Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro is facing a third early issue, and this one currently lacks a clear fix. Several owners report hearing crackling, popping or ticking sounds from the speaker, and Apple’s initial software update has not eliminated the problem.
Reports indicate the noise affects both the iPhone 18 Pro and the Pro Max. Owners have described the issue across online forums and social media, with some saying the sound occurs constantly and others noticing it only in particular situations — while scrolling web pages, receiving notifications, typing, or during phone calls. A number of users also observed that toggling Airplane Mode on and off can trigger the crackling or popping.
Apple has not issued an official statement about these speaker reports. The iOS 27.0.1 update, released on September 28, did not include any notes about a speaker fix, and early feedback suggests the update did not resolve the problem for affected users. At this point, it remains unclear whether the root cause is software or hardware. Some owners who exchanged phones under warranty say replacement units produced the same noises, which complicates efforts to pinpoint the source.
A rough start for a $1,199 phone
The iPhone 18 Pro launched on September 18, priced at $1,199 for the Pro and $1,299 for the Pro Max — an increase of $100 over the previous year’s models. Within days of the release, other issues surfaced. Some owners experienced intermittent freezing and unexpected restarts when Face ID failed to unlock apps protected behind biometric authentication. Apple later addressed that specific problem with the iOS 27.0.1 update, describing it as a software bug, so those affected did not require hardware replacements.
Separately, a number of Pro Max owners reported cellular connectivity problems that prevented them from connecting to one major carrier for calls, texts and data. That report did not include a confirmed fix at the time. Taken together, these early reports illustrate a rocky rollout for a high-priced device, especially for buyers who expected a trouble-free experience at launch.
What to do if you have one
If you experienced the Face ID–related restarts, installing iOS 27.0.1 via Settings > General > Software Update should resolve that specific issue. However, this update has not, according to early reports, fixed the speaker crackling observed by some owners. Because swapping phones does not always eliminate the noise, a hardware-only explanation is not certain. There remains a possibility that a future software update could mitigate or resolve the speaker behavior if it proves to be software-related.
For customers who find the speaker noise unacceptable and want another option, Apple’s standard 14-day return window after purchase still applies. Launch-day buyers approaching the end of that return window should be aware it may expire soon. If you decide to pursue service or a replacement, document the issue clearly when contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store: describe when the sound appears, how frequently it occurs, and any steps that seem to trigger it, such as toggling Airplane Mode.
At this stage, owners and prospective buyers should monitor official software updates and Apple support channels for any announcements or patches addressing the speaker noise. Until Apple provides more information, users experiencing the issue will need to weigh the available options — software troubleshooting, service and replacement through Apple, or returning the device within the allowable return period.