The iPhone 18 Pro launch schedule is taking shape, and it breaks Apple's usual routine. Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to open on Saturday, September 12 — a day later than Apple's traditional Friday slot — with the phones reaching stores on September 18, MacRumors reports. The shift avoids opening pre-orders on the September 11 anniversary.
Here is the expected timeline, with Philippine time conversions:
| Milestone | US schedule | Philippine time |
|---|
| Apple event | September 9, 10:00 a.m. PT | September 10, 1:00 a.m. |
| iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders | September 12, 12:01 a.m. PT | September 12, 3:01 p.m. |
| iPhone 18 Pro release | September 18 | September 18 (US); PH date not announced |
| iPhone Ultra (foldable) pre-orders | Q4 2026 | To be announced |
Apple confirmed the September 9 "Surprise and Shine" event earlier, where it is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra, alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5. The foldable's availability will lag the Pro models because of manufacturing constraints, with pre-orders expected only in the fourth quarter — a pattern similar to the iPhone X, which launched six weeks after the iPhone 8 in 2017.
How much prices could rise
The bigger question for buyers is price. Research firm TrendForce forecasts iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max prices rising 10 to 20 percent over the current Pro models, driven mostly by memory: for the 256GB Pro configuration, memory costs in the third quarter of 2026 are running nearly 400 percent higher than a year earlier. For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro launched at $1,099 (around ₱68,900), so a hike in that range would push the starting price meaningfully higher — though TrendForce notes Apple plans to absorb part of the cost to stay competitive. The memory-driven price pressure has been building for weeks.
The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to start between $2,099 and $2,299 (around ₱131,500 to ₱144,100), with the top storage configuration potentially exceeding $3,000 (around ₱188,000).
On the hardware side, TrendForce expects the Pro models to carry the 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip for on-device AI, improved cooling, more power-efficient LTPO+ displays, a mechanical variable aperture on the Pro camera, and larger batteries across the lineup.
The Philippine picture
Apple has not announced Philippine pricing or availability for any iPhone 18 model — the September 12 and 18 dates apply to the first-wave markets, and local dates typically follow later. What has moved locally is retail positioning: Power Mac Center, one of the country's largest Apple resellers, opened an official LazMall store on Lazada on September 4, timed ahead of the iPhone 18 wave. "Bringing Power Mac Center to Lazada allows us to make genuine Apple products more accessible to customers nationwide," said Paola Jannicke Balugay, the retailer's e-commerce head.
If TrendForce's 10-20 percent forecast holds, the increase would compound on Philippine SRPs, which already carry taxes and import costs on top of US prices. Buyers weighing an upgrade may want to wait for the September 9 event before deciding — the official numbers land within days.
FAQ
When can Filipinos buy the iPhone 18 Pro?
Apple has not announced a Philippine release date. Pre-orders open September 12 in first-wave markets, with a September 18 release; the Philippines has historically followed weeks later, and official local SRPs will be confirmed after the September 9 event.
How much will the foldable iPhone Ultra cost?
TrendForce estimates a starting price of $2,099 to $2,299 (around ₱131,500 to ₱144,100), with top configurations possibly above $3,000 (around ₱188,000). Pre-orders are expected in Q4 2026, later than the Pro models.
