i guess it has to be for different regions because my call quality is awesome..my dad even asked me while i was talking to him what was i doing different because he could hear me so much better, thats when i told him i got a new phone..i havent had any crackling or anything like that with the exception of listening to headphones on pandora..i get a white noise, scretching sound every now and then but other than that, this is definitely the best phone ive had.