iPhone 18 Pro Max hit by cellular bug, Apple asks affected users to swap devices

Apple is advising some iPhone 18 Pro Max users to replace their devices due to a cellular connectivity bug affecting AT&T customers. While software updates have been released, they may not resolve the issue for devices that have already lost network access.
Why it matters
Hardware-specific defects in flagship devices can lead to significant consumer frustration and costly recall or replacement logistics for major tech companies.
MUMBAI: A phone that cannot make a phone call has landed Apple in an awkward spot. Apple is asking some AT&T customers to replace their iPhone 18 Pro Max after a cellular bug left affected devices unable to connect to mobile networks. The $1,299 iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale about two weeks ago. According to a Bloomberg report, some customers on AT&T have lost cellular service, preventing them from making calls, using mobile data or sending and receiving text messages. For affected users, the phones remain largely unusable away from Wi-Fi. Apple has not disclosed how many customers have experienced the problem. “We have identified an issue affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network that may cause a device to lose service and be unable to make calls,” an Apple spokesperson told Bloomberg News.
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