When will the iPhone 18 Pro go on sale? Well, Apple’s meticulous planning means that previous years can give us clues about what will happen and when. Read on for a full summary, based on the latest developments.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: The next iPhone is on the way.
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July 13 Update: This post, originally published on July 10, has been updated with more details on the exact release schedule, including Apple’s first foldable device.
iPhone 18 Pro: how iOS 27 beta versions are scheduled
The software that will power the iPhone 18 Pro, and all iPhones up to the iPhone 11 series, is currently in developer beta. So far this seems to be right on time, with the third beta released in the last few days, on Monday, July 6. That matches exactly the timings for beta versions in previous years, so it appears Apple’s beta software release is going smoothly.
Next week will confirm this, as it should mean that next week, that is, the week starting Monday, July 13, will see the next milestone: the release of the first public beta.
Last year, the public beta was late, which could have complicated the process. Perhaps due to the complexity of the new Liquid Glass design that iOS 26 introduced, Apple delayed the first public beta until the fourth developer beta came out.
Reports this year, including from commentators like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, suggest things are going very well so far.
If so, expect the public beta on Monday, July 13 or Tuesday, July 14. Assuming that happens, as I think it will, that means the next big event on the calendar will be the special event when Apple announces the iPhones.
iPhone 18 Pro: Apple September special event
This is where I disagree with Mark Gurman. He recently stated that the September keynote, where everything from hardware to price to release date will be revealed, will be on Tuesday, September 8, with Wednesday, September 9 as a possible backup.
I am convinced that September 8 is wrong. It’s the day after Labor Day and Apple doesn’t hold its keynotes the day after a holiday.
I believe Wednesday, September 9 at 10am Pacific Time will be the day, date and time of the event and is the number one focus, not a backup.
At the event, expect newly inaugurated CEO John Ternus to announce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first foldable phone, possibly called the iPhone Ultra (not to mention two Apple Watches and perhaps a surprise new product).
iPhone 18 Pro: pre-orders open
The keynote will confirm more than just the products on the way and, assuming Wednesday, September 9, is correct, the other dates will flow like clockwork.
The keynote will reveal the date pre-orders will open, for starters. This will almost certainly be on Friday, September 11. If last year’s schedule matches, that will mean an early morning for potential buyers in California, for example, who want to be at the front of the line, as pre-orders will likely begin at 5 a.m. Pacific time. It’s 8am Eastern Time, 1pm UK.
Being the first to buy helps ensure that you not only get the model you want but also the storage capacity and color.
iPhone 18 Pro: iOS 27 general release
Next, the software that is flowing so smoothly right now will be the next event on the calendar when it is released generally. The exact date could change, but it will likely be Monday, September 14 at approximately 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern, 6pm UK.
It is possible that it will be a day later, at the same time on Tuesday, September 15.
iPhone 18 Pro: Launch Week Events
After the software update, the next event on Apple’s (unannounced) calendar will be the release of reviews of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. They will almost certainly appear on Tuesday September 15, probably starting at 6am Pacific, 9am Eastern, 2pm UK.
Since it seems likely that the keynote will be on a Wednesday instead of the more usual Monday or Tuesday, it’s possible that the reviews will also appear later, perhaps on Wednesday, September 16 at the same times, to give reviewers a little more time with the new products.
The foldable iPhone
While it still seems likely that the first foldable iPhone, possibly called the iPhone Ultra, will be unveiled at the keynote on Wednesday, September 9, it doesn’t guarantee the folder will be available immediately. Historically, a new product category, such as the iPhone X, which was announced alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, has been somewhat delayed. In the case of the iPhone X, the delay was until November.
It is not yet known whether the foldable phone will go on sale immediately or not. There have been numerous reports that it won’t be, and many more that it will be.
If Apple announces that the Ultra will arrive later, the reviews will also arrive later, probably two or three days before the on-sale date, which we will learn from the keynote.
iPhone 18 Pro: expected sale date
I’ve been predicting a date for the next iPhones to hit stores all along, and so far I have no reason to change this. I believe the iPhone 18 Pro and other phones will go on sale on Friday, September 18.
