Apple has officially opened global pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max as of September 12. The devices feature the A20 Pro chip, manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process, alongside a new mechanical variable aperture camera system and enhanced on-device AI capabilities.
The company has restructured its storage offerings, eliminating the 128GB version. The new lineup starts at 256GB, with 512GB and 1TB options available. Consequently, the starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro is $1099, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1199, marking a $100 increase over previous entry-level models.
Hardware upgrades include a redesigned vapor chamber cooling system and a refined Dynamic Island that supports up to three simultaneous live activities. The primary camera now incorporates mechanical variable aperture technology, and all models feature periscope telephoto lenses.
Pre-orders are available through Apple's official website, the Apple Store app, authorized retailers, and telecom carriers. Users enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program had access to a pre-approval process. Initial shipments and retail availability are scheduled to begin on September 18.
Market analysts note that these models are the primary drivers for Apple's 2026 autumn upgrade cycle, as the standard iPhone 18 is delayed until spring 2027. Despite the price hike, initial demand for high-capacity versions has been strong, with delivery estimates for some models extending by several weeks shortly after launch.
