Apple prepares the arrival of the iPhone 18 with a foldable version and new prices
The technology market is already buzzing with unprecedented speculation about the next generation of cell phones from the Cupertino giant, highlighting the likely introduction of the brand’s first flexible smartphone, temporarily called “iPhone Fold” or “Ultra”. Experts project a fierce race for initial reservations long before the manufacturer’s public revelation. This text explores the hottest estimates regarding the arrival schedule in stores, the projected costs for the Pro, Pro Max variants and the foldable device, as well as providing step-by-step guidance to guarantee advance purchase through the Rakuten Mobile operator.
What to expect from the new generation of Apple cell phones
Everything indicates that the premium editions, including the Pro, the Pro Max and the long-awaited version with a flexible screen, will make their global debut in September 2026. On the other hand, the entry-level model should suffer a strategic delay, with its arrival on shelves pushed to the first half of 2027.
The kickoff to secure the devices must take place on a Friday night, in mid-September 2026, at 9 pm promptly. This estimate gains strength when we analyze the company’s behavior in the last four major portfolio renewal events.
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Consumers will need to prepare their pockets, as the most advanced configurations tend to undergo a significant readjustment in relation to the previous generation. The unprecedented foldable device, which marks the company’s entry into a segment currently dominated by Samsung, has the potential to break the US$2,000 barrier on the international market.
| Model | Announcement date | Reservation start date (pre-sale) | Release date | Days between listing and booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 | Wednesday, September 7, 2022 | Friday, September 9, 2022, at 9 pm | Friday, September 16, 2022 | 2 days |
| iPhone 15 | Tuesday, September 12, 2023 | Friday, September 15, 2023, at 9 pm | Friday, September 22, 2023 | 3 days |
| iPhone 16 | Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | Friday, September 13, 2024, at 9 pm | Friday, September 20, 2024 | 3 days |
| iPhone 17 | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 | Friday, September 12, 2025, at 9 pm | Friday, September 19, 2025 | 3 days |
| iPhone 18 (expected) | September 8 or 9, 2026 | Friday, September 11, 2026, at 9 pm | Friday, September 18, 2026 | 2 to 3 days |
For customers using the Rakuten Mobile system, the reservation mechanic should not present any surprises, maintaining the same user-friendly interface and click flow already tested during the iPhone 17 campaign.
Anyone who wants to receive the equipment on the first day of delivery needs to adopt a simple tactic: access their profile on the platform well in advance and leave their credit card or other payment method duly validated in the system.
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Rumors point to changes in the Japanese operator’s sales schedule
Until the end of July 2026, the North American manufacturer remained completely silent about the new family of smartphones. Despite this, renowned journalists and market analysts, such as Mark Gurman, released confidential reports that outline a clear map of the company’s next steps. A detail that draws attention in this cycle is the strong probability of a breakdown in availability dates, separating devices by price category.
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Slicing strategy separates premium editions from base model
Using his account on the social network This event setup indicates that the flexible variant will share the spotlight with the high-performance lineup. Meanwhile, the cheaper editions, possibly called the iPhone 18e, would remain in the drawer until the beginning of 2027. This fractionation reflects the brand’s well-known maneuvers to overcome bottlenecks in the production of complex parts and guarantee sufficient volume in Asian factories.
Hardware advances promise to transform the photography and processing experience
Portals dedicated to covering silicon and consumer electronics already list the main tricks up its sleeve that the company is preparing for its elite line:
- A20 Pro processor, carved from TSMC’s revolutionary 2-nanometer lithography, ensuring an unprecedented leap in energy efficiency.
- Implementation of the C2 modem, developed internally to reduce dependence on external suppliers.
- Camera system with variable aperture, allowing professional control of light and depth of field.
- Drastic reduction of the Dynamic Island, pushing the Face ID sensors below the light panel.
- Introduction of an unprecedented visual palette, led by the “Dark Cherry” tone.
The transition to an in-house communication and processing suite meets the desires of those looking for unwavering connections and native support for 5G satellite networks in remote areas. Even with the high degree of detail in these leaks, consumers should treat the technical data with caution until the company’s executives take the stage to hammer out the final specifications.
Learn more: Apple launches 5.5mm iPhone 17 Air with full locking of parts and fluid interface
Order window should follow September tradition
The commercial launch for the new generation is expected to take place around 9pm on a Friday, in the second week of September 2026. Looking in the rear view mirror, the iPhone 17 family had their shopping carts released at exactly 9pm on September 12, 2025, with the boxes arriving at the carriers a few days later. Crossing this mathematics with the dates of September 8 or 9 set by analysts for the reveal event, September 11, 2026 emerges as the exact moment for the opening of the purchasing system.
The technology giant’s corporate roadmap has become predictable: global presentations occupy Tuesdays or Wednesdays at the beginning of the month, while virtual stores open their doors on Friday night of the same week. Fans of the brand and technology enthusiasts can now mark an alert on the calendar so as not to miss the first batches.
Retrospect of past generations confirms the manufacturer’s sales pattern
A careful analysis of the schedule adopted since the arrival of the iPhone 14 helps dispel any doubts about the Californian company’s modus operandi.
Market behavior shows an immutable rule: the order phase always comes to life at 9pm on a Friday, with an interval of 48 to 72 hours after the official broadcast. Physical delivery to stores and buyers’ homes takes place on the following Friday. Transporting this established formula to the 2026 scenario, an announcement between September 8th and 9th pushes reservations to the 11th, culminating in the global launch on shelves on September 18th.
