iPhone 18 Pro Problems: Every Known Issue, What iOS 27.0.1 Fixed and What Needs Repair

iPhone 18 Pro problems, in short: the main iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max problems reported since launch are Face ID failures that freeze or restart the phone, a color artifact in some 2x photos, a freeze when opening Notification Center and Control Center together, green or pink vertical lines on some displays, AT&T “SOS only” on a small number of Pro Max units, and unconfirmed reports of speaker crackling. iOS 27.0.1 fixed the first three. The display lines and the AT&T SOS issue, once it has happened, look like hardware problems that need a warranty repair or replacement.

Below is a complete table of every known issue with its status as of 9 October 2026, what you can fix yourself, what needs Apple, how to use your return window and warranty, and how to avoid buying a used iPhone 18 Pro that has one of these faults. PhoneArena has called this “Apple’s most problematic launch in years” — but most owners have not hit any of these issues, and several are already fixed.

iPhone 18 Pro problems: the full list (as of 9 October 2026)

The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max went on sale on 18 September 2026 at $1,199 and $1,299 in the US. Apple released iOS 27.0.1 on 28 September, ten days after launch.

What did iOS 27.0.1 fix on the iPhone 18 Pro?

According to Engadget’s summary of Apple’s release notes, iOS 27.0.1 fixed three problems:

• Face ID freeze and restart. 9to5Mac first reported on 23 September that some iPhone 18 Pro phones froze and rebooted when Face ID failed to recognise the owner. Apple fixed the restart in 27.0.1.
• 2x photo color artifact. A color artifact could appear on photos taken at the 2x setting with the main camera at f/1.48 in certain lighting conditions. Apple described this as affecting a small number of units.
• Notification Center + Control Center freeze. The screen could freeze when both were opened together.

To install it, go to Settings › General › Software Update. Check that it installed in Settings › General › About › iOS Version. Our iOS 27 problems and fixes guide covers wider iOS 27 bugs that affect older iPhones too.

iPhone 18 Pro green or pink lines on the screen

This is the most worrying report because it does not look like software. Some owners have seen thin green or pink vertical lines on the display that remain after a restart and even after a full reset. TheStreet described it as “a likely hardware fault affecting a subset of display panels”, and noted that iOS 27.0.1 did not fix it. As of 29 September Apple had not commented.

What to do if you see display lines

1. Install iOS 27.0.1 and restart, to rule out a software glitch.
2. Take a screenshot. If the lines don’t appear in the screenshot, the fault is in the panel, not the image the phone is drawing — useful evidence for Apple.
3. Photograph the screen with another device so you have a record if the lines come and go.
4. Back up the phone and book an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider appointment, or start a request with Apple Support. A new phone with a display fault is a standard warranty case.

iPhone 18 Pro Max SOS on AT&T

On 2 October Apple confirmed that “a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network” could lose service and be unable to make calls. iOS 27.0.1 plus a carrier settings update are meant to prevent it; phones that have already lost service need a hardware replacement through Apple Support, an Apple Store or AT&T. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro uses Apple’s C2 modem and is not affected. The US Pro Max is the only new iPhone with a Qualcomm modem, but the modem has not been confirmed as the cause. Full details, including how to check your carrier settings version and the new 72.0.3 carrier bundle on the iOS 27.2 beta, are in our iPhone 18 Pro Max SOS on AT&T guide.

iPhone 18 Pro speaker crackling or popping

A MacRumors forum thread collects complaints from iPhone 18 Pro owners about crackling or popping from the speakers. This is not confirmed by Apple or by any outlet’s testing, and forum threads can over-represent problems. If you hear it:

• Update to iOS 27.0.1 and restart.
• Remove the case and clean the speaker grilles gently with a soft, dry brush.
• Test with a different app and at different volumes — crackle that only appears in one app is usually the content.
• If it persists with all audio, ask Apple to run diagnostics; consistent hardware crackle is a warranty fault.

Which iPhone 18 Pro problems need a repair?

How to use your return window and warranty

New iPhones bought from Apple in the US come with a 14-day return window, followed by Apple’s one-year limited warranty. For anyone who bought on launch day, 18 September, that return window closed on 2 October 2026. If you bought later, check the date on your receipt — you may still be able to return the phone rather than repair it.

For warranty claims:

1. Confirm your coverage. Check your purchase and warranty dates — see our guide to checking warranty by IMEI or serial number.
2. Back up to iCloud or a computer. A repair or replacement may erase the phone.
3. Collect evidence: photos or video of display lines, screen recordings of the speaker crackle, a screenshot of the SOS status bar.
4. Book through Apple Support (app, website or phone), an Apple Store, or — for the AT&T SOS issue — AT&T.
5. Don’t accept “update and wait” for hardware faults. For the SOS issue specifically, MacRumors reported some early warranty requests were denied before Apple’s statement; you can now point to Apple’s 2 October confirmation.

Buying a used iPhone 18 Pro? Avoid inheriting these problems

Early returns and quick resales mean used and “open box” iPhone 18 Pro listings are already appearing. Some will be perfectly fine. Others may be returned units with a display fault or a Pro Max that only works on Wi-Fi. Before you pay:

1. Run the free All-in-one Basic Info check on the IMEI or serial for model and Find My status.
2. Confirm model, color and storage with a Model + Color + Storage + FMI check — useful when a listing claims 1TB or 2TB.
3. Check warranty and repair history with a full Apple GSX report. It shows warranty status, purchase details, and replacement or repair case history, so you can see whether the unit has already been swapped or has an open case.
4. Check the blacklist with a GSMA blacklist check.
5. Test the known faults in person: look at a plain white and a plain gray screen for vertical lines; play music at high volume; set up Face ID; take a 2x photo; and on a Pro Max, turn off Wi-Fi and make a call to rule out SOS.

Our used iPhone buying checklist covers Activation Lock, carrier lock and safe payment in more detail.

Should you still buy an iPhone 18 Pro?

For most buyers, yes — with your eyes open. The software problems are fixed in iOS 27.0.1, and the hardware faults appear to affect a minority of units and are covered by warranty. If you are on AT&T and want the larger screen, the Pro Max SOS issue is worth watching, though Apple has a preventive fix and a replacement path. If you are still undecided, our iPhone 18 Pro vs 17 Pro comparison explains whether a used 17 Pro is the smarter buy.

What to do now

• Install iOS 27.0.1 (or later) today.
• On a Pro Max with AT&T, accept the carrier settings update in Settings › General › About.
• Check your screen against a plain white background and test the speakers.
• If you find a hardware fault, back up, gather evidence and book a warranty repair — sooner is better.
• Buying used? Check the IMEI’s warranty, replacement history, Find My and blacklist status first.

We will update this list as Apple releases more fixes or confirms new issues.