The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Some iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max owners have reported intermittent crackling, ticking, popping or clicking from their speakers. Reports published September 29–30, 2026 describe an unresolved, anecdotal issue—not a confirmed widespread defect—and do not establish a cause or dependable fix.
What sounds and symptoms have owners described?
Accounts include faint ticks or pops, random clicking, crackling and, in one report, raspy audio at high volume. One owner compared a noise to “almost as if someone is pulling out an aux cord,” as quoted by Macworld. These are individual descriptions, not a technical diagnosis.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Some owners identify the earpiece speaker; others are unsure whether the sound comes from the upper or lower speaker. Reports cover both iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, but do not show how many devices are affected.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhen does the crackling happen?
The reported circumstances vary. Owners have mentioned app switching, volume changes, voice dictation, notifications, the keyboard appearing, cellular calls, toggling Airplane Mode and quick brightness changes. These accounts do not establish a consistent trigger, and the reporting does not confirm that the sound occurs in any one particular situation.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Does iOS 27.0.1 fix the speaker issue?
There is no dependable fix established in the available reports. The accounts of iOS 27.0.1 are mixed: one report says early feedback found no improvement, while another describes an individual who said updating helped. MacRumors noted that iOS 27.0.1 had been released for a separate Face ID-related restart bug; its report does not identify a speaker fix in that update. An individual report of improvement does not establish that the update resolves the issue for other owners.
Is this a widespread defect or a hardware problem?
The available coverage supports saying that some owners have reported the sound, not that it is widespread or affects all iPhone 18 Pro models. The reports aggregate forum and social-media anecdotes rather than a controlled survey, so they provide no reliable estimate of prevalence. They also do not establish whether the cause is software or hardware.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
What should affected owners do?
Macworld recommended contacting Apple about an affected device. The reports do not confirm a particular repair, replacement, settings change or update as a remedy, so contact Apple rather than assuming any one step will solve the problem. As of Macworld’s September 30, 2026 coverage, Apple had not made a public statement about the complaints.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteQuick Recap
Rank #3
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
