iPhone 18 Pro Max Repeated Call Crackling and Speaker Clarity Issues: Users Report Loud Popping Sounds

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are facing complaints from some owners about unusual audio problems, including repeated crackling, random popping sounds and concerns about speaker clarity.

Several users have reported hearing unexpected noises during phone calls, while others experience clicking or popping sounds during normal phone usage. In some cases, the crackling is reportedly so loud and unpleasant that users find it uncomfortable or even painful to hear.

The issue has attracted attention on Reddit and Apple-related discussion forums, with owners questioning whether the problem is related to iOS 27 or a hardware defect.

iPhone 18 Pro: Repeated Crackling During Phone Calls

One iPhone 18 Pro owner reported purchasing a brand-new device on September 19, 2026, from an Apple Authorized Reseller.

Despite being a new device, the owner experienced repeated crackling sounds during calls and raised concerns about the overall speaker experience.

Another iPhone 18 Pro Max owner reported random popping sounds while using the phone with iOS 27.0.1.

What makes these reports concerning is that the sound is not always a faint background noise. Some users describe the crackling as extremely loud, unpleasant and sharp.

One affected user expressed their frustration:

“I have the same issue! The crackling is so loud it actually hurts the ear! Apple please find a solution.”

These experiences raise questions about the audio quality and reliability of Apple’s latest Pro-series smartphones.

What Are Users Reporting?

Reddit discussions suggest that the problem may involve more than one type of audio behaviour.

Here are the main complaints shared by iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max owners.

1. Random popping and clicking sounds

Some owners report hearing short popping or clicking noises from the upper or lower speakers.

Interestingly, these sounds do not always occur while listening to music or watching videos. Some users report hearing them while:

• Switching between applications.
• Adjusting the volume.
• Turning Airplane Mode on and off.
• Changing screen brightness.
• Opening or closing the keyboard.
• Receiving notifications.

One Reddit user described the sound as similar to briefly disconnecting an auxiliary audio cable.

2. Crackling during phone calls

Another recurring complaint concerns crackling during cellular calls.

Some users report intermittent static-like sounds while talking to someone, even when the call otherwise appears normal.

This is particularly frustrating because the earpiece speaker is used directly next to the ear. A sudden, loud crackling noise can make conversations uncomfortable.

For users experiencing unusually loud or painful noises, this should not simply be dismissed as a minor audio glitch.

3. Speaker clarity and harsh high frequencies

Apart from random popping, some iPhone 18 Pro Max owners have raised concerns about speaker clarity.

One MacRumors forum participant compared the iPhone 18 Pro Max with the previous-generation iPhone 17 Pro Max.

According to their experience, the newer phone sounded sharper and more pronounced in higher frequencies, particularly when listening to speech, movies and music.

Some users have also described music at higher volumes as raspy or unpleasant.

However, these are subjective listening experiences and do not establish that every iPhone 18 Pro has inferior speakers.

Does iOS 27.0.1 Fix the Crackling Problem?

Apple released iOS 27.0.1 shortly after the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro series.

However, the update’s published release information focused on other issues, including a Face ID-related bug. It did not specifically announce a fix for speaker crackling or popping.

User feedback following the update has also been mixed.

Some owners reported improvement, while others continued experiencing the same audio problems.

This has led to speculation that the issue could be related to audio processing, sound routing or another software-level problem in iOS 27.

At present, there is no confirmed explanation establishing whether the problem is caused by software or hardware.

Possible Temporary Workarounds Reported by Users

Some Reddit and forum participants have suggested a few temporary workarounds.

These are user-reported observations, not officially confirmed fixes.

1. Switch Phone audio mode to Standard

One user reported experiencing less crackling after changing the Phone app’s audio mode from Voice Isolation to Standard.

2. Restart the iPhone

Some owners have suggested that restarting the device temporarily reduces the frequency of popping sounds. However, other users have reported that the issue can return after restarting.

3. Install the latest iOS update

Check Settings > General > Software Update and install any newer stable iOS release available for your device.

4. Contact Apple Support

If crackling continues, particularly during phone calls, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider for diagnosis.

If the sound is painfully loud, avoid repeatedly reproducing it at high volume.

Is It a Hardware Problem or an iOS 27 Software Bug?

This remains the biggest unanswered question.

There are reasons why some users suspect a software issue:

• Similar reports have appeared across different iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max devices.
• Some sounds occur during system interactions rather than conventional audio playback.
• Some users report temporary improvement after restarting or changing audio settings.
• Replacing an affected phone has reportedly not resolved the problem for every owner.

On the other hand, a hardware-related issue cannot be ruled out without proper testing.

Apple has not publicly confirmed the underlying cause in the reports discussed here.

Apple Needs to Address These Audio Complaints

The iPhone 18 Pro is a premium smartphone, and users reasonably expect reliable call quality and consistent speaker performance.

Random popping sounds, repeated crackling during conversations and uncomfortable high-frequency audio are problems that deserve proper investigation.

The fact that similar experiences have been reported by multiple owners makes it important for Apple to investigate whether a common software or hardware issue is involved.

A software update may resolve the problem if it is related to audio processing, but affected customers should not have to wait indefinitely without an explanation.

Have you experienced crackling or popping sounds on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max? Share your iPhone model, iOS version and when the sound occurs in the comments. Your feedback may help other users identify whether they are experiencing the same problem.