I've also got the SGS2, for about 2 weeks. The first week I used it without a case, and it worked 100%. No echo problems.
I then bought a
Case Mate Tough Case, which is a pretty awesome case, and that's when the echo problem started.
The problem has nothing to do with the case, not directly anyway. You could use almost any case on the market that has a cutout around the microphone, and it will result in the echo problem. Remove the case and the problem disappears. So, to the root of the problem. The SGS2 has 2 microphones - the one at the bottom is a regular microphone used for telephone calls, and the second one is at the top next to the 3.5mm audio jack, and this mic is used for noise reduction/cancellation (call it NR).
From what I've read on the net, the echo problem is a combination of both hardware and software. On the hardware side, it has to do with the quality of the NR microphone, and how it is obstructed somewhat when you put a case on it. Increasing the size of the hole for the NR microphone in the case usually helps to reduce the problem, but doesn't completely eliminate it, and will result in damaging a perfectly good case. On the software side, the NR algorithm which decides when to invoke noise cancellation, and to what degree, is not so finely tuned, and doesn't work at times. The combination of these 2 problems results in the echo problem.
The echo problem often manifests itself more often in noisy areas, as the NR algorithm is invoked more frequently and/or to a higher degree.
There are 6 possible solutions I have come across thus far:
- Use the phone naked, without a case (not recommended)
- Send the phone back to Samsung / your Service Provider for repairs
- Wait for Samsung to release a firmware update to fix the problem (this may have been done already), which then needs to get approved by the local cellular operators, and finally released to the public via OTA updates.
- Install a patch or custom ROM that disables the NR software.
- Enable and then disable the speakerphone during a call. This somehow messes with the NR algorithm, causing it to reset for a while.
- Take a small piece of tape or paper, and cover the NR microphone.
My choice was number 6, since it was the quickest and easiest, didn't involve other people messing with my phone, didn't result in me being without a phone for weeks (which may or may not have solved the problem), is a long term solution, won't void my warranty, and still allows my phone to remain protected by a quality case. This solution buys me some time, hopefully enough time for Samsung to release a firmware update to fix the issue and for it the update to make it's way down to RSA, or for someone else to come up with an quicker more solid solution.
