iPhone 18 Pro Speaker Crackling or Popping? Here's What We Know
Some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max owners hear clicks and pops from the earpiece speaker. What triggers it, whether updates fix it, and when to ask Apple for a swap.
If your new iPhone 18 Pro makes a faint tick, pop or random clicking from the top speaker, you're not imagining it. Owners of both the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max have been reporting it since launch.
What people are hearing
Most reports point at the earpiece speaker (the one at the top of the screen). People hear it:
- Constantly, in a quiet room
- While scrolling websites or using apps
- When notifications arrive or the keyboard pops up
- During phone calls
On affected phones, turning Airplane Mode on and off or quickly changing brightness can trigger the sound. That's a handy way to test yours.
Has Apple fixed it?
Not that we know of. Apple hasn't commented on the speaker noise. iOS 27.0.1 fixed a Face ID restart bug, but its notes didn't mention the speaker, and early feedback said it didn't help.
It's still unclear whether it's a software bug or a hardware fault. Some people who swapped their phone say the replacement had the same problem.
What to do
- Update to the latest iOS: Settings → General → Software Update. iOS 27.2 is out with more fixes. A software cause would be fixed this way.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Take off the case and any screen protector and listen again. A protector pressing on the earpiece grille can buzz.
- Record it. Use another phone to capture the sound so you can show Apple.
- Contact Apple Support through the Support app. Ask them to run diagnostics.
Should you return it?
If you're inside the 14-day return window and the noise bothers you, a refund is the safest choice. Swapping can land you a unit with the same issue.
If you're outside the window, it's covered by the one-year warranty, so log it with Apple now, even if you decide to wait for a software fix. Having a record helps.
Other iPhone 18 Pro issues owners report
- Face ID failures causing freezes and restarts: fixed in iOS 27.0.1
- Green and pink vertical lines on the screen that a reset doesn't clear. This looks like hardware; get it replaced.
- Pale or pink rings around the camera lenses on burgundy and black models
- Paint chipping on the frame
Many owners have none of these, so don't panic. But if you're within your return window, check your phone now.
Comparing models? See iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro.
