The Apple Watch Series 10 appears to be plagued by a persistent speaker problem, with numerous users reporting significantly reduced volume over time. Complaints have surfaced on platforms such as the Apple Support Community and the Apple Watch subreddit, where affected individuals describe difficulty hearing phone calls or music through the device’s built-in speaker. Some posts date back as far as four months, indicating that the issue is not new.
Widespread Reports, No Official Response
Despite mounting reports, Apple has yet to acknowledge the problem or provide an official explanation. While it remains unclear how many users are affected, the volume of complaints suggests the issue extends beyond isolated cases. Several users have shared experiences of purchasing a replacement Apple Watch Series 10, only to encounter the same muffled or staticky sound within a week.
Potential Causes and Failed Fixes
Many users initially suspected moisture buildup and attempted to resolve the issue using the Water Lock feature, which is designed to expel liquid from the speaker. Others speculated that colder weather and exposure to hand lotions or other cosmetics might be contributing factors. However, attempts to clear the speaker have largely proven ineffective, with no significant improvement reported.
Hardware or Software?
This is not the first time Apple has faced a widespread hardware issue. In previous cases, the company has launched service programs to address hardware defects, while software-related bugs have been patched through watchOS updates. Given the nature of user reports, the issue appears to be hardware-related, potentially requiring a physical repair rather than a simple software fix.
Temporary Workarounds
For users struggling with low speaker volume, one workaround that appears to be effective is routing audio through AirPods or another Bluetooth device rather than relying on the watch’s built-in speaker.
With no response from Apple yet, affected customers are left waiting to see whether the company will provide a solution—be it through a service program or a future software update.
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