hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is servicing a smartphone with a…
A technician is servicing a smartphone with a non-functional earpiece speaker during calls, but the loudspeaker works fine. After testing, the earpiece speaker itself is determined to be good. Which component is most likely faulty?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that a non-functional earpiece must be caused by a physical speaker failure, leading candidates to overlook the audio IC as the root cause when the speaker tests good.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The mainboard audio IC (codec).
Since the earpiece speaker itself is confirmed good, the fault lies in the signal path between the mainboard and the speaker. The audio IC (codec) on the mainboard is responsible for processing and routing the audio signal specifically to the earpiece during calls. A failure in this component would prevent the earpiece from working while the loudspeaker, which uses a separate audio path, remains functional.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The charging port flex cable.
Why it's wrong here
The charging port flex cable primarily handles power delivery for charging, USB data transfer, and often integrates the primary microphone. While it might sometimes include connections for the loudspeaker or a headphone jack, it does not control the internal routing of audio signals between the earpiece and the main loudspeaker. A fault here would typically affect charging, data connectivity, or the main speaker/microphone, not selectively disable the earpiece while the loudspeaker remains functional.
- ✓
The mainboard audio IC (codec).
Why this is correct
The mainboard audio IC, or codec, is the central component responsible for processing, encoding, decoding, and routing all audio signals within the smartphone. It specifically controls which audio output device—be it the earpiece speaker, the loudspeaker, or a connected headphone jack—receives the sound. If the earpiece is nonfunctional while the loudspeaker operates correctly, it strongly indicates a fault within the audio IC's specific output channel or its control logic for the earpiece, rather than a general audio failure or a physical speaker defect.
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The SIM card slot.
Why it's wrong here
The SIM card slot is a dedicated component solely designed to house the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, which is essential for authenticating the device to a cellular network and storing subscriber-specific information. It has no functional or electrical connection to the smartphone's audio processing circuitry or its output components like speakers. Therefore, a malfunction in the SIM card slot would only impact network connectivity, not the device's ability to produce sound through its earpiece or loudspeaker.
- ✗
The battery connector.
Why it's wrong here
The battery connector is responsible for supplying electrical power from the device's battery to the mainboard and all its components. Issues with this connector would invariably lead to power-related problems, such as the device failing to power on, unexpected shutdowns, or charging difficulties. It does not play any role in processing or routing audio signals, and its malfunction would not selectively disable the earpiece while leaving the loudspeaker operational.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.