Redditors say the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max keep making a popping noise from their speakers, and Apple hasn’t said anything about it yet. The complaints have piled up across Reddit and Apple forums, with users describing a sound that feels like an aux cable being pulled out while you’re listening to music.
The noise isn’t subtle. One Redditor described it as sounding “as if someone is pulling out an aux cord and you hear a brief click pop noise.” That user said the popping occurred during everyday activities: playing music, switching apps, and receiving notifications.
What Users Are Saying
Multiple users think the problem comes from the earpiece speaker, the small driver built into the top of the phone that handles calls and alerts. Mashable found complaints about both the Pro and Pro Max models.
Some users reported that an Apple Store employee told them the issue was most likely a software problem that would be fixed with an update. That didn’t happen. The latest iOS 27.0.1 update, released earlier this week, did not fix the audio problem for some of the users who reported experiencing it, according to posts on Reddit.
At least one user said they exchanged their iPhone for a new one due to the problem. The exchange did not help. Their replacement phone had the same exact issue.
Mashable’s Own Test
Mashable reached out to Apple to ask about a possible speaker issue and will update this piece if the company responds. For now, the company has not commented publicly on the complaints.
The publication also noted that multiple Mashable reporters have a new iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max device. None of those staff members have experienced any audio popping issues themselves. That split — reporters with no trouble and users reporting widespread problems — is the core of what makes this story strange.
Why This Matters
A popping noise from a speaker is not a minor annoyance. It can break the flow of music, interrupt conversations, and generally make a phone feel broken. The fact that a replacement phone carried the same issue suggests the problem may not be isolated to a single unit.
Until Apple weighs in, users are left with a frustrating decision: live with the noise, or replace the phone again and hope the second attempt works. Neither option is ideal.
What Apple Needs To Do
Apple needs to respond to the complaints. The company has not yet addressed the reports.
An official statement could confirm whether the issue is isolated to a few units or part of a broader problem. If it is a software bug, an update could resolve it quickly. If it is a hardware issue, Apple will need to offer repairs or replacements.
The Verdict So Far
The evidence so far points to a real problem. Multiple users have reported the same issue, and at least one exchange failed to fix it. That suggests the popping is not a fluke but a pattern.
Until Apple weighs in, users are left waiting on a fix — and hoping the next update finally resolves the problem.
Key Facts Box
- Models: iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
- Update: iOS 27.0.1, released earlier this week
- Response: Apple has not commented publicly on the complaints
- Reporters tested: Multiple Mashable staff with no popping issues
The Reddit reports are troubling, and they deserve a response. Apple has not denied the issue, but it has not confirmed it either. For now, users are left waiting on a fix — and hoping the next update finally resolves the problem.
Source material: “iPhone 18 Pro and Max speaker popping noises reported by Redditors,” Mashable.
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