iPhone 18: Everything we know so far

Although the iPhone 17 models have just been launched, interest in Apple’s next big iPhone release is already building.

The iPhone 18 series is still far away, but rumours and early insights from reliable industry analysts such as Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have given us a glimpse of what to expect – plus an announcement from a rival company has all but confirmed a foldable iPhone.

Here’s everything we know so far about the iPhone 18 series, including its release date, pricing, and specifications.

When will the iPhone 18 be released?

Based on Apple’s well-established release schedule, the iPhone 18 series is expected to debut in September 2026.

Here’s a look at the announcement dates of recent iPhones: 

• iPhone 17: 9 September 2025
• iPhone 16: 9 September 2024
• iPhone 15: 12 September 2023
• iPhone 14: 7 September 2022
• iPhone 13: 14 September 2021
• iPhone 12: 13 October 2020 (delayed due to Covid)

Pre-orders for the devices typically open on the Friday following the announcement, with phones shipped a week later.

However, it’s possible that there may be a change in 2026. Rumours suggest that Apple could split the announcements and launch dates of its iPhone 18 models.

In this scenario, the high-end models – the expected foldable iPhone and the iPhone Pro and Pro Max – would launch as usual in September. But the iPhone 18 and 18e would launch at a spring 2027 event.

Source: MacRumors

How much will the iPhone 18 cost?

Apple kept the starting prices of the 17 lineup very close to last year’s figures. Only the Pro model is more expensive:

• iPhone 17 (256GB) – £799/$799
• iPhone Air (256GB) – £999/$999
• iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) – £1,099/$1,099
• iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB) £1,199/$1,199

Here are the iPhone 16 prices:

• Phone 16 (128GB) – £799/$799
• iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) – £899/$899
• iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) – £999/$999
• iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) – £1,199/$1,199

2026 pricing could be complicated by the effects of tariffs. Otherwise, we would expect the prices of the iPhone 17, Pro and Pro Max models to remain the same, or similar.

As for the rumoured foldable iPhone, a starting price between $1,999 and $2,299 has been suggested, which would make it around the same price or more expensive than the Samsung Z Fold 7. The Z Fold 7 starts at $1,999 in the US, although it’s available from £1,799 in the UK.

No international pricing has yet been mooted.

Source: MacRumors

Which models will Apple launch?

In terms of which models will launch, the base iPhone 18, the iPhone 18 Pro and the Pro Max seem assured. However, what we don’t know is whether all these models will be available from September 2026. It’s possible that only the Pro and Pro Max will arrive then, with the iPhone 18 base model instead arriving with the 18e in the spring.

Then there’s the question of an Air model. After all, it was noted that, when the Air launched in September 2025, it was not named the iPhone 17 Air – merely the Air. That suggests the model may be a one-off, or at least not updated every year.

It’s thought that the Air is a stepping-stone product that allowed Apple to build the technology that will be the basis for its foldable device. As such, how often it’s updated – and whether it’s updated at all – will likely depend on how well the first model sells.

However, the arrival of a foldable iPhone seems more likely by the day. Recent comments to reporters by President of Samsung Display Lee Cheon revealed that the company was gearing up to produce 8.6th-generation OLED panels for a foldable phone to a client in North America. Mass production of the panels is slated for the third quarter next year.

As Samsung Display is the sole supplier of OLED panels to Apple, this seemingly confirms that the foldable will arrive next fall.

Sources: ChosunBiz

What specs and features will the iPhone 18 have?

Although the iPhone 18 series is still in development, several rumours and leaks provide insight into its expected features.

Design

There were surprises in store where the iPhone 18 models’ design was concerned – especially where the Pro and Pro Max models were concerned. It appears that the fresh looks of the phones has contributed to an uptick in sales, but we don’t expect Apple to redesign the Pro and Pro Max models again only a year later. Instead, incremental changes are likely, and new colourways all but assured.

The focus will be on the design of the foldable model. And we already have some idea of how it may look, thanks to the existence of the iPhone Air.

Industry insiders have claimed that the iPhone Air is a problem-solving stop on the way to Apple’s production of its first foldable. The foldable iPhone will resemble two Air models hinged together – except, of course, with one large screen.

Materials and build quality are expected to once again feature durable ceramic and titanium elements – but Apple may consider replacing the anodised coating that’s currently used on the aluminium iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models in favour of something more scratch-resistant.

Display

Apple has continually enhanced its display technology, and the iPhone 18 series will likely follow suit.

Reports don’t detail specific display sizes or resolutions, but advancements in ProMotion technology and higher peak brightness are anticipated.

The Pro models could feature an even smoother 120Hz refresh rate and more energy-efficient OLED panels.

Performance

More models in the iPhone 18 could get the benefit of Apple’s second-generation 5G modem.

Apple’s first 5G modem, the C1, launched in the iPhone 16e after years of development. Its successor, the C1X, can only be found in the iPhone Air – not in any of the other iPhone 17 models. That means we can certainly expect to see it in Apple’s foldable, and perhaps its Pro and Pro Max models as well.

Meanwhile, at this stage at least, it’s speculated that all iPhone 18 models will run on Apple’s upcoming A20 chip. Pro models may run on an A20 Pro variant. This will be the brand’s first use of TSMC’s 2nm process, known as N2. More transistors in a smaller space means up to 15% faster performance and 30% better power efficiency from the A19 chip found in the iPhone 18, and a performance bump on the A19 Pro found in the Pro models.

Cameras

Apple’s cameras are a standout feature, and the iPhone 18 Pro models are rumoured to introduce variable aperture technology to the main camera.

This feature will allow users to control how much light enters the lens, enabling superior control over depth of field and enhancing low-light photography.

Samsung is reportedly working on a new three-layer stacked camera sensor called ‘PD-TR-Logic,’ designed for the iPhone 18 series.

This image sensor is expected to enhance the camera’s responsiveness, while also offering advantages such as reduced photo noise, improved dynamic range, and more.

While the Pro models are likely to receive the most significant upgrades, the standard iPhone 18 may also benefit from some of this new technology.

Battery & Charging

Details about battery capacity and charging speeds for the iPhone 18 series remain sparse.

However, Apple’s commitment to improving battery life and charging efficiency suggests incremental enhancements.

With growing competition in the fast-charging space, the iPhone 18 series could support faster wired and MagSafe charging capabilities.

Software

The iPhone 18 series is expected to run on iOS 27, offering new features and capabilities tailored to the hardware.

Apple typically introduces innovations in usability, security and AI with every new iOS version, and we can expect the iPhone 18 series to showcase these improvements.

Sources: Mark Gurman | DigiTimes | Ming-Chi Kuo | 9to5Mac | Apple Magazine

That’s all we currently know about the iPhone 18 series. You can find out more detail on the expected iPhone foldable and get our top buying recommendations in our round-up of the best phones we’ve tested.