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Touchy Tip 007: Amplify the speaker

Posted by Simon on 2 February 2010

3 Comments - Latest by DBF

The iPhone's speakerphone is quieter than a mute mouse trapped in a soundproof booth in an underground basement. Even with its volume turned up to eleven. So here's a simple tip for making the darned thing louder...

...On the iPhone's bottom edge - directly beneath its Home button - are three important components: its microphone; the 30-pin connector that lets you charge and sync your iPhone with your computer; and its speakerphone's speaker. Which explains why the speakerphone isn't very loud: It's aimed straight out of the iPhone's edge, which is normally pointing away from you.

For an immediate boost in volume and sound quality, then, simply cup your hand around the bottom edge of the phone and redirect the sound back towards your face.

This works well in most situations; however, if you're in a particularly noisy environment, grab the nearest glass or coffee mug and lay it down on its side with its rim facing towards you. (Make sure you empty it first!) Then turn on your iPhone's speakerphone and point the bottom edge into the mug. Et voilà: an impromptu echo chamber/amplifier!

Comments (3 so far)

JJ on 2 February 2010

Handy! But it's a sad state of affairs when you have to use a cup to get an acceptable level of volume from your phone!
iDontbelieveit on 2 February 2010

nice :) surprised that you can redirect the sound by cupping your hand around the bottom edge of the phone, but it works :))
DBF on 4 February 2010

You can also amplify your iPhone's speaker by simply plugging it into its cradle. Try it. It works!