Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro lineup is running into early trouble in South Korea. Following their release in September 2026, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max accumulated roughly 1,500 exchanges and 50 refunds within just 11 days on the South Korean market.
The issue stems from a bug known as ‘Panic Full,’ which causes devices to freeze unexpectedly before automatically shutting down and restarting. Users have linked this behavior primarily to failed Face ID authentication attempts, though occasional app usage has also triggered it. AppleCare recorded these replacement and refund figures after customer inquiries came in between September 18 and September 28.
In response, Apple moved swiftly to deploy iOS 27.0.1 on September 29 to resolve the unexpected reboots. While that problem appears to be resolved, the patch has introduced a new hurdle, with users continually reporting widespread app crashes.
Apple confirmed that the Face ID-linked restart bug has been addressed, noting that any other concerns can be directed to Apple support. Meanwhile, consumers in South Korea who bought their devices through official Apple channels are reportedly eligible to request an exchange or refund within a 14-day window, regardless of whether the malfunction recurs.
Also Read: iPhone 18 Pro Charges Faster, But Why is Battery Life Shorter?
iPhone 18 Pro Replacements Rise
The total of 1,500 replacements is a notable metric, having accumulated over an 11-day span. While this data does not reveal the total number of global devices impacted, it highlights that the glitch was severe enough to prompt numerous early adopters to return their handsets.
Random reboots can quickly test the patience of consumers purchasing a premium new iPhone, who naturally anticipate flawless out-of-the-box performance. At the same time, Apple’s rapid deployment of a software patch demonstrates how quickly the company responded as complaints escalated.
In India, the iPhone 18 Pro carries a starting price of Rs. 1,64,990, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max begins at Rs. 1,79,900. Given such steep price points, purchasers demand a seamless experience. Apple will now need to determine if additional software patches can halt the restart complaints and prevent the trouble from surfacing in other regional markets.
