How do I find the speaker on my phone?

What is a speaker on a smartphone?

A smartphone speaker is a device built into phones that converts electrical audio signals into sound waves. The main purpose of smartphone speakers is to produce audio output so users can hear ringtones, music, videos, voice calls, notifications, and other sounds from their phone.

There are a few different types of speakers found on most smartphones:

Earpiece speaker – A small speaker located above the phone display, right where users hold the phone up to their ear. It plays audio during phone calls.

Bottom or main speaker – A larger, more powerful speaker located on the bottom or back of the phone. It plays ringtones, music, videos, and speakerphone audio.
Front-facing speaker – High-end phones may have an additional front-facing speaker at the top edge for stereo sound.

Having multiple speakers allows smartphones to produce louder, higher quality audio. The earpiece speaker ensures clear call audio while the main speaker provides immersive sound for media playback.

Locating the main speaker

Smartphones typically have a main speaker located either on the bottom edge or front face of the device. The bottom speaker is generally used for phone calls and front-facing speakers are used for media playback.

On iPhones, the main speaker for calls is located on the bottom edge, near the charging port. This allows the speaker to be closer to your mouth when holding the phone up to your ear during calls (1). Older iPhones had only a single bottom speaker, while newer models add a front-facing speaker at the top edge for stereo sound (2).

Many Android phones also have bottom-mounted speakers. For example, Samsung Galaxy phones have their main speaker on the bottom edge below the home button (3). Some Androids do have front-facing stereo speakers, like certain LG and HTC models.

So in summary, the main speaker for phone calls is almost always found on the bottom or front face of smartphones. Bottom placement is optimal for calls while front speakers are best for media and give stereo sound.

Sources:

(1) https://www.quora.com/Why-are-phone-speakers-at-the-bottom-of-the-phone-I-find-it-inconvenient-while-making-calls

(2) https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252757915

(3) https://www.idownloadblog.com/2011/11/02/iphone-speaker-bottom/

Using sound to find the speaker

One easy way to locate the main speaker on your smartphone is by playing music or other audio through it. The sound waves will lead you directly to the source.

Start by opening a music app or video that contains audio. Turn the volume up to a reasonably high level. If you’re having trouble hearing it, try cupping your hand around the phone to amplify and direct the sound.

Slowly move the phone around, watching for where the audio seems loudest. Move in the direction that increases the volume. The speaker will be located wherever the sound is the clearest and most intense.

This method takes advantage of the physics of sound waves. The audio will naturally be loudest and most focused at the point of origin – the main speaker. Following the sound provides a quick way to pinpoint that location.

For best results, play a track with clear vocals or instruments. Constant sound works better than intermittent noises. Move to an environment without a lot of ambient noise. Get close to the phone and turn the volume up as needed until you detect where the speaker is located.

With a targeted audio source to follow, you can easily zero in on your phone’s external speaker. This technique works on most smartphone models from any manufacturer.

Checking phone specifications

One of the best ways to find information about your phone’s speakers is to check the phone’s specifications or user manual. Every smartphone model has a specific set of hardware specs, including details about the phone’s speakers. Here are some tips for finding speaker details in your phone’s specs:

Look for a section titled “Audio” or “Sound.” This will provide details like the number of speakers, speaker placement (front-facing, bottom-facing, etc.), supported audio formats, and frequency response range. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S22 specs show a stereo speaker system with Dolby Atmos technology and a frequency range of 60-20,000 Hz (1).

Search for the terms “speaker,” “audio,” “sound,” or related words. You may find speaker details mentioned in other sections like “Hardware” or “Multimedia.” Keywords to look for include “speakers,” “drivers,” “woofers,” “tweeters,” “stereo,” “mono,” etc.

Check the phone’s user manual, which often provides more detail about the speakers and audio capabilities. You can usually find a digital manual on the phone maker’s website if you don’t have a physical copy.

Search for your specific phone model number + “specs” online to find specification sheets from the manufacturer or third-party sites. These give the most accurate speaker details for your phone.

Knowing your phone’s speaker specs helps you understand its audio capabilities and whether the speaker is functioning properly. Check your specs if you need details about speaker size, number, placement, or frequency range.

Testing speakers with accessibility features

Most smartphones these days come with accessibility features that allow you to test each speaker individually. On Android phones running Android 10 or later, you can use the audio balance setting under Accessibility to pan the audio left or right and test each speaker.

To do this, open the Settings app and go to Accessibility. Scroll down and look for the Audio and on-screen text section. There will be a slider labeled Audio balance that allows you to pan the sound more towards the left or right speaker. Slide it all the way to the left to test the left speaker and all the way to the right to test the right.

You can also download apps like iDiagnosis that have audio panning tests built-in to diagnose issues with each speaker individually.

Inspecting phone exterior

One of the easiest ways to locate your phone’s speakers is to visually inspect the exterior of your device. Speakers require an opening to project sound outwards, so they are typically located behind grilles, ports or holes along the edges of your phone.

On most smartphones, the main or bottom speaker is located along the bottom edge, either in the center or off to one side. You’ll notice a line of small holes or a cutout grille along this bottom edge where the main speaker is located. For example, on an iPhone 14, the bottom speaker is located on the bottom right when looking at the screen. On a Samsung Galaxy, it’s centered along the bottom edge ^[1].

The earpiece or front speaker used for phone calls is typically located above the screen, either as a small round grille or a thin slit. You’ll often see this speaker centered right above the front facing camera.

So inspect all sides and edges, looking for these telltale speaker openings. This visual examination can quickly help you identify where your phone plays sound from.

Testing with voice calls

Making a voice call is a simple way to check which speaker your phone uses. When you make a call, pay attention to whether the sound comes through the earpiece speaker at the top of the phone, or the main loudspeaker on the bottom or back.

To test with a voice call:

Make a phone call to a friend or your own voicemail
Hold the phone up to your ear to check if the call audio comes through the earpiece speaker
Pull the phone away from your ear to see if the call switches to the main loudspeaker

Try turning the volume up and down to test both speakers
Check if the call audio remains clear without buzzing or distortion

If the call only comes through one speaker, or has issues with buzzing, try cleaning the speakers or get help troubleshooting. Making calls is an easy hands-on way to verify both your earpiece and main speakers work.

Testing speakers individually

You can test each speaker on your smartphone individually by playing different audio through specific apps. Start by opening an app that uses the main speaker at the bottom of your phone, like YouTube or Spotify. Play a song or video and listen closely to ensure the main speaker is functioning properly.

Next, make a phone call and listen on speakerphone. This will test the earpiece speaker located above the smartphone screen. Speak into the phone and see if your voice plays back clearly. Finally, play a video or audio message and hold the phone up to your ear to check if the earpiece speaker is working.

For phones with dual front-facing speakers, like certain Sony Xperia models, you can test each speaker individually. Play a stereo audio track and cover one speaker at a time to isolate each channel.

Using apps to play targeted audio is the easiest way to check each smartphone speaker one-by-one. If any speakers are crackling, too quiet, or not working at all, it could indicate a hardware issue needing professional repair.

Using a Flashlight

One method to locate the speaker on a smartphone is by using a flashlight to shine light into various ports and holes on the device exterior. The speaker membrane, which vibrates to produce sound, often appears as a thin mesh or perforated cover behind these openings.

On most smartphones, the main speaker is located along the bottom edge, either on the back or front of the phone. Shining a light into the ports along the bottom can reveal the speaker membrane hiding within. This thin mesh may be visible behind a row of small holes or slits on the phone casing. Be sure to avoid shining bright lights directly into the camera lens while searching.

According to this Bluetooth speaker and flashlight combo, the compact flashlight can be used to visually inspect a phone’s exterior and locate openings where the speaker may reside. Take care not to damage the delicate speaker membrane when probing with the flashlight.

When to get professional help

If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps but your phone’s speaker still isn’t working properly, it may be time to take it in for professional repair. Here are some signs that your phone has a hardware issue that requires repair:

– Muffled, distorted, or very low maximum volume even after cleaning the speaker. This could indicate an issue with the speaker itself.¹

– No sound at all from the speaker, even at full volume. The speaker may be damaged or disconnected.

– Crackling, popping, or buzzing sounds from the speaker. This points to a hardware problem.

– Speaker works only intermittently. A loose connection could be causing the issue.

– Phone was exposed to moisture or dropped in liquid. Liquid damage can short circuit the speaker.

– Phone has physical damage near the speaker. The impact could have jarred something loose internally.

If you are experiencing any of these speaker problems, take your phone to a repair shop. The technicians will be able to diagnose the specific issue and replace any damaged parts in order to get your phone speaker working properly again.