iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders could kick off slightly later than usual

iPhone 18 Pro will be unveiled on September 9, and a new report says pre-orders for the device will kick off slightly later than usual.

iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders likely starting Saturday, September 12

Apple announced this week that its big iPhone event will happen on Wednesday, September 9.

Normally, the company follows a very predictable schedule for fall iPhone launches. After the event, pre-orders usually open on Friday of that same week, with devices shipping the following Friday.

But we’re expecting a slightly different plan this year, and a new report corroborates the change.

This year, the ‘normal’ pre-order day would fall on Friday, September 11. The last time that a typical iPhone pre-order day happened on September 11, Apple pushed pre-orders back a day to Saturday, September 12.

It might be even more inclined than usual to do that again this year, as 2026 is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Macwelt, the German companion to Macworld, says they’ve received a tip from a reliable source that iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders will indeed start on Saturday, September 12. The report adds:

The time is also set to change, according to the source: While pre-orders usually begin at 5 am PT, Apple is reportedly opening up pre-sales at midnight PT on Saturday.

The publication did incorrectly report the iPhone 17e’s release date earlier this year. So while September 12 does seem likely, the specific details around start time could be off.

Regardless, we’re less than two weeks out from Apple’s official announcement and full unveiling of iPhone 18 Pro. For a rundown of rumored new features, see our coverage here.

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