Several users of the iPhone 18 Pro have voiced concerns regarding an unexpected crackling noise emanating from the device’s speakers. Discussions on platforms such as MacRumors and Reddit highlight this emerging issue, particularly affecting the earpiece speaker in both the iPhone 18 Pro and the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Main Symptoms

Users describe the sound variably, often labeling it a crackle, faint tick, pop, or even random clicking noises. Experiences with the sound appear inconsistent; some users encounter it during:

• Routine app usage
• Web browsing and scrolling
• Receiving notifications
• Using the keyboard
• Making calls over cellular networks

Notably, toggling Airplane Mode on and off or rapidly adjusting screen brightness has been reported to either trigger or exacerbate the sound.

Recent Software Update

In an effort to resolve existing issues, Apple released an update, iOS 27.0.1, which addressed a bug that sometimes caused iPhone 18 Pro devices to restart when Face ID authentication failed. However, the update’s release notes did not reference a fix for the speaker crackling issue, and early feedback indicates that the update did not alleviate the problem for affected users.

Consumer Experience

Some customers have opted to return their iPhone 18 Pro devices, only to receive replacements that manifest the same speaker issues. As the exact cause of this disturbing sound remains unclear, many hope that a forthcoming software update may provide a solution.