iPhone 18 Pro release date rumors: when we expect Apple’s next flagship to launch

Apple’s September event is confirmed, with the iPhone 18 Pro expected to follow later this month.

We’re now under a week away from Apple’s biggest iPhone launch of the year, and while nothing has been officially announced yet, we now have an iPhone 18 Pro-shaped picture starting to appear. Apple has confirmed its next special event for September 9th, where the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to make their debut alongside the company’s first foldable iPhone. Pre-orders are now reported to begin on September 12th, with the new Pro models expected to go on sale on September 18th.

When is the iPhone 18 Pro expected to be released?

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be released on Friday, September 18th, 2026.

Apple hasn’t confirmed that date yet, but it follows the company’s usual launch pattern, with new flagship iPhones typically going on sale on the Friday of the week following its September event. Current reporting also points firmly towards September 18th for both Pro models.

Here’s how the launch currently looks:

• Apple special event September 9th – confirmed
• iPhone 18 Pro announcement September 9th – expected
• Pre-orders September 12th – reported
• iOS 27 release September 14th – predicted
• iPhone 18 Pro release September 18th – expected

The interesting change is the pre-order date. Apple normally opens orders on the Friday following its event, but that falls on September 11th this year. Reports now suggest pre-orders will instead begin at 12am PT on Saturday, September 12th.

What about the regular iPhone 18?

The standard iPhone 18 isn’t expected to appear alongside the Pro models. Reports point towards Apple splitting its iPhone release schedule for this generation, with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launching first, while the standard iPhone 18 is expected to follow in spring 2027.

That should leave the September event focused on its premium phones, including its long-rumored first foldable iPhone. Exactly what that device will be called remains unclear, despite “iPhone Ultra” being one of the names currently circulating.