iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders could break Apple tradition — Here’s the rumored date and time

Apple may be shaking up its standard iPhone launch timetable this year since the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are apparently available for pre-order on a Saturday, rather than the company’s standard Friday launch date.

Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Ultra at a special event on September 9. Apple typically begins taking pre-orders for its newest iPhones on the Friday immediately after the launch.

But this year, the regular schedule might not be kept.

The Friday after the rumoured September 9 occurrence would be September 11, a date of historical significance in the United States. According to the sources, Apple may then move up the start of iPhone pre-orders to Saturday, September 12.

Timing also may not line up with Apple’s normal schedule. Rather than launching pre-sales at roughly 5 a.m. Pacific time, the rumour is that the business will begin taking orders at midnight Pacific time.

So if the reported schedule holds, customers might be able to have their orders in earlier than usual on September 12.

The same launch timeline is said to apply to the Apple Watch Series 12 and other items that Apple might introduce during its September 9 event.

There may be one big exception though .

Earlier rumours have said the rumoured iPhone Ultra could be released later than the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, despite being announced alongside them. If that’s correct, Apple may announce the Ultra on September 9, but hold up pre-order and retail availability.

Apple has not confirmed the rumoured date for the event, the pre-order schedule or the launch timetable of the next products. So, the dates and times should be seen as rumour until Apple makes an official announcement.

For Apple aficionados looking to upgrade, the major question may not be what Apple will announce on Sept. 9, but when shoppers can actually get their hands on one.