This image is unrelated to the article. [Generated with ChatGPT AI]
This image is unrelated to the article. [Generated with ChatGPT AI]

Apple has issued its first official response to the so-called "panic-full" crash issue affecting its newly released iPhone 18 Pro series, saying a software update is in the works amid growing user frustration.

Apple's announcement that it plans to resolve the issue through a software update has fueled speculation that the crashes may be linked to a bug in the company's latest operating system.

An Apple Korea official told the office of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jang-gyeom on Wednesday that the company is investigating the cause of the panic-full issue and has a software update planned. The official added that cases of the phenomenon occurring in South Korea are being addressed through AppleCare.

The panic-full phenomenon refers to a system error in which an iPhone suddenly freezes or shuts down and then automatically reboots. When the error occurs, a record labeled "panic-full" is left in the device's diagnostic log.

Reports of the panic-full issue emerged almost immediately after the iPhone 18 Pro series went on sale, with users claiming the crashes were occurring during Face ID authentication.

Apple's foldable phone, the iPhone Duo [AFP]
Apple's foldable phone, the iPhone Duo [AFP]

User anger has boiled over given the price of the devices. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at 1.99 million won ($1,460) for the 256-gigabyte model, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at 2.19 million won — making the malfunction all the more frustrating for buyers who paid a premium.

Online communities for Apple users, including the popular Asamo forum — short for "iPhone, iPad and Mac Users Community" — have been flooded with complaints. "Why is a 2 million won phone this unreliable?" and "I've already transferred all my data — what am I supposed to do now?" were among the reactions. Some users have reportedly requested device exchanges or refunds.

Apple's confirmation that a software update is planned has also drawn attention to claims that the panic-full crashes stem from a bug in iOS 27, the company's latest operating system.

A similar issue arose when the iPhone 16 series launched, and Apple resolved it through a software update.

However, the specific cause of the current problem and whether any hardware defect is involved have not been confirmed.


ko@heraldcorp.com