iPhone 18 series launch timeline: Here’s when Apple’s new flagship and first foldable device could be announced, pre-ordered and released

Apple's next iPhone launch is getting closer, and the company's usual September schedule is beginning to take shape. According to a recent Forbes report, Apple could hold its special event on Wednesday, September 9, where it is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside other products, including the company's first foldable iPhone and new Apple Watch models.

The exact schedule has not yet been officially confirmed by Apple. However, Forbes contributor David Phelan's analysis of Apple's previous iPhone launch patterns points to a sequence of dates that could give prospective buyers an idea of when the new devices may be announced, ordered and released.

iPhone 18 Pro could be announced on September 9

The most important date in the expected schedule is Wednesday, September 9. The outlet reports that this is currently the most likely date for Apple's iPhone keynote. Apple has traditionally favored Tuesdays for its major September events, but this year's calendar creates an unusual situation.

Labor Day in the US falls on Monday, September 7, meaning the Tuesday immediately afterward would be September 8. According to Forbes, Apple has historically avoided holding its iPhone launch event on the day immediately following Labor Day when the holiday falls in a way that creates that scheduling conflict. That makes Wednesday, September 9 a more likely option this year.

Apple has yet to officially announce the event date. If the September 9 schedule materializes, the keynote would become the starting point for the rest of Apple's expected iPhone 18 Pro launch timeline.

iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders could begin September 12

The next major date could come just three days after the keynote. Forbes expects Apple to open iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders on Saturday, September 12, rather than the Friday immediately following the launch event.

Apple frequently opens pre-orders on the Friday after its September iPhone presentation. This year, that would fall on September 11.

However, September 11 carries particular significance in the United States because it marks the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, and Apple has previously avoided using that date for product pre-orders.

As a result, the company could shift pre-orders to Saturday, September 12, according to the report.

iPhone 18 Pro release date could be September 18

The final major date in the expected sequence is Friday, September 18. This would be the likely retail release date for the new iPhone hardware if the rest of the proposed schedule holds.

Apple's established pattern is to put its new iPhones on sale on the Friday following the opening of pre-orders. With pre-orders potentially beginning on September 12, September 18 would fit that broader launch pattern.

Customers could therefore potentially have the following timeline:

• September 9: Apple keynote and iPhone 18 Pro announcement
• September 12: Pre-orders potentially open
• September 18: iPhone 18 Pro potentially goes on sale

These dates remain expected rather than officially confirmed.

What could Apple announce alongside the iPhone 18 Pro?

The September event is expected to be larger than a conventional iPhone launch. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to headline the presentation, while Apple could also introduce its first foldable iPhone.

New Apple Watch models are also expected as part of the broader September hardware refresh.

That means Apple's September event could become one of its most significant product launches in years, particularly if the long-rumored foldable iPhone debuts alongside the flagship iPhone models.