Apple's Iphone 18 Pro Expected to Launch in September 2026
WHO:
Forbes - Apple is the company launching the iPhone 18 Pro.
MacRumors - Lin En-ping is the chairman of Largan Precision, a key Apple supplier.
WHAT:
MacRumors - The standard iPhone 18 model is expected to launch in early 2027, alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2, approximately six months after the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Forbes - The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first folding iPhone are expected to go on sale.
MacRumors - The standard iPhone 18 model will launch in early 2027, while only the iPhone 18 Pro models will debut this year.
MacRumors - Apple plans to split future iPhone launches across two release windows: premium models in September and lower-cost models in spring.
WHERE:
Forbes - The special event keynote is likely to take place in Cupertino, California.
WHEN:
Forbes - The special event keynote is likely on Wednesday, Sept. 9, but could potentially shift to Monday, Sept. 14 or Tuesday, Sept. 15 if there are delays.
Forbes - Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro are likely to open on Friday, Sept. 11, with the exact timing expected to be 8 a.m. Pacific.
Forbes - The special event keynote is likely on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Forbes - Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro are likely to open on Friday, Sept. 11.
MacRumors - The standard iPhone 18 is expected to launch in early 2027.
WHY:
MacRumors - The staggered approach to iPhone launches is expected to help Apple manage manufacturing resources more efficiently and maintain sales momentum throughout the year.
HOW:
Forbes - The iOS 27 Developer Beta was launched on the day of the keynote, aligning with last year's schedule.
MacRumors - Comments from Lin En-ping indicated that a major U.S. customer postponed the launch of a new model to the first quarter of 2027, affecting component procurement.
(UPDATED June 16, 2026 18:33 UTC)
A special event keynote is likely scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, but it could shift to Monday, September 14, or Tuesday, September 15, if there are any delays. Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro are expected to open on Friday, September 11, at 8 a.m. Pacific time. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 model, along with the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2, is anticipated to launch in early 2027, about six months after the release of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
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(UPDATED June 16, 2026 12:38 UTC)
Apple is set to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, along with the iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first folding iPhone, during a special event likely to take place in Cupertino, California, on Wednesday, September 9. Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro are expected to open on Friday, September 11, while the standard iPhone 18 model is slated for release in early 2027. This staggered approach to iPhone launches is designed to help Apple manage manufacturing resources more efficiently and sustain sales momentum throughout the year.