The iPhone 18 Pro Max has had several reported problems since launch. Apple has fixed three with iOS 27.0.1. The earpiece crackle and camera-ring marks are still open, and the serious AT&T “no service” fault has only been seen on US-market phones. Canadian buyers face fewer of the headline risks, but you should still test your phone early.

The status table at a glance

Issue	Models	Status	Applying in Canada?
Freeze and restart after a failed Face ID scan	Pro, Pro Max	Fixed in iOS 27.0.1	Yes
Color artefact in some 2x photos	Small number of Pro, Pro Max	Fixed in iOS 27.0.1	Yes
Touchscreen freeze (Notification and Control Center open together)	Any iPhone on iOS 27	Fixed in iOS 27.0.1	Yes
Total loss of service on AT&T	US Pro Max	Prevention updates; hit phones need replacing	No reports
Earpiece crackle, tick or pop	Pro, Pro Max	Open, no word from Apple	Yes
Pale rings around rear cameras	Burgundy and Black	Open, no word from Apple	Yes
Green or pink screen lines	A few owners	Unconfirmed	Unknown

Three of the seven reported problems are fixed by software, and the most serious one, loss of mobile service, has no software fix for phones already hit. The “Canada?” column is my own assessment from the sources below. 

What did iOS 27.0.1 fix?

iOS 27.0.1 is the first update after launch. It fixes three problems: the Face ID restart, a color artefact in some 2x photos, and a touchscreen freeze. If your phone shows 27.0.1 or later under Settings → General → About, those three should be behind you.

The Face ID restart bug

Owners reported that when a Face ID scan failed, the phone froze and then rebooted. It could be triggered by failing a scan while opening a locked app, and Apple shipped the fix on September 28. 

The early scale looked real. In one Reddit thread Macworld reviewed, 22 of 24 direct replies said they had the same or a similar problem. Apple’s update targets the restart. It does not promise to fix every missed unlock. 

There may be a hardware angle. Reports say Apple shrank the notch by moving the flood illuminator, part of the Face ID system, under the screen. That is a plausible cause for scan trouble, not a confirmed one. 

The 2x photo color artefact

A patch of the wrong color could appear in 2x photos. Apple’s notes say it happened in certain lighting at the widest f/1.48 aperture setting on a small number of phones. The 18 Pro is the first iPhone with a variable aperture, so this is a new kind of bug. Update, and it should stop. 

The touchscreen freeze

Opening Notification Center and Control Center at the same time could leave the screen unresponsive. The fix isn’t limited to the 18 Pro, so older iPhones on iOS 27 could have been affected too. 

Does the AT&T “SOS” problem affect Canadian iPhone 18 Pro Max phones?

No, not as far as Apple has reported. The “SOS” outage has only been seen on US-market iPhone 18 Pro Max phones on AT&T’s network. Canadian units use Apple’s own C2 modem instead of the Qualcomm modem in US models. Apple says it has seen no sign of the problem on other carriers.

That is the single biggest difference between a US and a Canadian reader. iPhone in Canada reports that US models carry a Qualcomm modem while units sold in Canada and everywhere else use Apple’s C2. The same source notes that nobody has shown the modem difference is the cause. 

For context on how serious it is for US owners, Apple says phones that have already lost service need a hardware replacement, and a carrier settings update will download over 14 days. 

If you imported a US phone, you’re in a different position. A US-market Pro Max has the US modem, and Apple’s warranty may restrict service to the country of purchase. Check Apple’s warranty terms before you buy one.

Why is my iPhone 18 Pro Max speaker crackling?

Some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max owners report crackling, ticking or popping, mostly from the earpiece speaker at the top of the screen. iOS 27.0.1 didn’t fix it, and Apple hadn’t acknowledged it as of mid-October. It may be software, but no one has confirmed the cause.

Here’s what owners describe:

• The sound is mainly from the earpiece rather than the bottom speaker, and both the Pro and Pro Max are affected. 
• Some hear it constantly. Others hear it during notifications, keyboard pop-ups or cellular calls.
• On some phones, switching Airplane mode on and off or quickly changing brightness reportedly triggers it. 
• Some people returned a phone and got a replacement with the same noise. 

That last point matters. A second unit with the same crackle points toward software, not a random bad part. But it isn’t proof.

There’s also a useful precedent. In 2017, iPhone 8 owners reported crackling during calls. Apple fixed it with iOS 11.0.2 for a small number of iPhone 8 and 8 Plus devices. That doesn’t mean the same will happen now. It does show that earpiece crackle has been fixed by software before. 

There’s a counterweight too. Tom’s Guide tested both phones and couldn’t reproduce the problem. It also heard that Apple and Best Buy told some owners it was likely software. So this is real for some owners, rare for others, and not yet explained. 

What you can do:

• Update to the latest iOS.
• Try the same audio in another app.
• Test with headphones, then without.
• Briefly remove your case.
• Record the sound and note when it happens.
• If it repeats, contact Apple Support while you’re still inside your return window.

What are the marks around the camera on Burgundy and Black models?

Some owners of Burgundy and Black phones report pale rings around the rear camera lenses. Some say the marks were there out of the box, others that they appeared later, and cleaning doesn’t always remove them. Apple hasn’t commented. 

Nobody has shown the cause. It could be handling marks, coating wear or a finish issue, and photos alone can’t tell you which.

Take a daylight photo the day you unbox it. If the ring is there from the start, that’s your evidence for a return or exchange. Don’t scrub it with harsh cleaners. Apple’s cleaning guidance says to avoid products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. 

Are the green and pink screen lines real?

Mostly unconfirmed. A few posts claim vertical green or pink lines. In one widely shared clip, the green line appeared behind the Wi-Fi icon, which doesn’t happen with a real hardware fault. Nobody has ruled out drops or pressure on the phones in the videos. 

Treat it as a rumor until more owners show it. If you see a line on your own phone, restart it, update, and take a clear video.

Overheating, battery drain and Control Center glitches

You may also have seen reports of overheating, quick battery drain and glitches. Tom’s Guide says it saw these reports and that most appear to have been resolved by iOS 27.0.1. The evidence here is thin, and I found no official statement on a hardware cause. 

New iPhones also run hot and drain fast for the first day or two while they index photos and restore apps. If it keeps up after a few days on the latest iOS, that’s worth a call to Apple.

What does “a small number of phones” actually mean?

Apple’s statements say “small number.” No one has published a defect rate. Not Apple, not the carriers, not the reviewers.

That means a viral thread isn’t a failure rate, and “Apple says it’s rare” isn’t proof either. Reddit and forum posts over-represent unhappy owners. Silent majorities don’t post.

A fair reading: three issues were real enough for Apple to patch, one serious fault is confirmed for a US subset, and the rest are credible reports without a cause. That’s a normal launch, not a disaster. It’s also why you should test your own phone.

The 15-Day Test Plan for Canadian buyers

Original framework. If your brand has tested units, add your own results here.

Apple Canada’s sales policy says you can return an undamaged iPhone with its included accessories within 15 days of purchase for a full refund. Carrier-financed purchases and other retailers may follow different rules, so confirm yours the day you buy. 

Use that window. Here’s a simple plan:

• Day 1: Update. Install the latest iOS and any carrier settings update.
• Day 1: Photograph the camera area in daylight, before fitting a case.
• Day 1: Test Face ID on a locked app several times, including a deliberate fail.
• Day 1–2: Make three real calls. Listen closely to the earpiece. Check signal bars and mobile data away from Wi-Fi.
• Day 2–3: Trigger the crackle checks. Toggle Airplane mode, adjust brightness, and open the keyboard while listening.
• Day 3–7: Use it normally, and note heat, battery and freezes.
• Day 10: Decide. If a problem repeats, contact Apple Support and keep your notes and recordings.
• Day 13: Don’t wait. Leave margin before day 15.

If your phone is affected: what to do in Canada

• Update and restart first. It fixes three of the known problems.
• Document it. Take a video or recording and note the iOS version and when it happens.
• Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. If you bought on a carrier plan, contact your carrier about return rules too.
• Ask for diagnostics. Apple Support has run diagnostics and replaced phones in some reported cases.
• Stay inside your return window while this is happening.

Should you buy now or wait?

Buy now if you can test it in the 15-day window and you’re comfortable updating and checking it. Wait if an earpiece crackle would bother you, or if you can’t easily return or replace the phone.

On price, Apple Canada starts the Pro Max at $1,899, which is $150 above last year’s model. Apple offers 0% financing over 24 months and trade-in credit of up to $1,415. Most Canadian carriers list the Pro Max at $1,953.60, except Freedom Mobile and Vidéotron. Buying direct from Apple or Freedom is typically the cheapest outright. 

Conclusion

Most of the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s early problems have been addressed through iOS software updates, while a few issues, such as battery drain variability and occasional heating during heavy use, remain open and are still being monitored. For Canadian buyers, Apple’s one-year limited warranty, Consumer Protection laws, and Apple Authorized Service Providers across the provinces mean most faults can be resolved without extra cost. If you notice a persistent issue, update to the latest iOS first, then book a Genius Bar or authorized repair appointment before the warranty window closes.

FAQs

Does iOS 27.0.1 fix every iPhone 18 Pro Max problem?

No. It fixes the Face ID restart, the 2x photo color artefact and the touchscreen freeze. The earpiece crackle and camera-ring marks remain open.

Does the AT&T SOS problem affect Canadian phones?

Apple has only seen it on US iPhone 18 Pro Max phones on AT&T. Canadian units use a different modem, and I found no Canadian reports.

Can I return an iPhone 18 Pro Max in Canada?

Apple Canada allows iPhone returns within 15 days for a full refund if the phone is undamaged. Carriers and other retailers may differ, so check your receipt.

Is the speaker crackle a hardware or software problem?

Unknown. Some replacement phones had the same noise, which hints at software, but Apple hasn’t said.

Do the Pro and Pro Max share the same problems?

Mostly yes. Face ID, crackle and camera-ring reports cover both. The AT&T fault is Pro Max only, on US phones.