Some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Units Reportedly Have a Strange Speaker Issue

Apple's latest iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have only recently reached customers, but some owners are already reporting an unusual audio problem.

According to reports from users on Reddit and Apple-focused forums, certain iPhone 18 Pro models can produce a strange crackling, popping, clicking, or ticking sound from the earpiece speaker.

The issue does not appear to affect every device, and its exact cause remains unknown. It is also unclear whether the problem is related to hardware or software.

What Is the iPhone 18 Pro Speaker Problem?

Affected users describe an unusual sound coming from the phone's earpiece speaker.

Depending on the device, the noise has reportedly been described as:

• Crackling
• Popping
• Clicking
• Faint ticking
• Buzzing

Some owners say the sound occurs frequently, while others only hear it under specific circumstances.

Reports indicate that both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may be affected.

When Does the Strange Sound Occur?

The reported issue does not appear to follow a single pattern.

Some users have noticed the sound while:

• Browsing websites
• Using applications
• Scrolling through content
• Receiving notifications
• Typing on the keyboard
• Making cellular calls
• Adjusting screen brightness
• Turning Airplane Mode on or off

In some cases, quickly moving the brightness slider between its minimum and maximum levels reportedly causes the sound to appear.

These reports suggest that the problem may be connected to a software or system-level event rather than simply normal audio playback. However, there is currently not enough evidence to establish the exact cause.

Reports Continue Even After Device Replacement

One particularly interesting detail is that some owners reportedly returned their affected iPhones and received replacement units that exhibited the same behavior.

This could potentially indicate that the problem is not limited to an isolated batch of defective hardware.

However, this does not prove that the issue is software-related. More testing is required before the cause can be determined.

Could iOS Be Responsible?

The timing of the reports has raised questions about Apple's software.

Apple recently released iOS 27.0.1, which addressed a separate problem involving some iPhone 18 Pro models restarting after a failed Face ID authentication attempt. Apple confirmed that a software update was being prepared to resolve that issue.

The latest speaker reports are separate from the Face ID problem, and Apple's published release information does not identify a speaker fix.

Early reports also indicate that updating to iOS 27.0.1 did not consistently eliminate the crackling or clicking sound.

As a result, it remains too early to say whether a future iOS update will resolve the speaker issue.

iPhone 18 Pro Introduces Several Major Hardware Changes

The reported audio problem comes shortly after Apple introduced several significant changes to its Pro iPhone lineup.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max feature the new A20 Pro chip, an improved thermal management system, a redesigned Face ID system and a new 48MP Fusion main camera with variable aperture. Apple also says the Pro models deliver significant improvements in sustained performance and battery life.

The phones start with 256GB of storage, while higher-capacity options include 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.

Apple Has Not Confirmed the Speaker Issue

At the time of writing, Apple has not publicly announced a specific diagnosis or repair program for the reported speaker problem.

That means it is still impossible to determine how widespread the issue is or whether it affects a particular production batch.

For users experiencing the problem, monitoring future iOS updates and contacting Apple Support remain the practical options. If Apple determines that the problem is software-related, a future update could potentially address it.

If the cause turns out to be hardware-related, Apple may need to provide a different solution.

Not the First Reported iPhone 18 Pro Bug

The speaker reports follow another issue affecting some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max owners.

Earlier reports indicated that certain devices could freeze and restart following an unsuccessful Face ID attempt. Apple subsequently confirmed that a software update was being developed to address that problem.

There have also been reports of other unusual software behavior involving the new iPhone generation, although the severity and scope of these reports vary.

It is therefore important not to assume that every iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max has the same problems.

iPhone 18 Pro Pricing and Availability

Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 in the United States, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299. Both models are available with storage capacities ranging from 256GB to 2TB.

Apple offers the phones in burgundy, glacier, silver and black finishes.

Final Thoughts

The reported iPhone 18 Pro speaker crackling issue is unusual, but it is currently based on user reports rather than an official Apple diagnosis.

Some owners of both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have described clicking, popping or crackling sounds coming from the earpiece speaker. The noise can reportedly appear during different activities, including browsing, notifications, calls and certain system interactions.

At this stage, it remains unclear whether the cause is software, hardware, or a combination of factors. Reports of replacement devices showing similar behavior could point toward a broader issue, but more evidence is needed.

For now, affected users will have to wait for further investigation or a possible iOS update. Apple has not yet publicly confirmed the cause or announced a dedicated fix for the speaker problem.

Note: The speaker issue described above is based on user reports and has not been officially confirmed by Apple as a widespread hardware defect.