The highly anticipated launch of the next generation of smartphones is right around the corner. While fans are used to a specific schedule, Apple might change things up this year for its newest flagship device. A new report claims that the iPhone 18 Pro will not go on sale on the usual Friday after the announcement. Instead, the company is reportedly moving the order date to Saturday, September 12, marking a rare shift in its launch pattern.
The company changes its pre-order schedule to respect a memorial
According to recent rumors, the tech giant plans to announce its new iPhone models on Wednesday, September 9. Normally, the brand opens up early sales on the very next Friday. This year, that standard Friday falls on September 11. Because this date marks a major national tragedy in the US, the company wants to avoid running a massive sales event out of respect.
This is not the first time the hardware maker adjusted its calendar for this reason. Back in 2015, the brand pushed early sales for the iPhone 6S to a Saturday to avoid launching on the same day of mourning. If the current rumors hold true, eager buyers will need to prepare for a weekend start.
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Early buyers may have to log on at midnight Saturday
The change in the calendar might also come with a different launch time. Reports indicate that early sales will open at midnight Pacific Time on Saturday. This is a shift from the typical 5 AM Pacific Time slot the company used for delayed order windows in recent years. This means buyers on the East Coast will have to stay up late Friday night if they want to secure a device right away.
This new schedule is expected to apply to the main premium phones and upcoming smartwatches. However, the rumored foldable phone, often called the Ultra, might have a completely different timeline. Industry insiders think the foldable model will launch later in the month due to production limits. The company has not officially confirmed these dates, but shoppers should keep their weekend open just in case they need to order their new phone on a Saturday.
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