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Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro launch in India is generating significant anticipation ahead of the Apple event. Early leaks suggest major changes to design, camera performance, and processing power. If confirmed, these updates could make the iPhone 18 Pro one of Apple’s most substantial upgrades in recent years.  

Cleaner And Modern Design 

A major anticipated change for the iPhone 18 Pro is its front design. Apple may reduce the size of the Dynamic Island or introduce a smaller camera cutout, supplying users with more screen space and a cleaner viewing experience.  

Reports indicate Apple may shift Face ID sensors under the display over time, resulting in a smoother front appearance. On the back, Apple could simplify the look by removing the two-tone finish and adopting a more uniform design, including new color options.  

Focus on Camera 

The iPhone Pro line is known for outstanding imaging, and the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to take it further. Leaks report that Apple may add a variable-aperture camera for automatic adaptation to different lighting conditions. This function could boost low-light photography and overall image clarity.  

Additionally, Apple may include new camera sensors designed to capture greater detail and improve color accuracy. These improvements could appeal to photo enthusiasts, content creators, and mobile filmmakers.  

iPhone 18 Pro Camera Details 

The iPhone 18 Pro introduces significant advancements in photography. Apple is expected to replace the previous triple-camera system with a more advanced configuration.  

• Turning first to the primary camera, the iPhone 18 Pro features a new 50MP main sensor with a variable aperture ranging from f/1.4 to f/2.4, delivering professional-quality bokeh and enhanced low-light performance.  

• Additionally, the ultra-wide camera now features an upgraded 48MP lens to enhance macro photography.  

• To offer greater versatility, the telephoto system features a 12MP periscope lens supporting 10x optical zoom and up to 100x digital space zoom, enhanced by AI.  

• Beyond still photography, video capabilities have also advanced: The iPhone 18 Pro now supports 8K ProRes video recording at 60 fps, along with the new Spatial Video 2.0 feature for Apple Vision Pro compatibility.  

Faster Performance 

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature the new A20 Pro chipset, which is anticipated to deliver faster performance, improved efficiency, and enhanced support for advanced AI features. Users can expect smoother performance in daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking.  

Apple may also add an upgraded modem to improve network performance, potentially resulting in better call quality, faster mobile data speeds, and optimized battery life.  

iPhone 18 Pro Performance and Core Specifications 

The iPhone 18 Pro is likely the first device to adopt a 2nm chip, enabling marked improvements in speed and efficiency.  

• Processor: A20 Bionic Chip with Neural Engine Max, which enables advanced AI features such as creating content or images from text prompts.  

• The display is a 6.3-inch ProMotion XDR OLED with high refresh rate and enhanced color/brightness, with under-display Face ID and Face Recognition beneath the screen, and a continuous notch-free viewing experience.  

• The battery is larger and high-density, supporting 45W wired and 25W MagSafe charging.  

• Internal storage options include:  

• 256 GB  

• 512 GB  

• 1TB  

• 2TB  

• The build features a Grade 5 titanium frame with a new mirror finish option.  

Global Launch Window 

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro globally in the second week of September 2026, with the India launch also scheduled for September.  

Apple typically launches its flagship phones in September, and the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to follow this schedule. It will likely debut with the Pro Max model, while standard models may be released later. India’s availability timeline will likely follow a similar schedule.  

The iPhone Pro is expected to offer significant upgrades, including a refined design, advanced cameras, and a high-performance processor. Recent leaks indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro India price for the 256 GB variant may start at approximately ₹139,900  

The expected India pricing tiers are as follows:  

Variant	Anticipated India Price
iPhone 18 Pro (256GB)	₹ 139,900
iPhone 18 Pro (512 GB)	₹ 159,900
iPhone 18 Pro (1TB)	₹ 179,900
iPhone 18 Pro (2TB)	₹ 199,900

Supply chain developments indicate that the next generation of iPhones may not maintain Apple’s typical uniform pricing throughout storage tiers. This change is mainly driven by rising memory-related costs, rather than a shift in the general pricing strategy.  

@yeux1122’s blog suggests high-capacity iPhone 18 models may increase in price, while low-capacity versions might keep existing prices. The reasons for this are outlined below.  

Low-capacity versions likely refer to entry-level models like the baseline iPhone 18, which could come with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Meanwhile, iPhone 18 Pro models are higher-end variants, expected to feature at least 12GB RAM and may cost more than the iPhone 17 Pro.  

Rising DRAM prices also push up NAND flash costs, as both share production resources. So high-capacity models may mean 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB variants.  

To summarize the ongoing memory crisis, the spike in prices for memory components used in smartphones is substantial enough to impact Apple’s pricing. Among all models, the iPhone Pro variants with higher RAM and storage are most likely to see a price increase at launch.  

Apple could raise prices for other reasons, too:  

• A new NM processor  

• A variable-aperture main camera for better low-light photos  

• Pro models with larger batteries  

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro+ this year, when memory chip prices remain high. The baseline iPhone 18 is anticipated to debut next year when memory prices may stabilize.  

Rising production costs for 2nm chips and advances in camera technology are likely to lead to a slight price increase. However, the expansion of the Make in India initiatives may help Apple stabilize prices in India by offsetting these higher costs.  

As can be seen, Apple is introducing 4 storage variants in India and international markets. Some variances can be observed when comparing past iPhone pricing trends to the current price.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max specs have been released by analyst Jeff Pu (via 9to5Mac).  

Building on these links and citing GF Security, Pu lists key features expected in this year’s Pro iPhones and offers details on the iPhone Fold.  

To provide context, below is a reproduction of the table Pu shared. Further details and explanations of abbreviations will follow.  

In addition to these hardware rumors, Apple is reportedly planning major changes to its smartphone lineup, including the removal of display eye-tracking and the introduction of foldable screens.  

Building on these changes, here is a summary of the most discussed iPhone 18 rumors, based on recent reports from multiple sources.  

The Display Sizes of the iPhone 18 May Stay the Same; However, the Display Cutout Could Vary. 

A leak from Digital Chat Station, reported by 925MAC, indicates that Apple will retain the same screen sizes across the iPhone 18 lineup. The iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to match their predecessors in display size.  

Specifically, the primary change may involve the display cutout.  

The leak suggests the standard iPhone 18 and Air 2 will keep the dynamic island, a top-screen feature that houses the front camera sensor upgrades and Face ID sensor. Pro models may have a new cutout design. Though the look isn’t confirmed, Apple may move beyond a smaller dynamic island.  

This is consistent with earlier reports from the information, which suggested Apple is considering a top-left punch-hole camera as part of its long-term intention to incorporate Face ID under the display.  

A20 Pro Chip, 120 GB RAM, And Enhanced On-Device AI Capabilities 

The iPhone 18 Pro Max camera is expected to deliver improved performance, driven by the new A20 Pro chip on a 2nm process.  

In addition to the upgraded processor to support advanced AI tasks, Apple is expected to increase memory to 12GB in both Pro and Foldable models. Connectivity will also improve with the introduction of Apple’s C2 5G modem and N2 wireless chip, both of which support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.  

Furthermore, experts note that these upgrades align with Apple’s AI strategy. The combination of the A20 Pro chip, new memory packaging (WMCM), and the N2 wireless chip is expected to enable more advanced on-device AI features, including an improved Siri.  

How Pro Max differs from Pro. 

Jeff Pu has shared a specification table based on GF Securities data as reported by 9to5Mac. This is an A Pro vs. Pro Max comparison table.  

	iPhone 18 Pro	iPhone 18 Pro Max	iPhone folds.
Launch.	September 26	September 26	September 26
Display	6.3 inches.	6.9 inches.	7.8 inches < 5.3 inches
Processor	A20 Pro, N2, WMCM	A20 Pro N2 WMCM	A20 Pro N2 WMCM
DRAM	LPD5, 12GB	LPD5, 12GB	LPD5, 12GB
Front camera.	18MP, 6P	18MP, 6P	18MP folded, 18MP unfolded.
Rear camera.	48 MP 7 PVA Periscope 48 MP 6P	48 MP 7 PVA Periscope 48 MP 6P	48MP, 7P, 48MP 6P
Face ID	Structured Lite: Smaller Dynamic Island.	Structured light smaller dynamic island.	None. (Touch ID)
Casing	Aluminum.	Aluminum.	Titanium + aluminum
BB	Apple C2	Apple C2	Apple C2

Siri to integrate Gemini AI. 

Apple and Google have partnered with Gemini AI to enhance Siri’s capabilities, according to the information.  

Important: Apple will maintain Siri’s unique identity. The report states:  

Apple can fine-tune Gemini on its own so that it responds to queries about the way Apple prefers, and those AI answers don’t include any branding related to Google or Gemini. Get ready for more helpful conversations as Siri will give more thorough conversational responses like ChatGPT and Gemini do.  

It’s worth noting that not all features will launch immediately. The report notes that some will be available this spring, while the most sophisticated functions are expected to debut at Apple’s WWDC event in June.  

DSLR-style Cameras. 

Transitioning to the camera. The main rear camera on both models is expected to feature a variable aperture for light and depth-of-field adjustments, similar to a professional DSLR. However, according to MacRumors, only the Pro Max may become slightly thicker to accommodate a larger battery for these enhancements.  

iPhone Air 2 is likely to prioritize battery life over thinness 

The rumored iPhone Air 2 is in the spotlight, with 9to5Mac noting that Apple may use COE color on encapsulated display tech, which could allow for a thinner, brighter screen.  

Rather than prioritizing extreme thinness, Apple may allocate more space to a larger battery, a choice expected to resonate with most users.  

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to have a larger battery, likely between 5100 mAh and 5300 mAh. This model may use new technology for deeper, longer-lasting power. Rumors suggest it could be slightly thicker to accommodate the larger battery, and it may also offer faster charging and better efficiency thanks to the new A20 Pro chip and in-house modem, distinguishing it from standard models.  

What About The Foldable iPhone? 

Looking ahead, several reports indicate that Apple may introduce its first foldable iPhone, often called the iPhone 4D, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September. The device is rumored to include a 7.8-inch internal display, a 5.3-inch outer screen, touch ID, and a titanium-aluminum body. However, observers advise that Apple could delay the release if the design is not finalized.  

Launch Timing: Pro Models First, Base Models Later 

Most reports say Apple will announce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, possibly alongside the foldable iPhone. These Pro models are expected to receive the most advanced features, with other models following later.  

In contrast, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are expected to be released in 2027, under a revised schedule.  

Overall, although Apple’s plans remain unconfirmed until launch, current rumors suggest a 2026 strategy focused on delivering a cleaner display and enhanced performance for pro users, significant AI improvements for Siri, and potentially introducing a foldable iPhone.

Apple launched the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September 2025 alongside the new iPhone Air, which is marketed as the thinnest phone to date. The company is reportedly planning to introduce its first foldable phone, possibly called the iPhone Fold, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, according to recent reports on the Pro’s specifications. These devices may launch in September 2026 ahead of their expected release, an analyst has shared. Anticipated iPhone 18 Pro specs leak along with features for the iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max.  

iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Fold Specifications (Expected) 

According to an industry note from Jeff Pu, reported by 9to5Mac, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens, respectively. The iPhone Fold is expected to offer a 7.8-inch internal foldable display and a 5.3-inch cover display. All three devices are expected to use the A20 Pro chip, built on a 2nm process and featuring Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Model (WLCM) technology.  

All three models are expected to include 12GB LPDDR5x RAM and 18-megapixel front cameras, with the Fold offering a front camera on each display.  

The 18 Pro devices are expected to feature the iPhone 18 Pro camera, with each device featuring a 48-megapixel primary periscope and an ultra-wide sensor. The Fold is anticipated to feature dual 2-megapixel rear cameras without a periscope sensor, which distinguishes it from other foldables.  

The iPhone 18 Pro series and iPhone Fold are expected to include Apple’s C2 Modem, a chipset designed to improve network connectivity. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may feature aluminum frames, while the Foldable model could use titanium and aluminum. The analyst also notes that the iPhone 18 Pro models may feature a smaller Dynamic Island and display housing for front-facing sensors, and that the iPhone Fold may use Touch ID, Apple’s fingerprint authentication system.  

Jeff Pu (via 9to5Mac) has leaked several iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max specs.  

Based on Pu’s data, Poe highlights key Pro model components for this year, including some info about the Fold.  

Here’s a reproduction of Pu’s table of info. We’ll discuss the details and explain some abbreviations afterward.  

	iPhone 18 Pro	iPhone 18 Pro Max
Launch	September 26	September 26
Display	6.3 inches	6.9 inches
Processor	A20 Pro N2 WMCM	A20 Pro N2 WMC
DRAM	DPD 5 12GB	LPD 5 12 GB
Front camera.	18MP 6P	18MP 6P
Rear camera.	48MP 7P VA Periscope 48MP 48MP 6P	48MP 7P VA Periscope 48MP 48MP 6P
Face ID	Structured light, smaller dynamic current.	Structured Lite: Smaller Dynamic Island.
Casing	Aluminum.	Aluminum.
BB	Apple C2	Apple C2

Pu expects the Apple iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max to launch during Apple’s typical September release window this year. Reports indicate that a standard iPhone 18 will not be released in 2026. Instead, Apple may introduce it in 2027, alongside the iPhone e-series and the iPhone Air 2.  

The Pro models will have 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, like the 17 Pro line. Possible upgrades could include higher brightness or tougher glass, though only the display size is confirmed in the leak.  

To power these phones, Apple will apparently use a new A20 Pro chipset coupled with 12GB RAM. The A20 will be manufactured by TSMC using the N2 process, which enables higher transistor density than the current 3nm A19 chip. This should result in improved performance and battery efficiency within the same practical size. The chip also integrates multiple components, such as a CPU, GPU, NPU, and RAM, onto a single die, supporting Apple’s aim to keep internal space efficient and performant. While LPDDR5X and LPDDR6 are faster, LPDDR5 RAM will still provide strong performance for these new iPhones.  

According to Pu, the iPhone 18 Pro models will include Apple’s C2 modem for connectivity (BB in the table refers to broadband). iPhone 17 series currently uses Snapdragon X80 modem, while the iPhone Air uses Apple’s C1X, and the iPhone 16E uses the original C1. The transition to Apple’s own components may affect 5G performance and power management, underscoring Apple’s silence on the subject so far.  

These technical enhancements extend to camera technology as well. Advanced camera features will enable precise control over incoming light, letting users adjust exposure and depth of field to achieve optimal image brightness and focus.  

Building on these camera advancements, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to use aluminum construction similar to the iPhone 17 Pro. However, the display is expected to feature a structured light and a smaller dynamic island.  

In line with these camera hardware changes, Apple is likely to embed the Face ID sensors under the display, resulting in a single punch hole notch for the selfie camera on the iPhone 18 Pro. This design choice reflects trends seen in recent Android flagship phones.  

Despite the potential for further changes in display size and refresh rate before launching, ongoing battery and charging rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro will bring several notable improvements to an already leading device.  

Until Apple officially verifies these phones and their features on the A20 Pro chip, we will continue to monitor rumors and leaks and provide updates for the most accurate information possible.

An iPhone 18 Pro design leak suggests the device will feature:  

• A smaller front cutout  

• Camera enhancements  

• Apple’s new A20 Pro chip  

Below is a summary of the primary innovations and changes revealed in the iPhone 18 Pro design leak.  

A recent iPhone 18 Pro video leak, shared by John Prosser (the source) of Front Page Tech, claims to reveal the full design and key hardware details of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. The video showcases possible changes to the display, camera system, internal components, a smaller cutout explained, and color options.  

iPhone 18 Pro Leaked in a Video Reveals Full Design and Specs 

The most significant change appears on the front: while Apple has used a pill-shaped cutout for several generations, the leaked renders indicate a smaller cutout on the iPhone 18 Pro. The video suggests some Face ID components may move under the display, reducing the visible cutout to a single hole. The selfie camera is shown in the top left corner of the screen rather than in the center, along with some port and button changes indicating a significant visual shift for long-time users.  

Dynamic Island will remain but move with the front camera to the top-left corner. This update aims to make it less intrusive while keeping familiar animations and live activities. Dynamic Island should take up less space and be less noticeable during use.  

The iPhone 18 Pro may receive a significant camera upgrade. The leak indicates that Apple is testing a variable-aperture system for the main camera (unlike current models, which rely on software for background blur and handling challenging lighting). A variable aperture would allow the lens to control light intake, likely boosting portrait quality and low-light performance. However, this feature may be limited to the iPhone 18 Pro Max model.  

The leak also notes possible refinements to physical controls. Apple may replace the current capacitive camera button with a pressure-based version, offering more reliable tactile feedback for photos and videos.  

Internally, the iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to make major improvements. Both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models are rumored to use Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip, which may be built on TSMC’s upcoming 2nm processor. Additionally, Apple is reportedly planning to integrate RAM directly into the same wafer as the CPU/GPU and neural engine. This would be especially important for on-device AI features under Apple Intelligence. Better thermal management is also a potential gain, and the space saved inside the phone would allow Apple to either increase battery size or improve cooling. Early estimates point to around 15% better performance and up to 30% higher efficiency. Compared with the previous generation, though, these numbers should be treated cautiously for now.  

Apple may introduce its C2 modem, reducing reliance on third-party supplies. The iPhone 18 Pro cutout could be the first to use it.  

Information on the battery’s size is incomplete.  

• The iPhone 18 Pro cutout may have a 6.3-inch display.  

• The Pro Plus could get a larger 5100 mAh battery.  

• Standard Pro battery details are unconfirmed.  

The video mentions three new finishes: burgundy, brown, and purple. These colors differ from Apple’s muted Pro palette and may add personality to the lineup.  

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Plus are expected to launch in September 2026. The standard iPhone 18 may follow in 2027, but this is unconfirmed. These details are based on early leaks and could change before release.  

What Camera Feature Leaks Have Emerged For The iPhone 18 Pro Max? 

Recent leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature a variable aperture system for its main camera. With this innovation, the lens could adjust its light intake, producing more natural portraits and improving low-light photography without relying solely on software processing.  

Along with the variable-aperture system, the leak suggests Apple may introduce a redesigned camera button with a pressure-based mechanism. The report also notes potential changes, such as a smaller front cut-out and other design updates. Notably, the variable aperture could be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max. If this is confirmed, it may mark Apple’s most significant camera hardware advancement in recent generations.  

Why is Apple shifting to the C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro? 

Apple is reportedly adopting its C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro to better integrate hardware and software, reduce reliance on outside suppliers, and optimize device-specific connectivity. Apple expects improved performance, efficiency, and further differentiation for its flagship phones.  

Reports say the C2 modem is a major step in Apple’s vertical design strategy, building on custom chipsets. Integrating the C2 modem with the A20 Pro chip could boost battery life and enable features like next-gen MagSafe and improved AI. Analysts say this helps manage supply chains and speed up innovation.  

While focus is on hardware, the iPhone 18’s screen specs appear unchanged from the iPhone 17. Design differences vs. the iPhone 17 Pro are non-existent. The addition of an iPhone Air 2 in the iPhone 18 lineup is notable. Previous reports indicated that the iPhone Air sold fewer units than other iPhone 17 models.  

The latest leak offers no updates on the anticipated foldable iPhone, which is still expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 lineup.  

Additional iPhone-related leaks are likely as Apple’s annual event approaches. New updates could clarify what to expect from the iPhone 18 lineup and what may remain unchanged.

Verizon experienced a major outage on Wednesday, leaving tens of thousands without service.  

An update on Verizon’s website on Thursday said the outage has been resolved. We are sorry for what you experienced and will continue to work hard day and night to provide the outstanding network and service people expect from Verizon, it said.   

Verizon Outage Explained 

The reason for the outage is clear. Verizon has not explained it on its website. In an email to media outlets, a representative blamed a software issue and said a full review is underway. Verizon has not disclosed the number of affected customers; Down Detector staff said they received 2.3 million outage reports for Verizon that day. That does not necessarily reflect the total number of customers impacted.  

Cell networks experience minor outages regularly, and larger breakdowns are not uncommon. Verizon confronted major disruptions in several cities in September 2024, and AT&T experienced a significant outage in February 2024 that affected more than 125 million devices and customers across all 50 states.  

Sanjoy Paul, a wireless network expert at Rice University, explains that telecommunications systems have become more complex over the past 15 years, shifting from physical infrastructure such as wires and cables to cloud-based systems. To explain network transparency, Sanjoy Pall explained that what was once hardware-based is now fully software-based. This shift offers greater flexibility, but he added that it has reduced Verizon’s reliability.  

Sanjoy Paul noted that cloud and software-based networks present more opportunities for glitches and attacks. Minor issues in the computer code within these systems may have substantial consequences.  

Implications of the outage 

Verizon’s customers lost connectivity and had access only to SOS mode during the day’s outage.  

Verizon, marketing itself as America’s most reliable network, took steps to fix the issue. The company advises customers to restart devices if problems persist and is offering $20 in credits to acknowledge their time and show that this matters to us. As per its website. However, the actual reason for the outage remains unknown.  

The Federal Communications System said in a statement that it was continuing to actively investigate and monitor the situation to determine future measures, without providing a timeline for the investigation.  

Potential For Recurrence 

Yes, similar outages could affect Verizon or any of its competitors.  

The cause of this latest outage remains unknown. It’s too early to say whether the exact thing could happen again. However, Lee McKnight, an associate professor at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University, told media outlets that outages are a fact of life for major telecommunications firms today.  

According to Lee McKnight, a professor at Syracuse University, modern telecom networks are cloud-based, and 5G relies on hundreds of cloud services. Staff must understand these cloud services, not just physical infrastructure.  

Experts recommend that customers have a backup plan for connectivity in case of future outages. This could mean keeping a landline phone at home or buying a second phone line on a different network. This way, there is an alternate way to communicate if one network goes down.  

What Customers Should Expect Next 

Verizon’s service has been restored after a major outage lasting approximately 10 hours, which affected hundreds of thousands of customers.  

This was Verizon’s first major outage since October 2024, with customers nationwide seeing SOS and emergency signals on their phones instead of network bars, indicating no carrier service.  

Many users saw network bars replaced by SOS, making calls and texts unavailable, though data worked.  

The outage began around 12:30 pm ET, with thousands of reporting issues on X (formerly Twitter), and Thread’s down Detector logged over 180,000 reports at its peak.  

Verizon confirmed the disruption shortly after 1:00 PM ET and later provided an update around 9:00 PM ET.  

Verizon acknowledged it had let customers down and said it would provide $20 in credits to affected customers. The company added that it was working nonstop and making progress. Verizon further stated, “Our teams will continue to work through the night until service is restored for all impacted customers.” At 10:24 PM Eastern Time, Verizon confirmed the outage was resolved.  

Verizon also advised customers still experiencing issues to try restarting their devices.  

Given Verizon’s lack of information about the outage, customers should expect to receive a text message in the My Verizon app about the $20 account credit the company is offering. However, customers must prepare to redeem the credit, and some may even have to wait before receiving the text message.  

Finally, customers must realize that outages with telecommunications providers can occur without warning and prepare for them by investing in additional communication channels to safeguard their interests.

Verizon Communications said it will give a $20 credit to hundreds of thousands of customers affected by Wednesday’s 10-hour outage, which was caused by a software problem. However, it led many customers to ask whether the Verizon outage credit was enough.  

Verizon said the outage mostly affected customers in the Northeast, Southern California, Texas, and parts of the Midwest. The company confirmed it was not a cyberattack and fixed the problem by 10pm EST on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the solution did not prevent numerous Verizon customer complaints, which claimed the $20 credit was insufficient for the trouble they had to endure.  

The Federal Communications Commission said it will review the outage.  

We did not meet the standards of excellence our customers expect, or the standards we expect of ourselves. To provide relief, Verizon said it is issuing a $20 account credit to affected customers.  

The company also mentioned that if customers are still experiencing issues, they should restart their devices and reconnect to the network.  

Several major cities told residents to use other carriers to contact emergency services to overcome the outage. Down Detector reported receiving 2.2 million outage reports related to Verizon in the past 24 hours.  

Federal Communications Commission Chair Brandon Carr told Reuters after a congressional hearing that the agency would review the issue and take appropriate action.  

During the outage, New York City warned residents that calling 9-11 could be affected. The city advised using another carrier’s device, a landline, or visiting a police or fire station to report emergencies, as stated on X.  

The District of Columbia issued a similar alert, and these warnings were lifted after normal service resumed.  

In late 2020, Verizon had a national outage that affected more than 100,000 users at its peak. The incident caught the FCC’s attention after several services were disrupted, prompting iPhone users to use SOS mode. Many users reported the same SOS mode problem during Wednesday’s outage.  

Historical Comparisons of the Verizon Outage 

On January 14, Verizon experienced a major nationwide disruption to its cellular service. Subscribers nationwide faced significant connectivity issues. Outage reports reached hundreds of thousands, but this figure understates the true impact. Many affected customers did not or could not submit reports. The disruption affected numerous IoT-driven services that rely on cellular networks, including tracking platforms, transaction processing systems, and other connected devices.  

The outage lasted about 11 hours, based on economic effects from similar past events, including interruptions to financial transactions and delays in supply chain operations. We estimate the total US economic impact at $500 million.  

Below is an overview of the incident and anticipated follow-up actions 

• A software issue caused the outage. Verizon has not yet provided an official statement, but a spokesperson confirmed this was the cause. Most IT professionals use cellular technologies as backup for wide-area networks, which often limits the impact of outages. However, enterprises relying on cellular for core operations, such as fieldwork, asset tracking, or payment systems, are severely affected by outages of this scale.  

• Investigations and high costs for Verizon will follow. Verizon will submit an official root cause report to the FCC, while the U.S. government agencies will work to rule out cyberattacks. Customer rebates, credits, and potential customer and business lawsuits are expected. Verizon will implement process and technology improvements to tackle the underlying issues, and the FCC may review its regulations. We estimate Verizon could face up to $1.5B in direct impact with a potential 3-year improvement plan costing $22-30B.  

• Verizon’s brand reputation will likely suffer with potential customer churn expected in the months following the incidents. Typically, within 6-9 months of our response, we anticipate that Verizon will introduce resiliency enhancements and progress on client-oriented credit or guarantee terms. Similar to AT&T’s AT&T Guarantee, in large-scale outages, honesty and quick communication are crucial to minimizing brand damage. Yet Verizon did not provide this level of transparency during the recent event. Work outages and performance slowdowns are inevitable, leading to a downturn in customer sentiment. This is due to physical limitations, human error, and increased infrastructure complexity. This incident was notable because it affected a major national carrier relied upon daily by businesses and consumers. Given this dependence, carriers are expected to meet high standards. Commit to service-level agreements and 5-9 availability (no more than 5 minutes and 15 seconds of downtime per year). An 11-hour disruption far exceeds these expectations. It is among the most significant outages in recent years. What lessons should carriers and IT leaders draw from this event?  

• Revisit your wireless connectivity strategy for organizations relying on a singular cellular carrier. This may be the right time to re-evaluate whether additional technologies can better meet business needs.  
   
  To clarify, key recommendations include:  

• Implementing multi-SIM or e-SIM-based redundant carrier technology connectivity  

• Considering alternative wireless paths such as satellite links or low-power wide area networks  

• Developing a proactive plan to maintain resilience while expecting carriers to comply with rigorous reliability standards  

• Taking these steps allows organizations to act proactively.  

• Accelerate Investments in Advanced Networking Capabilities. Although network outages and slowdowns are inevitable, many networking teams struggle to plan ahead and build resilience, often treating monitoring and forward-looking standards as secondary priorities. Maximizing uptime and guaranteeing swift remediation are critical to customer experience. Network automation, comprehensive performance management, including visibility, observability, and AIOps, fast root cause analytics, and system-wide improvement via AI are now essential. To prevent every outage, they can identify issues earlier, prevent many degradations, and simulate the impact of changes before deployment. Automation also enables faster resolution of widespread issues.  

• Advanced companies, especially carriers, must pursue more sophisticated practices. Basic investments in automation, observability, and analytics are no longer enough. Accordingly, leaders should adopt wide enterprise-wide networking fabrics, digital twin simulations, and real-time event communication. Traditional networks required slow, manual component-by-component changes. Modern software-defined fabrics enable a single update across hundreds of thousands of devices, making pre-change validation critical here. Digital twins let teams safely simulate configuration updates, patches, and upgrades to understand their full impact before production. Carriers should accelerate the adoption of these capabilities, just as aerospace and aviation professionals rely on simulation to manage complexity and maintain precision.  

Numerous Verizon customers are concerned that $20 may not fully reflect the value of the service interruption. A more appropriate amount could align with the cost of one month of 5G coverage, around $50. Customers recognize that implementing this change would be a considerable undertaking for Verizon, given its sizable customer base, and acknowledge that it would pose a challenge for the company.  

Based on comments in live coverage outage reports, many customers across the United States feel the $20 credit may not address their concerns. While Verizon has recently improved communication, there was a period during the outage when updates were not provided for several hours. This information gap, together with the limited compensation, has naturally led to frustration for some. Additionally, some customers have reported that contacting customer service can lead to a larger credit, though individual experiences may vary. 

When Verizon had an outage on Wednesday, January 14, it prompted responses from its main competitors later that day, with comments on the Verizon vs. AT&T outage.  

The AT&T network stated in a social media post, “Our network is solid. If you’re experiencing issues, it’s not us… It’s the other guys. Some things are just out of our hands.”  

T-Mobile’s response also addressed Verizon’s outage, noting that T-Mobile’s network is keeping our customers connected and that we have confirmed it is operating normally as expected. However, due to Verizon’s reported outage, our customers may not be able to reach someone with Verizon’s service at this time.  

Later that day, Verizon apologized for the inconvenience caused by the outage and reaffirmed its commitment to quickly restoring service to affected customers.  

Earlier that day, Verizon began experiencing a major outage, leaving many customers nationwide unable to make calls, send texts, or use data services on their mobile devices.   

As the outage unfolded, one of Verizon’s main competitors used social media to confirm that its network was operating normally.  

This is precisely what T-Mobile is doing.  

T-Mobile’s network is keeping our customers connected, and we’ve confirmed it’s operating normally as expected, the company said in a post on X. However, due to Verizon’s reported outage, our customers may not be able to reach someone on Verizon service at this time.  

Many top replies to T-Mobile’s posts are from Verizon customers expressing interest in switching carriers.  

Ice-cold replied on X in response to T-Mobile’s post.  

T-Mobile’s post addresses aspects beyond Verizon’s service status.  

During the Verizon outage, some customers from other carriers, including T-Mobile and AT&T, also reported difficulties making calls or sending texts to Verizon users. Down Detector recorded a spike in complaints for multiple wireless providers linked to the Verizon outage.  

According to T-Mobile, its network was operating normally. Many T-Mobile customers likely experienced problems connecting calls or sending texts to Verizon users, which could have led some to incorrectly believe T-Mobile’s own network was down.  

And while T-Mobile’s comments were pointed, the statement was necessary to shed light on the matter.  

T-Mobile network operators emphasize that the January 2026 Verizon outage is likely to be the last. Customers of other carriers, such as AT&T or T-Mobile, are not immune to similar disruptions.  

What customers should know is that expecting modern mobile networks to function around the clock, around the air like water, power, or gas isn’t practically possible, said Octavio Garcia, Forrester analyst and mobile industry veteran. The infrastructure involved (cell phone towers and, as in Verizon’s case, software) is not immune to unforeseen outages caused by multiple factors.  

Experts agree that this outage was particularly severe for Verizon customers because it affected their ability to make emergency calls.  

The only comparable incident in recent years was the AT&T outage of February 2024, which lasted about 11 hours and resulted in 92 million failed calls, including 25,000 to 911.  

This outage feels like a bigger deal, says Alex Besen, a 30-year veteran of the mobile data industry and now CEO of the Besen Group. In 2024, many customers experienced intermittent data and SMS connectivity. This outage took down voice and data simultaneously and left phones stuck in SOS mode.  

Verizon Experienced A Core Failure 

The AT&T outage was eventually traced to one employee running a network update that was wrongly configured. This one, Besen says, was more of a core failure, a software issue that so blindsided the company that Verizon couldn’t confirm it was dealing with one for the majority of the outage.  

A full investigation is needed to compare the Verizon outage with previous incidents. It also remains to be seen whether the significant layoffs at Verizon in November contributed to the situation.  

It is possible that among 13,000 former employees, including at least one network engineering project manager, someone possessed the institutional knowledge necessary to prevent such a software-driven outage.  

Meanwhile, data from DownDetector, a user-reported outage platform, suggests that the Verizon outage was more severe than the AT&T incident.  

The 2024 outage DownDetector recorded a peak of 74,000 concurrent outage reports from AT&T customers within a 15-minute window, with numbers beginning to decline by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  

In comparison, on January 14, 2026, DownDetector reported a peak of 178,000 concurrent outage reports from Verizon customers at 12:45 PM ET during the East Coast’s peak daytime hours. Verizon Stores are currently experiencing significant challenges.  

For Verizon, the SOS message was horribly inappropriate and potentially ongoing as aggrieved customers consider whether $20 is sufficient compensation. Many may follow through on their promise to cancel their contracts altogether. This might well stand for Save Our Stores!  

Verizon will face brand reputation issues and possible customer churn over the next six to nine months, Forrester analyst Octavio Garcia told Mashable.  

One way to shorten churn time is to implement something similar to the AT&T Guaranty, a mobile industry first launched in January 2025, just under a year after the great AT&T outage, the company says. It delivers automatic compensation: one full free day of service if your wireless goes out for an hour or more. This varies, and its competitors are monitoring how many customers may leave. This is a limited benefit: a smaller but more satisfied customer base.   

Losing customers over network reliability issues would almost certainly hurt Verizon in the short term, even if it slightly reduces network load, says Besen.

Verizon customers across the United States began reporting cellular outages around noon ET on Wednesday, including Verizon Outage 911, citing issues completing calls or accessing mobile data. Verizon broadband internet users also reported issues. AT&T and T-Mobile customers experienced service outages during the same period, though these may be related to the Verizon outage.  

Verizon spokesperson Kristina Moon Ashraf told Wired in a statement, “We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and working to identify and resolve the issue, including emergency calls, Verizon, quickly.”  

A T-Mobile spokesperson told Wired in a statement that its service is operating normally and as expected but added that T-Mobile customers may not be able to reach Verizon customer service at this time. An AT&T spokesperson similarly said its network is operating normally at this time and added that service issues are due to a separate carrier.  

The outage tracking site Down Detector reported an increase in service disruption reports across all three major US mobile carriers.  

Many customers using iOS devices reported their phones were in SOS satellite mode, allowing only emergency calls. However, some reports indicated that even 911 calls could not be completed.  

Washington D.C.’s official emergency alert channel posted at 12:57 p.m. Eastern Time that DC’s Office of Unified Communications is aware of a nationwide Verizon wireless outage that may be affecting some users’ ability to connect to 911. They also provided instructions for emergencies, stating, “If you have an emergency and cannot connect using your Verizon wireless service, please connect using a device from another carrier, a landline, or go to a police district or fire station to report the emergency.”  

Verizon’s Network was down for much of Wednesday, with service restored at 10:20 p.m. Eastern Time. Most users were left unable to make even emergency calls despite being in SOS mode.  

Although emergency calls can usually connect to any available tower, reports indicated that some users could not reach 911 during the outage.  

Some Verizon users were unable to call 911, and emergency services advised using alternative methods to seek help.  

This light sparked today, and my family was unable to call 911 because of @Verizon’s incompetence. Ex-user @OmarMKAhmad allegedly shared a photograph of a burnt and melted ceiling light. Thankfully, our cleaners happened to be at the house. We had to be at the house (who has a @T-Mobile) and called 911.  

The Office of Unified Communications acknowledged the then-ongoing Verizon outage on Wednesday evening via X, warning that it was affecting some individuals attempting to reach emergency services. The OUC also issued a message through Alert DC, the District of Columbia’s official emergency notification system. The carrier appears to involve multiple telecoms because of collateral impacts when a down telecom can’t route calls and data to other providers.  

Syed Rafael Hassan, a mobile network security researcher at Purdue University, speculated that the outage could have been caused by a server configuration issue in Verizon’s core network. It is unlikely a coordinated attack against the Verizon network, he told Wired.  

How 911 Routing Works 

911 Routing uses your phone’s location to direct calls to the appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP), which is the local emergency dispatch center. The system has evolved from relying on cell tower locations, which could miss out calls, to next-generation 911 systems that use GPS and device data for faster, more accurate dispatch.  

Dial 911: Initiate a call to the emergency number from your device.  

1. Location identification: 

• Wireline (landline): The system uses your phone number, known as Automatic Number Identification (ANI), to retrieve your registered address from the Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database, which stores address details for landline phones.  

• Mobile calls previously routed to the PSAP nearest to the cell tower (legacy 911). Now uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and other device data to provide more accurate location information.  

1. Routing to PSAP. 

• A central router, the APA Selective Router, uses location data to identify the emergency service number for the correct PSAP. This process references the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG), a database of street addresses.  

• Call transfer: The call is routed to the appropriate PSAP, which then dispatches emergency services.  

Satellite SOS Explained. 

After traditional and mobile 911 systems, an additional safety feature is Satellite SOS, which servers use in remote areas where cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable. This function allows users to text emergency services via satellite using on-screen instructions to send vital information, such as location and situation details, available on select devices, including iOS 14 and later, and some Google Pixels. It requires a clear view of the sky and serves as a last resort when off grid.  

How it works. 

1. No signal: When you dial your local emergency number (such as 911 or 112), and there is no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, your phone detects a lack of signal.  

2. Connect to Satellite: An option to use satellite SOS appears. Tap it to begin the connection process.  

3. Find a satellite: Follow the on-screen instructions to align your phone with a clear view of the sky and establish a satellite connection.  

4. Answer the questionnaire: Complete a brief questionnaire about your emergency, including injury type, location, and the number of people involved, to quickly send essential information.  

5. Relay to emergency services: Transmit your message from your device to the satellite via a ground station and then to emergency responders.  

6. Emergency Contacts: Alert your un-designated contacts with your location and emergency details. 

Verizon is making available a $20 account credit to customers affected by Wednesday’s outage. Action is required to claim this credit.  

We did not meet our usual standards yesterday. To help affected customers, we are providing a $20 account credit, redeemable through the MyVerizon app. However, some customers are reporting that the Verizon credit is not showing on their devices. It in no way means that the MyVerizon credit is missing. The credit typically covers several days of service. Customers will receive a text message when the credit is available. Business customers will be contacted directly regarding their credits.  

While this credit does not fully compensate for the disruption, it recognizes your time and shows that we take this issue seriously.  

If you are still experiencing issues, please restart your device to reconnect to the network. We regret the inconvenience and remain dedicated to providing the reliable service you expect from Verizon.  

Verizon Has Introduced A $20 Credit; However, You Must Redeem It. 

Verizon will notify customers by text when the credit is available. In a recent message, Verizon apologized for the outage and stated, “We are extending a $20 account credit easily redeemable via the link below.  

A text message from Verizon reads:  

“Valued Verizon Customer,  

We let you down this week, and for that, we are truly sorry. We would like to extend you a $20 account credit that can be easily redeemed via the link below. On average, this covers multiple days of service. This credit isn’t meant to make up for what happened, but it is a way to acknowledge your time and show that this matters to us.  

If you are having trouble connecting, please restart your device (power down and power back on). To redeem your credit, please visit myvzw.com and click on the ‘Take Action’ or ‘Mobile Action’ buttons.”  

If you did not expect this message from an unknown sender, it may be spam.  

Verizon is distributing the promised $20 credit after Wednesday’s outage. Customers must redeem it, though the process is simple.  

The carrier will send a text message when the credit is available. As shown in a message received by a PCMag staffer, Verizon apologizes for the outage and says we are extending a $20 account credit easily redeemed via the link below.   

Clicking the link opens the MyVerizon app, where you can select the “Redeem now” button for those who prefer not to use links in text messages. That $20 credit is also available by logging in to your Verizon account on the Verizon website.  

However, some customers have experienced difficulties redeeming the credit. One user uploaded a screenshot of a failed link and tweeted, “The irony of trying to redeem my Verizon credit for the outage, and it keeps not being able to connect.”  

Verizon says the credit will appear on the customer’s next monthly bill within 1-2 bill cycles, so it may not appear immediately. Therefore, Verizon users must realize that billing delays can also prevent the $20 credit from appearing on their Verizon accounts.  

Amazon has clarified that it is issuing $20 per customer, not per line. The company states the amount is intended to cover multiple days of service, although the outage lasted about 10 hours. Some customers believe $20 does not adequately compensate for lost work or the inability to make calls, text, or use mobile data, which is especially important for gig workers. Others reported difficulty reaching loved ones during the outage.  

Some customers have received higher compensation after contacting Verizon customer support. One user on Reddit wrote: “If you call, you’re able to request more. I was able to get an additional $50, but I know some people were getting $20/line or even more than $59.” However, others have found it difficult to reach customer support.  

Where To Find The Credit in the App? 

Verizon users will find the credit in the My Verizon app after receiving a text message from the provider. To redeem the $20 Verizon credit, users must log into the My Verizon app and accept the offer. After they receive the text message, business customers will be contacted directly regarding their credits.  

Verizon users must understand that millions of customers were affected by the outage, and Verizon focused on overcoming the challenges it initially faced before deciding to compensate for its customers.  

There might be delays in sending text notifications or in the timing of billing cycles, which Verizon users must consider. Customers must rest assured that Verizon will credit their accounts with $20 when they proactively follow the instructions in the text message and submit their claims.  

Consumers can expect delays, but they must understand that Verizon intends to pay the outage. To compensate them for the loss of access that they faced.