Apple is expected to launch its next-generation flagship smartphones at its September launch, but customers looking to get their hands on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max might have to wait a little longer than usual to place their orders. Although the launch is planned for September 9, 2026, Apple has the potential to delay the release date for pre-orders by a day or two in line with its usual schedule of pre-orders.
According to a report by Macworld which cites its German sister publication Macwelt, Apple could open pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup on Saturday, September 12. If the company follows its traditional launch pattern, pre-orders would normally begin on Friday, September 11, and the smartphones would arrive in customers' hands the following week.
The possibility of change is even more remarkable because September 11, 2026, will be the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Apple has changed its pre-order schedule for iPhones in the past, and on Friday, September 11, when September 11 was typically the company's usual pre-order date, pre-orders went on Friday. In 2015, Apple relocated pre-orders for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus from Friday, September 11, to Saturday, September 12.
If the report is true, Apple could once again avoid launching pre-orders on September 11. That would be a striking shift from the very predictable iPhone launch schedule with which Apple has long been associated, but Apple has not confirmed that the anniversary is the reason for the change.
iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders could start at Midnight.
There may be another change to Apple’s usual launch routine this year. The report suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro pre-order window might open at midnight Pacific Time on September 12 instead of the usual 5 a.m. PT start.
Apple’s pre-order launches have typically attracted huge numbers of customers attempting to place orders immediately after they go live. The midnight opening may therefore provide early buyers with a different purchasing experience and potentially affect delivery estimates for customers who do not place their orders immediately.
The reported schedule may also apply to other products that Apple is expected to launch at its September event. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are rumored to be released alongside the new iPhone models, and pre-order availability could be on the same timeline.
But customers should take these details as unconfirmed at this point. Apple has not formally announced the date for pre-orders or when the orders will open.
Foldable iPhone may follow a different schedule
One of Apple's big attractions for launching a new product in 2026 would be that Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market is widely anticipated. Apple is expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone in September, making the September event considerably more significant than a conventional annual iPhone refresh.
But buyers interested in the foldable model might not be able to order it alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The report said pre-orders for the foldable iPhone could start later than usual, perhaps in late September.
A separate pre-order window would allow Apple to manage the launch of multiple major products while still having some time to prepare inventory for its first foldable smartphone. The different timing could also mean that customers who buy Apple's traditional Pro models will have them well before the foldable iPhone becomes available.
What to expect from Apple's September event?
The September 9 event is expected to be one of Apple’s most eagerly awaited product launches of the year. In addition to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple will likely also introduce its new Apple Watch models and possibly its first foldable iPhone.
The most important dates for consumers are September 9 for the product announcement and September 12 for the reported iPhone 18 Pro pre-order launch. If the midnight PT timing is also correct, then buyers may need to plan ahead if they want to secure an early delivery.
Still, Apple might change its schedule before the event, and the company has yet to officially confirm any of these dates. The final pre-order timing, launch availability, and delivery schedule are likely to be revealed around the September 9 announcement.
For now, prospective iPhone 18 Pro buyers should view September 12 as a possibility instead of an official Apple date. The company will provide the definitive details during its September 9 event.
