Apple used its “Surprise and Shine” event on September 9 to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo. Pre-orders for the two Pro models opened today, September 12, at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.
There is no standard iPhone 18 this year. Apple split its lineup: premium models arrive in the fall, while the more affordable iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are expected in spring 2027.
What’s new in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
Both phones run on the A20 Pro, Apple’s first chip built on a 2-nanometer process. Apple pairs it with 12GB of RAM and a redesigned vapor chamber the company says triples the cooling surface area compared to the iPhone 17 Pro.
The headline camera change is a variable-aperture main lens with four settings, a first for an iPhone. Apple also dropped the 128GB base storage tier: both Pro models now start at 256GB, with 512GB, 1TB, and, for the first time on an iPhone, 2TB above that.
The iPhone 18 Pro has a 6.3-inch display and starts at $1,199. The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and starts at $1,299. Both are $100 more than last year’s starting prices. Apple and industry analysts point to an ongoing memory chip shortage, driven partly by AI data center demand, as the reason behind this year’s price increases across several product lines.
iPhone Duo: Apple’s first foldable
The iPhone Duo is a book-style foldable with two screens that meet in a single continuous frame. It carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, which Apple says is a first for this style of foldable phone. Pricing starts at $1,999. Pre-orders begin October 16, and the phone ships October 23.
Also announced
Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 12, built on the S11 chip with upgraded health sensors and a new ceramic case option, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4, which Apple says adds roughly two extra days of battery life. Pre-orders for both watches and the new AirPods 5 opened on September 9, and all three launch September 18, the same day as the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
The new devices ship with iOS 27, which includes a rebuilt version of Siri. This year’s keynote was led by Apple CEO John Ternus.
Release timeline at a glance
- September 9: Pre-orders open for Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5
- September 12: Pre-orders open for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
- September 18: iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, the new watches, and AirPods 5 all go on sale
- October 16: Pre-orders open for the iPhone Duo
- October 23: iPhone Duo ships
Frequently Asked Questions
When do iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders start?
Pre-orders opened September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time. The phones go on sale September 18.
How much does the iPhone 18 Pro cost?
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 for 256GB. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299. Both are $100 more than last year’s starting prices.
Is there a regular iPhone 18?
Not this year. Apple is releasing only Pro-tier models in September; a standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are expected in spring 2027.
What is the iPhone Duo?
It’s Apple’s first foldable iPhone, with two screens that fold into one continuous frame. It starts at $1,999, with pre-orders opening October 16 and shipping October 23.
What makes the A20 Pro chip different?
It’s Apple’s first chip built on a 2-nanometer manufacturing process, which Apple says improves both performance and power efficiency over the previous generation.