Within days of the September 18 launch, social-media posts claimed some iPhone 18 Pro units had developed vertical green, pink, or red lines. The evidence is thin, partly suspect, and nowhere near enough to confirm a widespread manufacturing defect.
What the Posts Actually Show
The available evidence ranges from credible-looking footage to an image that observers have questioned as potentially manipulated.
The most substantive material comes from an X post attributed to Jay’s Tech, published around September 23. It includes two videos purportedly showing a burgundy iPhone 18 Pro: one with a full-height pink vertical line, the other with a thick green line near the left edge.
The post claims a reset did not resolve either problem.
A separate Reddit image, also purporting to show a green line on an iPhone 18 Pro, has drawn considerably more skepticism. The line appears to pass behind the Wi-Fi icon, a visual inconsistency that suggests possible image manipulation rather than an actual OLED display failures.
Even for the more credible-looking video, device ownership, handling history, and cause remain unestablished. Drops, pressure, bending, or liquid exposure cannot be ruled out for the examples reviewed.
Apple had not officially responded to the display-line claims as of the available sourcing, according to NDTV. The number of affected devices is unknown, and no reliable evidence currently ties the issue to a specific component or establishes it as anything beyond isolated incidents.
What Owners Should Do
iFixit’s diagnostic guidance points toward ruling out software first, then escalating to Apple Support if the line persists.
If your iPhone 18 Pro screen shows a persistent colored line, the following steps reflect iFixit’s recommended approach. A factory reset is useful only for ruling out a software cause, not for repairing physical panel damage.
- Restart the phone and confirm the line remains visible across the home screen, Settings, and during startup
- Record the issue on a second device, capturing the lock screen and multiple apps
- Remove any screen protector or case that could affect the display’s appearance
- Back up the device, then contact Apple Support or an authorized service provider if the line persists
- Note any drop, pressure, or liquid exposure history, as those details affect both diagnosis and warranty treatment
iFixit identifies persistent green or purple lines as consistent with an electrical display issue. It recommends display replacement when software checks do not resolve the symptom.
Keep This Separate from Face ID Reports
Display-line claims and Face ID failures are distinct issues and should not be treated as symptoms of the same problem.
The display-line claims are circulating alongside separate reports of Face ID failures, device freezes, and “Face ID not available” messages on the iPhone 18 Pro. These are distinct symptoms with a different cause profile. One report indicated Apple was aware of the Face ID issue and expected a software fix, though details remain unclear.
The Bottom Line
The display-line evidence is too limited to confirm a systemic defect, but a genuine isolated failure remains possible.
A handful of social-media posts, at least one of which appears questionable, does not establish a widespread problem. If your screen shows a persistent colored line, contact Apple Support. A factory reset will not fix a broken panel. Check back when Apple issues an official statement or when independent testing documents more cases.
