The beginning of the end for the iPhone? Apple's smartphones are glitching more than EVER - forcing frustrated users to make the switch to Android
If it feels like your iPhone is glitchier than ever before, you're not alone.Angry Apple fans have flooded social media to complain that their expensive smartphones are plagued with tech issues.As frustrations grow with the tech giant, some fans have even sworn that they have been driven to ditch Apple products altogether.One infuriated commenter even took to X to vent: 'I will never be an Apple customer again after dealing with this POS [piece of s***]!!!!'Over the last year, iPhones have battled a surge of glitches, from failed alarms to the appearance of a 'black dot of death'.Likewise, many die–hard Apple fans are beginning to feel disappointed by the lack of innovation or new features in each year's iteration of the flagship phone.While industry analysts don't think the iPhone will go the way of Blackberry any time soon, this could be the beginning of a bigger decline.Mark Patrick, Director of Technical Content at Mouser Electronics, told Daily Mail: 'Growing frustration among tech enthusiasts over bugs and glitches could dent its status as the 'go–to' device.' As concerns over glitches and poor battery life mount, Apple fans are pledging to ditch the iPhone. But is this really the end for the flagship smartphone? This year, iPhone users have reported a growing number of issues. Now, many have taken to social media to vent their frustrations Many former Apple fans are so frustrated that they now believe Android phones offer a better experience Since the release of iOS 18 and iOS 24, iPhone users have been increasingly frustrated by the number of glitches their phones experience.Even Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns took to social media to complain about her iPhone's software.The glitch, which appears to affect iPhones installed with iOS 26, turns alarms into a 'whisper', making users late for work and even miss their flights.The British singer–songwriter shared her frustrations in a now–viral TikTok video where she urged Apple to 'sort it OUT'. Earlier this year, another mysterious glitch baffled iPhone users as a strange black dot appeared on their screens.While the reason for the error is unknown, owners reported needing to pay for screen replacements to resolve the issue.Meanwhile, another particularly embarrassing glitch affecting phones on iOS 18 began dredging up users' browsing history, including searches they would rather keep private. Apple users discovered that their devices displayed old adult content at unwanted moments, despite their best efforts to clear their browser history, tabs and cookies, even after making sure to view risqué content in 'incognito mode' only. On TikTok, Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns complained about an iPhone glitch which caused her alarms to 'whisper' Recent iPhone glitches reported by users Alarms triggering as a 'whisper'The 'black circle of death'Old browsing history resurfacing Unlocking requires multiple attemptsMusic apps such as Spotify freezing Random apps downloading Photos appear with blacked–out portionsWi–Fi cutting out and then reconnecting after being unlocked App icons appearing blankUnable to connect to mobile data One mortified iPhone owner even added that the glitch had accidentally revealed their private browsing habits to their mother. Now, Apple fans' irritation appears to have reached boiling point, as customers take their concerns to social media.One commenter on X wrote: 'I can't be more disappointed in this iPhone. I've had multiple glitches, and it locked up so I had to reboot it. For $1100, Apple needs to do better.'Another added: 'Nothing but glitches since updating. So frustrating – even unlocking the phone takes three or four attempts.'While one furious iPhone user chimed in: 'This current iteration of iOS is dreadful. The clunkiest, sloppiest, back dated looking pile of hot garbage, perhaps in the history of your software.'Amidst these concerns, some users have even vowed to switch out their iPhones for Android devices.One commenter wrote on X: 'After my iPhone ***** out I'm getting an android. I'm tired of all the lagging and glitches and ppls voice cutting out because they're using their iphone to call me.'Another added: 'I have had glitches and bugs so regularly now my Android has become my more reliable phone.' On TikTok, many more Apple fans have complained about their iPhone's software. One (left) said that iOS 26 caused apps to crash and their screen to go black, while another (right) said that their iPhone glitches 'a million times a day' Many of the issues have been reported since the release of iOS 26. This update added the new Liquid Glass display to replace Apple's standard blocky, flat icons While one former Apple fan complained: 'Dog, I don't know what's up with my phone lately, late text and a bunch of bs glitches. Honestly I think Android better than iPhone bro.' Analysts suggest that users have been so put off by these issues because Apple previously had such an excellent reputation for reliability.Rebecca Crook, UK CEO of IT consulting firm MSQ XD, told Daily Mail: 'There is a current mismatch between user expectations and the product.'Apple has historically excelled at customer satisfaction, but the technical issues we're seeing, from iOS 18 glitches to battery problems to touchscreen responsiveness, represent a breakdown in that core promise. 'The real risk isn't extinction; it's erosion of trust. When people are paying on average over £1,000 for a device, they expect it to work flawlessly.'Likewise, many fans have expressed frustration that each successive generation of iPhones is more or less the same as the last.For example, one commenter complained on X: 'iPhone 17 is barely better than my 11 Pro Max – glitches, flickers, & poor performance. Instead of real innovation, Apple wastes time on childish gimmicks like Genmoji and Image Playground.'Jan Stryjak, head of European research at Counterpoint Research, told Daily Mail: 'The frustration may stem from the apparent leaps that other manufacturers, for example HONOR, vivo, OPPO and even Huawei, are making with their latest devices, particularly from a camera and battery perspective. On X, one former Apple fan said that they would never use products from the company again after dealing with the glitches on the iPhone 16 Analysts say that Apple fans are frustrated by the low pace of innovation in newer iPhones and the lack of improvements to battery and charging How to update your iPhone to iOS 26.2 To download the update on your iPhone, simply head to your iPhone Settings and scroll down to General.Tap Software Update and you'll see the option to install iOS 26.2 now.The download should only take a few minutes to install.Alternatively, select 'Update Tonight' to install the update when your phone is placed on charge overnight.You can also select 'Automatic Updates' and set the toggles to on to ensure you always get the latest software as soon as possible. 'The battery and charging technology are areas in which Apple and Samsung are falling significantly behind.'However, the big question is whether these complaints will translate into a decline in sales or changes in strategy from Apple.Ms Crook predicts that Apple may have to change their approach to meet customers' expectations.She says: 'I predict that Apple may move away from rigid annual releases toward a more flexible product cadence – similar to what they've done with iPad.'We may see Apple transition to releasing new iPhones when they have something meaningful to say, rather than releasing them because the calendar says it's September.'Ms Crooks used the iPhone Air as an example of the innovation that Apple is capable of when given more than a year to develop a product.However, Mr Stryjak is less convinced that Apple needs to change its current approach.He says: 'The iPhone is still the preferred device for most youth segments around the world, and Apple has arguably the most loyal fanbase of any smartphone manufacturer all tied into a very tight–knit ecosystem. Despite user frustrations, industry data suggests that the iPhone is selling better than ever. This means Apple is unlikely to change its strategy anytime soon. Pictured: Apple CEO Tim Cook 'Exiting that ecosystem is not straightforward, so we don't expect a major exodus any time soon.'In fact, Counterpoint Research's data suggests that Apple is actually on course for its best year of sales in a very long time. The iPhone 16 was the best–selling smartphone globally between July and September, accounting for four per cent of all smartphone sales.By next year, Counterpoint Research expects Apple to dethrone Samsung as the world's biggest smartphone maker for the first time in over a decade. Driven by continued sales of the iPhone 17 as customers rush to upgrade their old devices, Apple is expected to have delivered almost 20 per cent of all smartphone sales this year and could continue to grow. So, despite massive disappointment over the flop of Apple Intelligence and increased user frustration, Apple is unlikely to turn its back on the iPhone any time soon. Apple did not respond to a request for comment. THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.The first product was the Apple I. 1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market. Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation's new Macintosh February 6, 1984 in California.1981: Jobs became chairman. 1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000. The then Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Steve Jobs, with the iPhone2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.2007: Apple unveils the iPhone. 2010: The first iPad was unveiled.2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones - the 6 and 6 Plus. 2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services. 2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device. 2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner's face. Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaks at an Apple event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers. 2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.2020: In March, Apple closes all its bricks and mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus. 2021: In an online virtual event in April CEO Tim Cook declared Apple's goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year the iPhone 13 was announced. 2022: In September the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash as well as an improved camera system. 2023: Apple brought back its 'Home Pod' after the first generation was discontinued. The 'Home Pod' can be seen as an alternative to Amazon's Alexa or Google Home as it is powered by voice commands. 2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once with many delayed until the following year.
