What to expect from the iPhone 18: Price leaks and reservations on Rakuten

The technology market is already buzzing with speculation surrounding the future generation of Apple cell phones, especially with the likely arrival of a foldable device, provisionally called the iPhone Fold or Ultra. The race to secure a unit in the early hours should move global retail. Follow below a complete overview with calendar estimates, projected costs for the most expensive variants and step-by-step instructions to speed up advance purchasing through the Rakuten Mobile operator system.

Market estimates for the new generation of Apple cell phones

The most accepted schedule by experts indicates that the premium editions and the unprecedented folding format will make their global debut in September 2026. On the other hand, the entry options should undergo a split in the calendar, reaching the shelves only in the first half of the following year.

The opening of virtual shopping carts is expected to take place in the second week of September 2026, traditionally on a Friday, around 9pm. This time window reflects the strict behavior of the American manufacturer during the availability of the past four generations.

Consumers will need to prepare their pockets, as the more advanced configurations tend to undergo a considerable adjustment in relation to the current table. The device with a flexible screen, which represents the brand’s biggest design leap in years, has the potential to break the US$2,000 barrier on the international market.

Those who choose to purchase the equipment using the Rakuten Mobile infrastructure will find a familiar interface, based on the same mechanics used during the sales of the previous line, which reduces friction when placing the order.

A key tactic to avoid delivery delays is to access your user dashboard days before the official release. Leaving your credit card details or other form of payment already validated in the system saves precious minutes against the competition.

Recent leaks about premium versions on the Japanese operator

No corporate confirmation was issued by the headquarters in Cupertino until the end of July 2026. Despite the silence, influential figures in technology coverage, including journalist Mark Gurman, brought to light confidential reports that outline the distribution map of the devices. The big difference in this production cycle is the break with tradition, with a strong probability that arrival dates will vary drastically depending on the model chosen by the customer.

Split distribution strategy for high-end devices

Through his social networks, Gurman said that the presentation event for the company’s most robust variants and the company’s pioneering flexible smartphone will take place between the 8th and 9th of September 2026. The market’s reading is that the foldable novelty will share the spotlight with the Pro line. Meanwhile, the basic editions and the supposed iPhone 18e — which appears as a natural evolution to replace the old SE family — should remain in the first quarter of 2027. This fragmentation follows known bottlenecks in the manufacturing of new components, a logistical maneuver that the technology giant has used in the past to avoid empty shelves.

Hardware advancements designed for the most expensive devices

The consumer electronics press has already compiled a robust list of technical improvements that should equip the high-cost versions:

• A20 Pro processor, built under the 2 nanometer architecture by supplier TSMC.
• Implementation of the C2 modem, developed internally by the brand itself.
• Main rear lens equipped with mechanical variable aperture system.
• Drastic reduction of the Dynamic Island notch, with Face ID sensors embedded under the display.
• Introduction of a new finish in the catalogue, dubbed “Dark Cherry”.

The transition to 2 nanometer lithography in the processor is a milestone, as it guarantees a significant leap in energy efficiency and processing speed compared to current 3nm chips, while the new modem promises to revolutionize signal stability and satellite connection. Evidently, this entire technological package is based on leaked industrial plans, and may undergo changes until the moment the company’s CEO takes the stage.

Projection of dates for opening advance orders

The start of advance purchases is scheduled to take place at 9pm on a Friday, in mid-September 2026. Looking in the rearview mirror, the previous generation had its reservations released at exactly 9pm on September 12, 2025, with the boxes reaching customers seven days later. Crossing this mathematics with the event dates suggested by analysts, September 11, 2026 emerges as the exact moment when virtual stores will start accepting payments.

The manufacturer’s corporate script was consolidated in holding its press conferences on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, creating a breathing space until Friday night, when the sales system is activated. Consumers eager to change devices should mark this period on their calendar so as not to miss out on the initial batch.

Commercial retrospective of the latest generations of smartphones

A safe way to validate these calendar estimates is to observe the company’s behavior since the arrival of the fourteenth family of cell phones.

Commercial records show unwavering discipline: reservations are always released at 9pm on a Friday, respecting a window of 48 to 72 hours after the official event, culminating in physical deliveries on the following Friday. Transporting this formula to the 2026 scenario, the reveal in early September ensures that orders will begin on the 11th, with the first activated devices in users’ hands on September 18th.