Apple’s September iPhone launch could bring a few changes this year, both to the products being announced and the schedule around their release. The company is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, while the event will also be the first major iPhone launch for incoming CEO John Ternus. Apple may now be changing its pre-order schedule as well, with a report pointing to a Saturday start instead of the usual Friday.
iPhone 18 Pro pre-order date
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable iPhone, reportedly called the iPhone Ultra, on September 9th. The company generally opens iPhone pre-orders on the Friday after its launch event. This year, that date would be September 11th.
According to Macwelt (via), however, a source claims Apple will delay pre-orders by a day and start accepting orders on Saturday, September 12th. That’s because September 11th is a day of remembrance and mourning in the US. Apple could also change the start time. Instead of its usual 5 am PT (5.30 pm IST) opening, pre-orders are reportedly expected to begin at midnight PT on September 12th. That would put the start at around 12.30 pm IST in India.
There is precedent for the Saturday schedule. In 2015, Apple opened pre-orders for the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus on September 12th, which was also a Saturday following September 11th.
The same schedule is expected to cover the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and other products announced during the event. The foldable iPhone Ultra could be different, though. Several previous reports have claimed that Apple may delay its pre-orders until later in September, even if the phone is unveiled alongside the Pro models.
Apple event: what to expect
Apple’s September 9th event will take place at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park at 10am PT (10:30pm IST). Ternus is becoming CEO on September 1st, replacing Tim Cook, who will become executive chairman after 15 years as Apple’s chief executive.
The iPhone launch could also mark a change in Apple’s release timeline. Reports suggest the standard iPhone 18 and second-generation iPhone Air may not be announced this year, with both models reportedly pushed to 2027. That would leave the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Ultra as the main new iPhones at the September event.
The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to retain a design similar to the iPhone 17 Pro series, but could get a smaller Dynamic Island, new colours and camera upgrades. The Pro Max is rumoured to feature a 48MP main camera with variable aperture, while both models could use Apple’s A20 Pro chip, reportedly manufactured on a 2nm process.
The iPhone Ultra is expected to use a book-style foldable design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8. Rumoured specifications include a 5.3-5.5-inch outer display, a 7.6-7.8-inch inner OLED screen and 120Hz ProMotion support. A thinner body and redesigned hinge are also expected.
The iPhone 18 Pro models may be the obvious choice for buyers if availability after launch is the priority, and waiting for the pre-orders to begin makes sense now. The foldable Ultra could cost substantially more and may not enter pre-orders at the same time. However, all iPhones are expected to come with a hiked price tag this year, as the memory component cost crisis has made increases unavoidable, in Tim Cook’s own terms.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Images
| Expected Price: | N/A |
| Release Date: | (Expected) |
| Variant: | 12 GB RAM |
| Phone Status: | Upcoming Phone |
