iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max Coming Sept 9: India Prices Leaked, Foldable iPhone Ultra Also Tipped

Apple is geared up to host its marquee annual event, titled “Surprise and shine,” on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time from the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. This year's keynote is particularly significant as it marks the first major product launch under the company's new CEO, John Ternus, who assumes the role on September 1.

Industry insiders and numerous leaks point towards the grand unveiling of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, alongside a long-rumoured foldable device, potentially named the 'iPhone Ultra'. Unlike previous years, Apple is expected to adopt a staggered launch strategy, with the standard iPhone 18 models likely to follow in spring 2027.

Expected India Pricing and Availability

Indian consumers can anticipate a price hike for the new Pro series. Leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could start at an estimated ₹139,900, reflecting an increase of approximately ₹5,000 over its predecessor, the iPhone 17 Pro. The 256GB variant is tipped to be priced around ₹144,900. Apple's Foldable IPhone Could Challenge Samsung's Seven-year Lead, with Pricing Emerging as Key Battleground.

For the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max, prices are rumoured to range between ₹154,900 and ₹159,900, with some reports indicating the 256GB model could be priced from ₹159,900 to ₹169,900. These increases are attributed to rising memory chip costs and growing demand from AI infrastructure globally.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are predicted to commence on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 12 midnight PT, a slight deviation from Apple's usual Friday schedule, reportedly out of respect for the September 11 anniversary. Devices are then expected to hit shelves and begin shipping on Friday, September 18, 2026. iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max Get Price Cuts Ahead of iPhone 18 Pro Series Launch at Apple Event 2026.

Rumoured Key Specifications

The iPhone 18 Pro series is poised to introduce significant upgrades under the hood:

• Chipset: Both Pro models are expected to feature the cutting-edge Apple A20 Pro chip, manufactured on TSMC's advanced 2nm process. This is rumoured to deliver a substantial 15% boost in speed and approximately 30% greater power efficiency compared to the A19 series.
• Display: The iPhone 18 Pro is anticipated to retain a 6.3-inch OLED display, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a 6.9-inch OLED panel, both supporting a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. A notable rumour suggests the adoption of LTPO+ display technology for enhanced power efficiency. The controversial Dynamic Island is also rumoured to shrink by about 35%.
• Battery: Expect longer battery life, particularly on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which could see a capacity of around 5,391mAh (China) or 5,567mAh (U.S.). The iPhone 18 Pro is tipped for approximately 4,056mAh (China) or 4,288mAh (U.S.).
• Cameras: A major focus remains on camera advancements. Both Pro models are tipped to sport a triple 48-megapixel rear camera setup, comprising a main, ultrawide, and telephoto lens. The main camera is widely rumoured to introduce a variable aperture lens, a first for the iPhone, offering photographers more control over exposure and depth of field. The iPhone 18 Pro Max may exclusively feature an upgraded telephoto lens with 6x optical zoom capabilities. An 18-megapixel front camera is also tipped.
• RAM & Storage: The Pro models are expected to pack 12GB of RAM, with storage options potentially extending up to 2TB for both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
• Design & Colours: While the overall design is expected to be largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, retaining a titanium frame, rumours suggest a more seamless aesthetic by dropping the two-tone look. Leaked colour options include Dark Cherry (expected to be the headline colour), Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver.

Disclaimer: AI tools assisted in compiling the foundational data and research for this report. The final content was reviewed, edited and verified by human editors at LatestLY.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2026 03:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).