Apple is getting ready to launch the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026. This year is different from any previous iPhone launch. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Fold are coming in September 2026, while the more affordable iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will not launch until spring 2027. Therefore, if you are upgrading this fall, the iPhone 18 Pro is one of only two standard iPhones available.
Furthermore, the iPhone 18 Pro brings some of the most significant upgrades in years. From Apple’s first ever 2nm chip to a smaller Dynamic Island and a stunning new Dark Cherry colour — here is everything you need to know.
Contents
- 1 iPhone 18 Pro Release Date
- 2 iPhone 18 Pro Price
- 3 iPhone 18 Pro Design — What Is Changing?
- 4 iPhone 18 Pro Specs
- 5 iPhone 18 Pro Key New Features
- 6 iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro — What Changed?
- 7 How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone 18 Pro
- 8 Should You Buy the iPhone 18 Pro?
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
- 10 Also Read:
iPhone 18 Pro Release Date
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 18 Pro in early September 2026 — likely around September 8–14 — following the company’s consistent fall launch pattern. Pre-orders should open the Friday after the announcement, with shipping starting late September.
The official market release would likely fall on a Friday the following week, so either September 18 or September 25.
Mark these dates in your calendar:
- Early September 2026 — Apple Event announcement
- Same day — Pre-orders open
- September 18 or 25, 2026 — iPhone 18 Pro in stores
iPhone 18 Pro Price
Apple is expected to hold the iPhone 18 Pro at its current starting price. Every new iPhone introduced in September 2026 will likely start at $999 or more. Here is the expected pricing breakdown:
| Storage | Expected Price |
|---|---|
| 256GB | $999 |
| 512GB | $1,099 |
| 1TB | $1,299 |
| 2TB | $1,499 |
Additionally, with high-end storage options now reaching 2TB and the cost of new 2nm technology, these will be Apple’s most premium flagships to date.
iPhone 18 Pro Design — What Is Changing?
The iPhone 18 Pro keeps a familiar design. However, several key changes make it instantly recognisable.
Smaller Dynamic Island
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature a smaller Dynamic Island through under-display Face ID technology. This is the first time Apple has shrunk the Dynamic Island since it was introduced in 2022. As a result, you get more usable screen space — especially helpful for watching videos and browsing the web.
Dark Cherry — A Stunning New Colour
A Macworld source revealed that one of the new colourways for the iPhone 18 Pro will be Dark Cherry, replacing the iPhone 17 Pro’s Cosmic Orange option. Furthermore, the dark cherry colour may be more of a dark cherry colour with a tinge of purple in it rather than a darker red shade. Other expected colours include Light Blue, Dark Grey and Silver.
Slightly Transparent Ceramic Shield
One possible change is a “slightly transparent” Ceramic Shield section on the back of Pro models. This gives the iPhone 18 Pro a subtle premium look that no previous iPhone has had.
Same Sizes — 6.3-Inch Display
Apple is not expected to change the sizes of the iPhone 18 Pro models, and they will feature the same 6.3-inch display size as the current models. Additionally, the display is expected to use a new M16 OLED material with more accurate colours and improved efficiency.
iPhone 18 Pro Specs
Here is the full breakdown of all confirmed and leaked iPhone 18 Pro specifications:
| iPhone 18 Pro | |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | September 2026 |
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, M16 |
| Chipset | A20 Pro (2nm TSMC) |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Main Camera | 48MP, variable aperture |
| Ultrawide Camera | 48MP |
| Telephoto Camera | 48MP periscope |
| Front Camera | 24MP |
| Battery | ~4,250mAh |
| Modem | Apple C2 (5G satellite) |
| Biometrics | Under-display Face ID |
| Frame | Titanium |
| OS | iOS 27 |
| Starting Price | ~$999 |
iPhone 18 Pro Key New Features
A20 Pro Chip — Apple’s First 2nm Processor
The A20 Pro chip is the first 2nm mobile processor from Apple, built in partnership with TSMC. It is expected to deliver roughly 15% faster CPU and GPU performance compared to the A19 Pro, along with improved efficiency for Apple Intelligence features.
In practice, this means faster app launches, smoother multitasking and more powerful on-device AI. Furthermore, the A20 Pro will be roughly 15% faster while using 30% less power — the secret sauce behind the rumoured two-day battery life and lightning-fast on-device AI.
Variable Aperture Camera — A First for iPhone
Key improvements include variable aperture cameras — a first for the iPhone lineup. Variable aperture means the camera lens can physically open wider or narrow down depending on lighting conditions. As a result, you get better low-light photos and sharper daytime shots automatically — without manually adjusting any settings.
Under-Display Face ID
Under-display Face ID will shrink the Dynamic Island for the first time. Apple has moved the Face ID sensor underneath the display. This is a significant engineering achievement. Additionally, it means the front of the iPhone 18 Pro is cleaner and more screen-forward than any previous iPhone.
24MP Front Camera
Key improvements include 24MP selfie cameras. This is a big jump from the 12MP front camera on the iPhone 17 Pro. Therefore, your selfies, FaceTime calls and video recordings all benefit from significantly sharper detail.
Apple C2 Modem — 5G Satellite Internet
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature the debut of Apple’s C2 modem. Furthermore, the C2 modem could add support for 5G satellite connectivity, allowing Apple to use NR-NTN, or New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks. This means you can stay connected even in areas with no cellular signal — a major step beyond the existing Emergency SOS satellite feature.
Siri AI — Powered by Gemini
The iPhone 18 Pro Max and Pro are most likely coming with iOS 27 out of the box. The new OS brings a system-wide customisation slider for the Liquid Glass look and the new long-awaited context-aware Siri, which will now be called Siri AI. Additionally, Siri AI will also live in the Dynamic Island and be able to see what is on your screen.
Brighter Display
Key improvements include much brighter displays — making the iPhone 18 Pro easier to read outdoors and more vivid for watching content. The new M16 OLED panel delivers improved colour accuracy alongside the brightness upgrade.
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro — What Changed?
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A19 Pro (3nm) | A20 Pro (2nm) |
| Dynamic Island | Standard | Smaller |
| Face ID | Standard | Under-display |
| Front camera | 12MP | 24MP |
| Main camera | Standard aperture | Variable aperture |
| Modem | C1X | C2 (5G satellite) |
| Colour | Cosmic Orange | Dark Cherry |
| Display | M15 OLED | M16 OLED, brighter |
| iOS | iOS 26 | iOS 27 |
How to Take a Screenshot on iPhone 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro uses the same screenshot method as all Face ID iPhones. Press the Side button + Volume Up button at the same time. Additionally, with iOS 27’s new Siri AI you can say “Hey Siri, take a screenshot” and it saves automatically. For a complete guide on all iPhone screenshot methods, read our Apple screenshot guide.
Should You Buy the iPhone 18 Pro?
Yes — if you are on iPhone 15 Pro or older. The 2nm chip, C2 modem, and under-display Face ID represent a genuine generational leap. Furthermore, the variable aperture camera and 24MP front camera are meaningful upgrades for everyday photography.
Wait — if you have an iPhone 17 Pro. The upgrades are real but the jump from 17 Pro to 18 Pro is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Unless the Dark Cherry colour or satellite internet are must-haves, the 17 Pro remains excellent.
Consider — the Pro Max instead. If battery life and display size matter to you, the iPhone 18 Pro Max offers a significantly larger battery and screen for a higher price. We cover everything about the Pro Max in our iPhone 18 Pro Max guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the iPhone 18 Pro come out? The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch in September 2026 — likely announced around September 8–14 and available in stores by September 18 or 25.
How much does the iPhone 18 Pro cost? The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to start at $999 for the 256GB model, with higher storage options going up to $1,499 for 2TB.
What is new in the iPhone 18 Pro? The biggest upgrades are the A20 Pro 2nm chip, smaller Dynamic Island with under-display Face ID, variable aperture camera, 24MP front camera, C2 modem with 5G satellite internet and a new Dark Cherry colour.
What colours does the iPhone 18 Pro come in? The iPhone 18 Pro is expected in Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Grey and Silver. Dark Cherry is the headline new colour for 2026, replacing the Cosmic Orange from the iPhone 17 Pro.
Does the iPhone 18 Pro have satellite internet? Yes. The iPhone 18 Pro includes Apple’s new C2 modem which supports 5G satellite internet connectivity — allowing you to stay connected even with no cellular signal.
What chip does the iPhone 18 Pro have? The iPhone 18 Pro uses the A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process — Apple’s first ever 2nm mobile processor, delivering 15% faster performance and 30% better power efficiency than the A19 Pro.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro worth buying in 2026? Yes — especially if you are on iPhone 15 Pro or older. The A20 Pro chip, under-display Face ID, variable aperture camera and C2 modem make it one of the biggest iPhone Pro upgrades in years.
Also Read:
- iPhone 18 Pro Max — Everything You Need to Know
- Apple iPhone Ultra — Everything You Need to Know
- iOS 27 — Every New Feature & Release Date
- How to Screenshot on iPhone
- MacRumors iPhone 18 Pro Tracker
- Apple Official Site
Arslan Jaffar is a mobile tech writer and the founder of Screenshot Geek, a resource covering 500+ Android and iOS devices. He writes step-by-step screenshot guides, troubleshooting fixes, tips and tricks, top device lists, and the latest news in the smartphone world. With a focus on making technology simple and accessible, Arslan helps thousands of users get the most out of their phones — from finding the right button combo to mastering hidden features most people don’t know exist.