Apple Set to Release iPhone 18: Here’s Everything We Know

Apple has confirmed its annual iPhone event for September 9, 2026, and the company is expected to unveil its Pro, Pro Max and Ultra models at the event. This is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most anticipated events in years. Industry reports suggest the Ultra will be a long-rumored foldable device, arriving alongside updated versions of Apple’s existing lineup, though not all models are expected to launch in September.

Release Timing

Apple appears to be adjusting its traditional rollout structure this year. The Pro, Pro Max, and Ultra models are expected to be announced at the September event, though the foldable’s actual pre-order date may lag behind the rest of the lineup due to limited early production. The iPhone 18e, along with the standard iPhone 18 and the next-generation Air, are expected to follow in early 2027, a departure from Apple’s usual pattern of releasing standard and Pro models simultaneously.

Nikkei reports that Apple intends to release at least five new iPhone models between the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027, aligning with expectations that the foldable will launch alongside updated versions of its four existing models.

The Foldable iPhone

Photo: Could this be what the rumored iPhone Fold will look like? (Majin via X)

Production has already ramped up, with suppliers instructed to prepare for output in the millions of units this year.

Design leaks point to a notable departure from Apple’s traditional form factor. The device will feature a compact, book-style fold with a smaller external display and a larger internal screen closer in proportion to a tablet than a phone. Reports also suggest the device is expected to forgo Face ID in favor of Touch ID, a compromise attributed to its slim profile, and is expected to ship without a telephoto lens.

Colour options appear limited to two understated finishes, and supply constraints are widely anticipated ahead of launch.

Updates Across the Standard Lineup

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain a familiar design while gaining internal upgrades, including a next-generation processor built for stronger performance. Camera improvements are also anticipated, potentially including a mechanically adjustable aperture, a first for the Pro line.

The standard iPhone 18 may see changes to its internal components. An iPhone Air successor is also expected, with rumored improvements including extended battery life and the addition of a second rear camera, addressing one of the more common criticisms of the original Air model.

Pricing Pressures Loom

Photo: Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNET
CNET’s creative director gave a preview of the possible colour choices coming to the iPhone 18 series.

Broader economic conditions are shaping expectations around cost. Apple CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged that the company has worked to shield customers from rising component prices, but described the current environment as unsustainable, a statement that preceded price increases across several Mac and iPad models.

Looking Ahead

Beyond this year’s release, Apple is reportedly developing additional hardware for 2027, including a next-generation foldable and a special edition iPhone marking the product line’s twentieth anniversary, expected to feature a nearly borderless display and curved glass construction.

Apple has confirmed the September 9 event and the general shape of this year’s lineup. The foldable’s design, specifications, release timing beyond September, and pricing across the range remain unconfirmed and are based on industry reports and leaks. Apple has, as a matter of policy, declined to comment on unreleased hardware, leaving the final picture to unfold at the September event.

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