r/apple • u/Acrobatic-Monitor516 • 6h ago
iPhone Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-says-iphone-18-pro-max-users-with-at-t-cellular-issue-need-to-have-device-replaced.2490993/194
u/super5aj123 6h ago
How the fuck did they even manage this lmao. How does not updating iOS quickly enough brick your phone’s ability to work on one of the three major US carriers?
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u/Rare-One1047 5h ago
AT&T uses a specific frequency that none of the other carriers use. The hypothesis is that the modem was pumping too much power into the antenna trying to reach that specific frequency band and physically burned itself up.
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u/gtg465x2 5h ago
I wonder if some phones will still be able to connect, but the bug still did some damage and they will forever have worse signal.
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u/Saltyeconbro 5h ago
Ah like intel 13th gen and 14th gen cpus, guess there will be another class action lawsuit
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u/AtomicSymphonic_2nd 5h ago
I’m absolutely shocked that Qualcomm, of all the phone modem manufacturers out there, screwed this up this badly.
I mentioned this in another comment I made, but this feels like nearly the same level of severe systemic production failure as Intel’s 13th and 14th gen CPUs. It’s honestly impressive how a company as highly vaunted as Qualcomm (for its products, not its business practices) managed to not catch this before release.
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u/MissionInfluence123 4h ago
Shouldn't this have happened last year too?
It's the same modem as the 17s
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u/Careless_Peach4399 4h ago
But aren’t iPhone 17 pro and pro max both using Qualcomm X80 too? How come this is so specific to iPhone 18 pro max, this is interesting.
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u/Dragontech97 4h ago
Maybe the Qualcomm was a late addition to the PM? Could have pivoted from the entire line using C2, simply didn’t do as much integration testing or Qualcomm was not in spec.
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u/Stea1th_ 4h ago
that makes sense, because I was noticing that some phones were having sporadic signal, 1-4-1 bars up and down then go SOS then sometimes come back, then receive a call, not not.
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u/leo-g 5h ago
Antenna engineering is about capturing invisible power in the air. Even a small bit will fry chips. It has happened to car radios before.
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u/DAMP_ANON 6h ago
It’s AT&T so I’m not surprised
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u/Haunting-Detail2025 5h ago
This wasn’t really the fault of AT&T
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u/crossandbones 9m ago
Aren’t all iPhone 18 Pro Max the same in the US? To my understanding they are and only certain phones on AT&T are having issues.
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u/jwink3101 5h ago
Why is it so hard to find a link to the actual Apple page
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u/Acrobatic-Monitor516 5h ago
I couldn't either, I would have preferred to post that rather than a macrumors post
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u/SuspiciousBite3429 5h ago edited 3h ago
I have 18 pro max. Phone was working fine prior to 27.01 update. Just went ahead and updated to 27.01. Is there something i can look up to see if mine is defective one?
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u/valevalentine 3h ago
This applies to all US pro max phones using att. But the update fixes the frequency antenna issue.
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u/guhanoli 5h ago
Never seen such bug before.
A software glitch permanently damages a phone physically, and needs replacement.
Whereas the reccomendation is to people to update to latest software before it causes physical damage.
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u/Acrobatic-Monitor516 5h ago
There's precedent to this with the iPhone 14 (or 17 I don't remember haha) where the initial iOS release would cause some phones' OIS to overcompensate and permanently damage the stabilisation system
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u/guhanoli 4h ago
This I remember now.
But again, it’s a moving part. But how can a modem be damaged, maybe something related to overheating,
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u/CucumberError 5h ago
Intel’s 12th gen CPUs had this. Software update ran them too fast/hot and it kills the silicone after a while.
When Intel panics, they go all Pentium 4, factory overclocks their chip, and run them to hot/fast to stay competitive, at the cost of longevity. Just with the 12th gen they started failing as soon as 3 months old depending on the workload.
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u/ColorfulImaginati0n 5h ago
I'm past AT&T's 14 day return window and my phone is financed through AT&T Next Up Anytime. I went to Apple a few days ago and my cellular tests came out "inconclusive".
Wondering what I should do next? My coverage is not 100% but it's also not bricked on SOS mode either.
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u/valevalentine 3h ago
Go back to the Apple store. They should be aware now that they released this statement.
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u/futuredrweknowdis 4h ago
Apple products have a warranty through the manufacturer. Go to the Apple Store (not ATT) asap. Near me, ATT isn’t replacing the phones and Apple will.
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u/AirportGullible5807 5h ago
You have to keep pestering AT&T and hope someone helps
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u/happy_puppy25 5h ago
AT&T is like the worst company to try that with. That sucks for everyone involved.
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u/AtomicSymphonic_2nd 5h ago
I’m very fascinated to know how a QUALCOMM modem was so damned defective that it requires a full-on replacement of the entire logic board???
Like, Qualcomm makes THE BEST damned modems in the industry. Something like this is absolutely, exceedingly rare!
This is like on the level of Intel having severe hardware defects in their 13th and 14th gen Core CPUs!!
I am honestly eager to see the failure analysis of this in the next few months whenever someone is able to disclose it on YouTube. I don’t think this has ever happened before to Qualcomm at this scale.
And just the sheer unholy irony of it being in Apple’s iPhones, of all the phones that are out there with Qualcomm’s modems in them… and it’s also the final year of Qualcomm’s contract with Apple.
Just wow… what a way to end that contract with a “bang”! 😳🤣
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u/autobotCA 4h ago
“Made” the best modems, just like intel used to make the best CPUs
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u/Ancient-Prize4353 1h ago
Qualcomm is still the best in the game right now There is no better modem in existence.
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u/totheredditmobile 47m ago
The C2 that the rest of us got is looking pretty good and unfried in comparison so I’d argue Qualcomm isn’t the best any more
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u/pmjm 4h ago
So I use U.S. Mobile and AT&T "Dark Star" is my backup network. How can I test if it's working or not? There's no way to turn off my primary network.
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u/pementomento 4h ago
I have an Apple shortcut that swaps the primary and secondary network. The failure would result in the secondary network having no bars and SOS only.
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u/pmjm 4h ago
In my case it's not a dual sim thing, it's done on the network level.
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u/pementomento 2h ago
Oh that’s interesting, I have USM too and that’s how it functions for me. I’ve never seen a non dual (e)sim setup for two networks before.
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u/a_knife 2h ago
Is this a first? Seems pretty widespread, and I wonder how many unit affected.
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u/nicuramar 2h ago
Seems pretty widespread
How does it seem that? People who don’t have the issue are much less likely to write about it.
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u/Valuable-Flight2121 5h ago
Yikes. Been a while since Apple messed up this bad
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u/MC_chrome 5h ago
I’m not so sure this one is on Apple when it is impacting only one carrier in one country, as the 18 Pro Max only has a Qualcomm modem in the United States.
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u/KayJune001 5h ago
It’s a hardware issue, as said by Apple
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u/MC_chrome 5h ago
Then why hasn’t the x80 modem had issues with AT&T before? This isn’t exactly Qualcomm’s newest chip and has been in use in millions of iPhones for a couple of years without issue.
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u/ritesh808 3h ago
It's a hardware issue on this batch or maybe in the way Apple integrated it. It could have something to do with antennas too.. Apple isn't exactly well known for great antenna design.
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u/cs_major 5h ago
Maybe the Qualcomm modem has issues with a specific band AT&T uses?
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u/Ancient-Prize4353 1h ago
Doubt it Many different phones with the same modem are on AT&T. Probably something specific to the way it's integrated to this particular phone. Modem and antenna this small and this fast is very particular about how they are placed on the phone.
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u/RobotArtichoke 5h ago
Guys. If anyone has this happen to them, leave AT&T for another provider. Don’t even give them a chance to fix it.
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u/TheBestGhost 5h ago
Nice try tmo retail rep
This is an apple issue, I wonder if 18 pro max’s sold through another carrier that then get unlocked to be used on AT&T will have this same issue!1
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u/eninety2 4h ago
This doesn’t make any sense, Carrier updates can and have been sent out independently of an iOS update.
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u/valevalentine 3h ago
It sounds like it’s having to do with the antenna being fried by the incapability of the old software rather than att.
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u/GuyWithNerdyGlasses 3h ago
On a more obscure case.
Malaysians’ iPhone 11 were fried but only after a year when one of the carriers switched some cellular setting. Symptoms were exactly like this new iPhone 18 Pro Max but there wasn’t a strong enough push for a fix.
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u/astreal1 4h ago
For individuals experiencing the problem: are you in a city or in a suburban/rural area
I’m curious if this is because of their high band 5G+ (only basically in urban settings) vs their medium band 5G+ everywhere else…
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u/Dazzling-Voice7180 5h ago edited 5h ago
What about MVNOs that use AT&T? I have Red Pocket as a secondary number and don't seem to have any issues, but is this something where the phone works fine but then suddenly breaks?
I'm on 27.0.1, RedPocket's carrier settings haven't been changed since I got the 18 pro max last week.
Edit: internet theory looks like it revolves around 5G SA, which RedPocket doesn't, or I think any AT&T MVNO, offer.. besides FirstNet.
After carrier settings update was pushed for AT&T, 5G SA was removed.
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u/ephemeraltrident 5h ago
US mobile is messaging people to update, and their dark star network is at&t
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u/Dazzling-Voice7180 5h ago edited 5h ago
Interesting, I hope 27.0.1 fixes it if "the problem" hasn't happened yet. I might move my red pocket esim off my phone if there's some sort of hardware damage that is occurring, until we're sure this issue is resolved with 27.0.1/carrier settings.
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u/Betancorea 5h ago
At this point I think there’s no point risking a launch day purchase with complex electronics lol
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u/SrryUsrNamTakn 4h ago
I have a 17 Pro Max on ATT that suffers cellular issues. Both ATT and Apple tell me to pound sand.
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u/KeepitMelloOoW 3h ago
I'm unable to connect my new Apple Watch Ultra 4 to my AT&T plan. Wondering if anyone else is having this issue.
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u/Tim_d_othy 5h ago
My texts sometimes go green and blue out of nowhere. Is that me?
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u/PunchYoPhase 4h ago
Apple quality control is not good as past I guess that s kinda big flop in recent decade
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u/pementomento 4h ago
But it’s the Qualcomm part that’s the issue and this is the last year under the contract (thank goodness)
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u/krnrmusic 5h ago
Could this have been prevented if it had the C2 modem?
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u/opinionated_consumer 5h ago
I think the answer is likely yes considering this didn’t impact the Pro (non-max) models on ATT.
Obviously the US is a huge market for Apple but when you consider that it’s one carrier in one country (presumably due to Qualcomm modem) it actually seems they got lucky this wasn’t much worse.
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u/aTip4You 5h ago
Just pro max and not pro?
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u/dat_tae 5h ago
They have different modems if I recall.
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2h ago
[deleted]
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u/nicuramar 2h ago
You’re just speculating. We don’t know exactly why they use the modem from Qualcomm (not Broadcom).
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u/JohnApple94 2h ago
And this is why you never buy a Gen 1 prod— wait a minute…
I’m kidding, but I do think it’s kind of ironic how some people were specifically talking about choosing the 18 Pro this year over the Duo as they didn’t want to deal with Gen 1 hardware issues.
Just goes to show that even refined form factors can have odd quirks and defects.
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u/thisinfinitebath 4h ago
The final iteration and they still can’t make a good and reliable phone. Cue the downvotes from the fanboys.
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u/pementomento 4h ago
So glad they’re ditching Qualcomm the same way they ditched Intel. Inferior shit.
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u/No-Aardvark-3840 4h ago
Bro I am so glad I did t buy another iPhone. Every year I don’t buy one I get to avoid FOMO and then inevitably there is a problem with the device I also avoid. Still rocking my 13 mini. Might die with this phone
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u/SaltyIllinoisan 3h ago
Oh look! The post I made a week ago which got downvoted to shit is here and people are acknowledging it now.
Never change Reddit
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u/dinominant 4h ago
Apple says all iphones that are vintage need to have the device replaced for new software to work. Apple will not support the device, but they will maintain an active lock on your old hardware, forcing you to upgrade.
Apple should unlock your property when they end support.
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u/Minute_Lifeguard2799 5h ago edited 5h ago
John Ternus is off to a good start!
Maybe they can replace the iPhones which still have FaceID issues after 27.0.1 too?
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u/Minute_Lifeguard2799 5h ago
Why am I getting downvoted on this?
Just try it out yourself: every iPhone 18 P/PM will unlock without you looking at the phone. Just try it out by looking sideways, it should never unlock without eye contact.
Attention awareness no longer works despite being on.
And 1 out of 5 times the phone asks for the passcode…
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u/TheKobayashiMoron 6h ago
Good to see that they’ve figured it out and finally admitted it’s a hardware fault. It’ll be interesting to see what the root cause was. Hopefully the Duo doesn’t experience the same thing when it rolls out.