iPad 2 3G Mic Seems to Have Issues

After a bit of testing, it appears that the 3G enabled iPad 2 microphone might have a few issues.

In particular, the problem reveals that sound echos a bit as well as sounds a bit muffled when using the 3G model. The reason is believed to be because of the change in location of the microphone. On the original iPad, the microphone was on the top left of the device about 8 – 10mm from the 3.5mm headphone jack. On the new iPad, Apple moved it to the middle top of the device and on the 3G version, it is embedded right on the black bar where the antenna is found.

What we also find interesting to hear is that the CDMA version of the iPad 2 seems to be effected more than the GSM model.

At this point in production we doubt that Apple will make any changes. If this problem was revealed on the original iPad, it wouldn’t be too much of a problem. But with the iPad 2 utilizing Face Time calls as well as video recording (with sound), we suspect it will be flagged up a bit. Of course, this will have gone fairly unnoticed unless someone compares the two together, but now we expect to hear more reports of this.

What wasn’t tested is the quality of the 3 iPad versions (WiFi only/GSM/CDMA) with 3G switched off. Perhaps it’s interference, or perhaps the way each is designed. Will it cause a problem for those wanting to buy a 3G model? Probably not in a lot of cases, but if sound is a main priority for you then it might be worth testing before buying.