The bottom speaker has no sound. 18 Pro Max iOS 27.2

Kosiuk97 wrote:

I bought my iPhone 18 Pro Max two days ago and noticed that the bottom speaker on the left side of the device, next to the USB-C port, isn't producing any sound. I have iOS 27.2. I contacted support and they told me that according to their diagnosis, my hardware is fine and it's a software issue. They suggested I try reinstalling iOS from my PC, which I did using Apple Devices, but it didn't work. I'm still stuck with a device that cost me $1500 USD and only has one small speaker.…

There's a really good reason that what looks like a speaker to the left of the USB Port doesn't make any sound. It's not a speaker. It is the microphone for you to be heard to callers when you make a phone calls. I'm stunned that Apple Support didn't know to tell you it's not a speaker at all there. But it isn't.

Now, to the right of the USB C port it is a speaker. Are you saying there is not sound from the right hand side speaker? If you don't hear sound from what is in fact the speaker there, open Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Balance - make sure the slider is in the middle at 0.00. The other speaker on your iPhone is at the top of the iPhone screen and is how you hear callers when you're on the phone and when playing music is the other speaker for stereo sound.

Kosiuk97 wrote:

Yes, I did that; I tried moving it to see what would happen, but it only increases or decreases the output of the top speaker. In any case, I left it at 0—it didn't lead to any improvements, and the bottom speaker is still dead.

Are you using any source which is mono, only? If you open Apple Music and play a song, do you get sound out of the bottom speaker? If no, I'd schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar and show the phone to Apple. Both our 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, play music from both the top and bottom speaker.

You can schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar here --> Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

The phone is two days old. Hopefully, you purchased it from Apple directly? You can return the phone to Apple for any reason within the first 14 days and buy a replacement. If you bought the pone from another seller, you will be bound by their return policy.

Kosiuk97 wrote:

Regarding the Apple Store: I am in Argentina, far from any Apple Store. In any case, even if there were one nearby, I’ve called stores all over the country, and they all told me there is no way to exchange or repair my device—simply because it didn’t enter the country through official channels. Please excuse my English and my writing; I am using Google Translate.

I'm sorry, but you called Apple Support and you clearly bought a gray market iPhone, not from Apple directly. Do you know what country the phone was originally sold in?

Kosiuk97 wrote:

Regarding the Apple Store: I am in Argentina, far from any Apple Store. In any case, even if there were one nearby, I’ve called stores all over the country, and they all told me there is no way to exchange or repair my device—simply because it didn’t enter the country through official channels. Please excuse my English and my writing; I am using Google Translate.

Gray market phones have no warranty from Apple. You are dependent on the dealer you bought it from for service.

The left or right side depends on where you're looking at it, but the reality is that no sound comes out of the bottom. I know there's a side with a speaker and a microphone, but there's no sound, only from the top speaker.

Kosiuk97 wrote:

The left or right side depends on where you're looking at it, but the reality is that no sound comes out of the bottom. I know there's a side with a speaker and a microphone, but there's no sound, only from the top speaker.

OK. Did you go where I told you to go in Settings?

Yes, I did that; I tried moving it to see what would happen, but it only increases or decreases the output of the top speaker. In any case, I left it at 0—it didn't lead to any improvements, and the bottom speaker is still dead.

Regarding the Apple Store: I am in Argentina, far from any Apple Store. In any case, even if there were one nearby, I’ve called stores all over the country, and they all told me there is no way to exchange or repair my device—simply because it didn’t enter the country through official channels. Please excuse my English and my writing; I am using Google Translate.

Have you called Apple Support? Apple Support may request the product be shipped to a Regional Service Center.

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support