iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders Open September 12 With A20 Pro Chip and Price Hikes

Apple’s latest flagship lineup arrives with a familiar sting for buyers. Following price increases across previous generations, Apple raised prices for the iPhone 16, 17 and Air by $100, according to reporting on current pre-order availability. Vanilla models of the iPhone 18 are not expected until next year, leaving the Pro tier to lead the autumn hardware cycle.

Pre-Order Timelines and Apple’s $100 Price Increases

Customers can place their pre-orders starting Saturday, September 12, 2026. Official details from Apple’s corporate newsroom confirm that pre-orders open at 5:30 p.m. IST on apple.com and through the Apple Store app, with devices scheduled to arrive in stores and online worldwide beginning Friday, September 18.

Inside the A20 Pro Chip and Variable Aperture Optics

The technical backbone of the new flagships is Apple’s first 2-nanometre processor. The A20 Pro chip runs at close to 5GHz—peaking at 4.93GHz—and has already generated massive benchmark scores on Geekbench. To sustain peak performance during intensive tasks, both Pro models feature a next-generation vapour chamber designed to handle heavy on-device AI workloads.

Camera hardware receives a major overhaul with a new 48MP main camera featuring a variable aperture ranging from f/1.5 to f/4.0. This system automatically adjusts for depth of field and lighting conditions. Upgraded Photographic Styles introduce new texture and grain controls, while updated battery designs leverage silicon efficiencies to improve longevity. The iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers the largest battery life increase seen on a Pro model to date.

Apple Intelligence and the iOS 27 Software Experience

Running on iOS 27, the iPhone 18 Pro models integrate the next generation of Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. The upgraded assistant introduces personal context understanding, broad world knowledge, and onscreen awareness designed to help users navigate tasks throughout the day. Privacy and security remain at the core of these on-device intelligence features.

Both Pro models will be available in four distinct finishes: black, silver, glacier, and an all-new burgundy. Buyers looking to offset upgrade costs can utilize Apple Trade In, which offers instant credits ranging from INR 5,500 to INR 81,500 when trading in an iPhone 8 or higher.

Expanding the Ecosystem: Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4, and AirPods 5

The September hardware rollout extends well past the phone lineup. Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, AirPods 5, Mac mini, and Mac Studio are all available for pre-order, with the watch models and AirPods arriving alongside the new iPhones on September 18. Desktop hardware updates follow shortly after, with the Mac mini and Mac Studio landing in stores on Tuesday, September 22.

The new wearables introduce significant health tracking upgrades driven by the S11 chip and a new Health Sensing System. Apple Watch Series 12 offers up to 24 hours of everyday battery life, with fast charging providing up to 12 additional hours in just 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Apple Watch Ultra 4 targets endurance athletes with up to 45 hours of outdoor workout tracking and over two days—up to 50 hours—of everyday battery life.

The Foldable Horizon: iPhone Duo and Market Alternatives

Beyond traditional candy-bar flagships, Apple is preparing to enter the foldable market. The wide foldable known as the iPhone Duo is slated for pre-orders in mid-October, with sales beginning a week later. Measuring 11.3mm thick and weighing 254g, the Duo features a 48MP main camera with sensor shift OIS and a 48MP ultra-wide lens, entering a competitive US market currently dominated by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series.

iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders Open September 12 With A20 Pro Chip and Price Hikes — Photo: Apple

As buyers weigh their options against Apple’s higher pricing tiers, the broader market offers stiff competition. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra provide alternative camera arrays and AI features, while foldable alternatives like the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra offer thinner and lighter book-style designs. Yet with pre-orders live and Apple Intelligence rolling out via iOS 27, the company is betting that performance gains and deep ecosystem integration will outweigh the latest price bump.