People are excited to finally get their hands on the new iPhone 18 Pro and the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max. Even though Apple just announced its big September 9 event, eager buyers will likely have to wait an extra day to claim their phones. A rare date overlap means the company will probably delay opening the online store out of respect for a sensitive anniversary.
The usual schedule changes to avoid a sensitive date
The smartphone maker usually kicks off pre-orders on the first Friday after its keynote presentation. This year, that Friday lands on September 11. Since this day marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, multiple sources indicate the company will push the opening window to Saturday, September 12.
This is not a new move for the company. The calendar lined up the same way back in 2015. Instead of taking orders on a Friday, it simply moved everything to Saturday morning to respect the day of remembrance.
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The newest smartphones hit store shelves in mid-September
Even with a slight delay in taking early orders, the actual release date should stay on track. If the Saturday window holds true, these devices will start arriving at doorsteps and retail stores on Friday, September 18.
Along with the standard pro models, buyers are also looking out for the first foldable iPhone Ultra. Production timelines are still a bit unclear for the folding version, so it might arrive in limited batches or launch much later in the year. If you want the main models on launch day, be ready to place your order on a busy Saturday morning.
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