencing these issues and you own either the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro, then you’re in luck. According to the service program landing page, this problem does not affect either the iPhone 12 Mini or the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise given that the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are the same size, and likely use many of the same internal components. And with the smaller 12 Mini and larger 12 Pro Max, the components are different sizes compared to the other models.
Those who suffer from these issues and need to get their iPhone 12 serviced, have a few different options. However, it seems that there is no way to verify whether your iPhone is eligible by checking the serial number. Instead, the iPhone needs to be examined ahead before any official determination is made. In order to participate in the service program, you’ll need to do one of the following:
Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store.
Contact Apple Support to arrange mail-in service via the Apple Repair Center.
Before taking your iPhone 12 or 12 Pro into the Apple Store or having it services, be sure to back it up. There’s a chance that Apple may end up needing to replace the entire device, or perform a reset in order to perform a series of diagnostics tests. Apple also states that if there is previous damage to the iPhone, such as a cracked screen, you’ll need to have that repaired first.
Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.
He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.
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