Apple unveiled its latest iPhone range this week without one of its most familiar models – the standard iPhone 18.

The tech giant introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on Wednesday, 9 September, alongside its first foldable handset, the iPhone Duo.

But Apple left the regular iPhone 18 out of the launch.

The decision marks a shift from its usual September strategy, when the company typically introduces its standard and Pro models together.

When will Apple launch the iPhone 18?

Apple has not confirmed a release date for the standard model.

The Verge reports that Apple could launch it in the first quarter of 2027, possibly alongside the iPhone 18e and a new iPhone Air.

That would split Apple’s major iPhone releases across two launch periods instead of putting the full range on sale at the same time.

The company has not confirmed the reported 2027 launch window.

Apple puts focus on iPhone 18 Pro

Apple instead placed its premium models at the centre of this year’s launch.

The company equipped the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with its new A20 Pro chip and introduced a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture.

The camera allows users to choose how much light enters the lens, while Apple also added manual controls for shutter speed, focus and white balance.

Both models feature a smaller Dynamic Island and a next-generation vapour chamber aimed at improving sustained performance.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max also delivers Apple’s biggest battery-life improvement yet for an iPhone Pro Max.

How much will the iPhone 18 Pro cost?

Apple has increased prices for both Pro models.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1 199 in the United States, while the Pro Max starts at $1 299. Both devices start with 256GB of storage.

Customers can choose between black, silver, glacier and burgundy.

Pre-orders open on Saturday, 12 September, before sales begin in more than 65 countries and regions on Friday, 18 September.

Apple will expand availability to another 20 markets from Friday, 25 September.

What about South Africa?

iStore South Africa has confirmed that pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro range will open on Saturday, 12 September.

South African pricing had not yet been confirmed at the time of publication.

Stuff South Africa estimates that local buyers could pay around R1 600 more than last year for the new Pro range because of Apple’s international price increase.

For consumers who usually choose Apple’s less expensive standard model, the biggest question now is how long they will have to wait for the iPhone 18.