Apple iPhone 18 Pro models may launch in September 2026

Apple plans to release its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models in September 2026, according to recent reports from industry analysts.

The company will begin testing the devices on mass production lines in early January 2026, with full production starting before the Lunar New Year on February 17, 2026.

This timeline positions the Pro variants for their traditional fall debut, while the standard iPhone 18 could arrive in early 2027.

Production lines for the iPhone 18 Pro series stand ready, signaling that designs are locked in without major external alterations from the prior generation.

Analysts point to a potential split in Apple's release strategy for the lineup, which includes the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and possibly an iPhone Fold.

The Pro models would hit the market first in September 2026, and the base iPhone 18 would follow months later. 

"the iPhone 18 is on course to make its debut in the first few months of 2027," stated a report from analyst Fixed Focus Digital. 

The iPhone 18 Pro features a triple-lens rear camera in a plateau design similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, along with a slightly narrower pill-shaped cutout for the front camera and sensors.

Rumors of under-display Face ID or a single-hole camera have not materialized for this series. 

"It does not have a single camera, and does not have under-screen Face ID or an under-screen camera," noted Instant Digital in a post on Weibo.

Apple's A20 chip, built on a 2-nanometer process, will power the Pro models, delivering gains in performance and efficiency, though this upgrade may remain exclusive to the higher-end devices to control costs.

The series could also include 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the iPhone 17 lineup.