I am noticing a lot of audio issues with S25 Ultra!!

[MartianTechSavvy]

I have been noticing a whole lot of audio issues with the s25 ultra. Namely after doing the February update, but I've only owned the phone for 8 days. It is brand spanking new, and yes I am pretty tech savvy. Just a disclaimer before I'm told to do basic or even advanced troubleshooting. I am well versed in the S- series and android in general, it's all I've ever owned. But I have noticed popping in the speakers in various applications such as capcut, Spotify, watching videos off Google (when rotating phone), going to Bing and the volume being very low even though my phone is at full volume. Even audio popping during diagnostics. 

I have til the 26th to make a decision to exchange it for a new one and pay $50 restock fee or after that file a warranty claim or use my insurance and pay a $275 deductible. This audio issue is happening even when I pair my galaxy buds 3 pro to my phone. This points toward a software issue, but for over $1300 dollars I wanna be sure. 

I just went through pure **bleep** when I switched providers for one day only to find out that the provider I'm with is holding my galaxy watch ultra captive. They claim they don't lock smartwatches but on their website in my account it says unlock eligible because I payed it off. I submitted the iemi and they approved the unlock or so the email they sent me claimed, but when I gave the iemi # to the new provider their system kept rejecting it. I know it's compatible with their network too because they sell the same watch there and the salesperson was wearing the same orange band watch as me, same model and everything. 

Anyway I go back to the provider I've been with for years which shall remain nameless, because this forum isn't for trashing providers. I am just stating facts. Anyway, I look at their website after getting the s25 ultra and now owning the watch ultra and it's still locked. On top of that they wouldn't let me retain my phone number I've had for years and I didn't have a chance to disable 2FA before they cut my service because when I switched to the other provider they were able to port my phone number over to their network but not the watch. 

So, I've been trying to regain access to all of my accounts credit cards, emails, memberships etc. And 2FA is meant to not be circumvented, so it's been a nightmare. I'm still locked out of important accounts and awaiting resolutions. So, here I am now experiencing audio issues with this new phone. Plus some other issues, ie- battery, clipboard, pairing, so on. I need some feedback from everyone and anyone that may be experiencing any issues with the s25 ultra I've mentioned. 

I dread the thought of exchanging it for a new one and the money isn't even the main reason. As I've droned on about I don't wanna have to set up another phone even with smart switch (cabled) ofc😒. But just the thought of signing back into all of my accounts even with the same number where 2FA won't be an issue, but I still dread it after what I just went through. 

I kindly ask anyone who has read this long TMI post to please give me any helpful feedback to help me make an informed decision as to whether or not I should jump the gun and exchange it or wait for a fix (if indeed it's software related). Has anyone else been experiencing these types of issues? Online research of my own has led me to forums that people have been reporting audio issues. I know Capcut and Spotify can have these pops in the speaker. But my s23 ultra did not have an issue with it. But, this new s25 is loaded with so many new Ai features and settings it's unreal. All I can say is "calling all droid users please help me out here" Thank you in advanced to any and all non-trolls that may answer with helpful insight.🙏

Edit- Well, everyone I did exchange the phone and the same audio issues exist and even some other visual issues in specific applications. I see things like stuttering while scrolling and many other weird bugs. So, I honestly believe the February update needs a patch. The phone seemed to work better when I first set it up, and as soon as I pushed the February update these many different bugs occur. So, I hope for the money that this phone costed me it will be fixed. 

I do understand it's a brand new release so I'm honestly hoping Samsung will work all the bugs out in the near future. So, yeah I wasted $59 dollars exchanging the phone. Also, my provider tried to pull a fast one on me and tried to take my s23 ultra trade in and not give me the promotion on the s25 Ultra. Luckily I am meticulous and I keep very organized records and have proof of everything so if they try to rip me off I will for sure not take that lying down. 

But, I wanted to let everyone know don't jump the gun like I did unless you are 100% sure your phone is defective. And I believe mine was because the audio is still weird but not near as bad as the phone I exchanged. Also, I've noticed inconsistent haptic feedback as well as touch sensitivity issues. Please 🙏 Samsung fix these issues. These high-end phones are very expensive and we Samsung users deserve better. When you pay over $1300 for a phone you expect it to function properly. 

[MartianTechSavvy]

Thank you for your empathy for my situation it is much appreciated. You're right I shouldn't have to pay that fee. Anyway, I did because believe it or not they gave me 2 defective phones. So, now I think my provider **bleep** up when creating the original paperwork. One agent told me the trade in credit I was promised I'll receive for my perfect condition s23 ultra were expired. Well, I lost it and got very frustrated and upset, but civil. I told them there is NO WAY you guys can legally take my phone and back out of your end of the deal! Needless to say by the end of the conversation they assured me I'd receive the $1300 credits making the s25 Ultra free. That was the promotion as long as your phone met a certain criteria (which it did and then some) I have plenty of records. Luckily I'm so meticulous with recording keeping, otherwise I believe they would have ripped me off. I'm still stressed they might try, but I have to much evidence proving I was guaranteed those credits including an official receipt. So, we shall see 🙄

[Faith7777]

That's great news, hopefully everything will work out and this will be behind you and you can enjoy your phone. Sorry to hear you did have to pay the restocking fee! Thanks for the update! Continued good luck on this situation, take care! 😊

[MartianTechSavvy]

Thank you friend 🙏