Apple may reportedly delay the standard iPhone 18 and launch the iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max first in September 2026. Check expected features, price, release date and latest leaks.
Apple may reportedly delay the standard iPhone 18 and launch the iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max first in September 2026. [Photo: Social Media]
Apple iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra could launch in September 2026. According to multiple recent leaks, Apple may move away from its traditional launch strategy by introducing only premium iPhone models in September 2026 while delaying the standard iPhone 18 until 2027.
The reported lineup could include the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple's first foldable iPhone, widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra. If the rumours prove accurate, the foldable model could become the headline attraction of Apple's annual September event, marking the company's entry into the rapidly growing foldable smartphone market.
Industry reports suggest Apple will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro during its traditional September launch event in 2026.
The device is expected to retain its 6.3-inch display while introducing several notable upgrades, including a more advanced LTPO+ OLED panel, improved power efficiency, enhanced brightness, and a redesigned Dynamic Island that could be significantly smaller than the current version.
Apple is also reportedly testing a new variable-aperture main camera and upgraded imaging technology aimed at improving low-light photography, portrait shots, and video recording performance.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is also expected to debut alongside the Pro model in September 2026.
Leaks indicate that Apple may retain the large 6.9-inch display while focusing on battery life, camera performance, and processing power. The device could feature one of the largest batteries ever used in a Pro-series iPhone, potentially exceeding 5,100mAh.
The Pro Max is also expected to receive Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chipset, a new C2 modem, improved satellite connectivity, and enhanced AI-powered features integrated throughout iOS 27.
Apple's long-rumoured foldable iPhone could finally arrive in September 2026.
Reports suggest the device may feature a book-style foldable design similar to a passport, with a large 7.8-inch internal OLED display and a 5.5-inch external cover screen. Leaked iOS 27 source code references, such as "foldState" and "mechanicalAngleDegrees", have further fueled speculation that Apple is actively preparing software support for a foldable device.
The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to target the ultra-premium segment and could become the centrepiece of Apple's September launch event.
One of the most talked-about software features expected to arrive with iOS 27 is Spatial Reframing. The feature reportedly uses Apple Intelligence to extend image edges and intelligently recompose photos using natural-language prompts.
Users may be able to adjust framing after capturing an image, allowing the AI system to generate additional visual content around the original photo. Apple is expected to integrate Spatial Reframing directly into the Photos app as part of its expanding AI ecosystem.
Several reports suggest Apple could postpone the standard iPhone 18 and introduce it in early 2027 instead. Analysts believe the company wants to focus marketing attention on the foldable iPhone and premium Pro models.
If Apple follows this strategy, the regular iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and a possible second-generation Air model could arrive several months after the September event. Such a move would represent one of the biggest changes to Apple's iPhone release strategy in years.
While Apple has not confirmed pricing, industry estimates suggest:
Expected India pricing could range from approximately ₹1,19,900 for the Pro model to more than ₹2,00,000 for higher-end foldable variants.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to focus on refinement rather than a complete redesign. Apple is reportedly prioritising display quality, AI integration, battery performance, photography improvements, and processing power.
Expected highlights include the A20 Pro chip built on TSMC's advanced 2nm process, up to 12GB RAM, a smaller Dynamic Island, upgraded camera sensors, improved battery life, enhanced Apple Intelligence features, and deeper integration with iOS 27.
If current leaks prove accurate, Apple's September 2026 event could introduce not only the most powerful Pro iPhones yet but also the company's first foldable smartphone, making it one of the most significant iPhone launches in recent memory.
