Glitches push iPhone users toward Android as social media erupts over recurrent issues

The iPhone is facing a new wave of user frustration as glitches across recent models become more widely discussed on social media. Users have described alarms failing to sound or turning into a whisper, screens flickering, and apps freezing after updates. The conversations have intensified since iOS 26 rolled out and spread across platforms like X and TikTok, with some owners saying the problems began after earlier updates as well. In one post, an aggrieved owner wrote that they would never purchase an Apple device again after a series of persistent glitches, while others lament missed alarms and slow responsiveness.

Beyond alarms, users report a range of issues: a persistent black dot of death appearing on screens, old browsing histories reappearing despite attempts to clear data, and a troubling mix of privacy lapses when browsing in incognito mode. Some devices show blank app icons, struggle to connect to mobile data or Wi‑Fi, or exhibit flaky music playback with apps like Spotify freezing. Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns highlighted a glitch that caused alarms to whisper on her iPhone, a post that went viral and underscored the broader discontent. The cluster of problems has fed a narrative that iPhones—long praised for reliability—are lagging behind the pace of rivals when it comes to software polish and hardware optimization. Analysts point to iOS 18-era and iOS 24-era frustrations combining with ongoing reports after the more recent iOS 26 update, fueling talk that the problems may signal more than a temporary hiccup.

Industry observers say the wave of glitches is complicating Apple’s image as a reliable premium device. Mark Patrick, director of technical content at Mouser Electronics, told the Daily Mail that growing frustration over bugs could erode Apple's status as the go‑to device for many users. Rebecca Crook, UK CEO of MSQ XD, said there is a mismatch between user expectations and the product, and that persistent issues threaten the brand's core promise of reliability. Jan Stryjak, head of European research at Counterpoint Research, noted that competition from brands such as HONOR, vivo, OPPO and Huawei may be driving the frustration as rivals push ahead in camera and battery performance. Still, many iPhone users remain loyal and continue to rely on the ecosystem.

But market data suggests the public relations challenge may not dent iPhone sales in the near term. Counterpoint Research has reported the iPhone 16 as the best-selling smartphone globally between July and September, accounting for about four percent of all smartphone sales. The firm expects Apple to become the world's top smartphone vendor for the first time in more than a decade, driven by continued upgrades to the iPhone 17 and overall demand for premium devices. Analysts warn that the bigger risk is erosion of trust among high-spending customers, rather than a mass exodus. Some say Apple could adjust its cadence—moving away from strictly annual launches toward a more flexible release strategy, similar to how it handles the iPad lineup—if the glitches persist without meaningful feature improvements.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment on the issues. The company has pressed deeper into artificial intelligence, with Apple Intelligence introduced in 2024 and rolled out in subsequent updates, though not all features have been released at once. Industry watchers say AI initiatives may help Apple maintain its advantage in privacy and on‑device processing, but the consumer experience remains central to the brand’s appeal. In the long arc of Apple’s history, the iPhone has repeatedly endured criticism during cycles of intense iteration, only to rebound when software, hardware, and services align in ways that users feel are meaningful.

Ultimately, the trajectory of Apple’s flagship device may hinge on whether the company can translate reliability into tangible innovations rather than incremental changes. Analysts suggest there is still substantial appetite for premium iPhones in many markets, and a loyal user base that values ecosystem coherence. Yet the latest glitches add a fresh dimension to the competitive pressure from Android manufacturers offering rapid camera and battery improvements. With Apple’s next moves in software cadence and hardware refinement looming, the industry will be watching to see whether this is a temporary blip or the start of a broader shift in consumer preference.