August 23 update. This post, first published on August 21, has been republished with more details on the release schedule and more comments on the dates. September is almost here and, with it, a series of new iPhones. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the company’s first foldable phone, not to mention a pair of new Apple Watch models. By the way, the base iPhone 18 isn’t expected to arrive until spring 2027. Details of what will happen change all the time – here’s the latest rundown of what to expect. Apple iPhone 17 ProGetty Images iPhone 18 Pro launch: main announcement on August 25 or 26 The exact date when Apple will announce its special event could come next week. Forbes The design of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro is identical in size to the iPhone 17 Pro, says Case-MakerBy David PhelanThe keynote, as you will see below, will surely take place in the second week of September. In recent years, Apple has announced the event exactly two weeks in advance. This year, that means Wednesday, August 26. However, Apple actually prefers Tuesdays for its special events. The fact that this year’s keynote is on a Wednesday doesn’t stop the company from making its announcement on its beloved Tuesday, so it’s possible that Tuesday, August 25 will be the announcement day. “Apple has announced its annual iPhone event two weeks in advance for four years in a row,” noted Zac Hall on 9to5Mac. “That makes August 26 the strongest prediction for Apple’s iPhone 18 event invite. Tuesday, August 25 remains another possibility, but it would create a 15-day gap rather than continuing Apple’s recent 14-day pattern,” he added. I think this is accurate, but I have a feeling that Apple could surprise us and go for Tuesday, August 25; If the company is ready, there is no reason not to do it. Wednesday, September 9 This is the key date, and all other events follow from it. Fortunately, it seems that Apple has decided what date that will be. As mentioned above, Apple usually holds its major iPhone events on Tuesdays. This year, however, I think it will be on a Wednesday; you can read the research I did to support this here. It’s essentially because Apple has never held an iPhone event the day after Labor Day, which this year falls on Monday, September 7. In years where Labor Day has been that day before (which isn’t always the case, since it’s specifically the first Monday in September, of course), the keynote speech occurred later, making Wednesday, September 9 the most likely. “The last time the holiday was on that day was in 2020, but that year’s iPhone event was delayed until October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time Labor Day was on September 7 in a normal year was 2015, and the iPhone event took place on Wednesday, September 9 of that year,” as MacRumors noted, adding: “Consequently, the most likely date for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone event Ultra this year is on Wednesday, September 9 until proven otherwise.” I agree with that and I don’t think it can be proven otherwise. So when the site added an extra line, I disagree. “Another possibility is that Apple waits until Tuesday, September 15 to hold the event, in which case pre-orders would likely begin on Friday, September 18. The devices would then likely launch on Friday, September 25,” he said. I’m sure that won’t be the case. iPhone 18 Pro Launch: Pre-orders open Saturday, September 12. Get ready to buy the phone or watch of your dreams on this day. This one is interesting. Pre-orders almost always open the Friday following the keynote. This year, it is Friday, September 11. Apple has been careful to avoid this significant date in the past, and since it’s the day’s 25th anniversary, it looks like it will move pre-orders to the next day, Saturday, September 12. iPhone 18 Pro release date: Friday, September 18. Assuming all other items on this list are correct, the on-sale date for the new hardware is certain. The new iPhone 18 Pro will go on sale on Friday of the week after the keynote. This year, it will be Friday, September 18. ForbesiOS 26.6.1: Apple gave iPhone users 29 reasons to upgrade nowBy David Phelan
