iPhone 18 series: New and upcoming models You Should Know

2026’s big iPhone launch – “Surprise and Shine” – took place on Wednesday, 9 September. Apple announced three new models then: the iPhone 18 Pro, the Pro Max and the foldable iPhone Duo.

However, we’re expecting three more models to launch in spring 2027: the base iPhone 18, the budget-friendly 18e and the Air 2.

Our sibling publication Macworld discovered code in the iOS 27 beta 5 that references six models, using Apple’s internal codenames:

• V62: iPhone Air 2
• V63: iPhone 18 Pro
• V64: iPhone 18 Pro Max
• V67: iPhone 18
• V68: iPhone Duo
• V69: iPhone 18e

Here’s everything we know so far about the iPhone 18 series, including when and where you’ll be able to buy the already-announced models.

When will the iPhone 18 line be released?

Apple announced the high-end models in its iPhone 18 line-up at its “Surprise and Shine” event on Wednesday, 9 September.

iPhone Pro and Pro Max:

• Available for pre-order: Saturday 12 September
• Release date: Friday 18 September

iPhone Duo:

• Available for pre-order on Friday 16 October
• Released on Friday 23 October

But if you were expecting to upgrade your iPhone base model this September, you’ll have to hold off for now. It’s thought that Apple will announce the rest of the line in spring 2027.

Source: MacRumors | 9to5Mac | Mark Gurman for Bloomberg (1) | (2) | (3) | Tim Culpan Substack

How much will the iPhone 18 cost?

The prices for the high-end models have been announced and they represent a jump in price of £100/$100 from the equivalent models last year. For the first time, there’s also a 2TB storage option. Here’s what you’ll pay:

iPhone Pro:

• £1,199/$1,199 (256GB)
• £1,399/$1,399 (512GB)
• £1,799/$1,799 (1TB)
• £2,399/$2,399 (2TB)

iPhone Pro Max:

• £1,299/$1,299 (256GB)
• £1,499/$1,499 (512GB)
• £1,899/$1,899 (1TB)
• £2,499/$2,499 (2TB)

For reference, here are the starting prices of last year’s models, when they were released:

• 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

Since then, however, Apple increased the prices of phones in the iPhone 17 lineup by £100/$100.

We’re therefore expecting a similar price rise for the iPhone 18, 18e and Air 2 when they’re announced next year.

What specs and features will the iPhone 18 have?

iPhone Duo

The iPhone Duo comes in two colour options: Star White (white with silver trim) and Night Sky (dark blue with matching trim). Here are its key specs and features:

• 5.4-inch outer panel, 7.6-inch inner display. Both Super Retina XDR
• A20 Pro chipset and upgraded C2 modem
• Revamped iOS to make the most of the screen potential
• Up to 31 hours of video playback when using the inner display, 44 hours using the outer display
• 48Mp fusion camera, 12Mp Center Stage selfie camera
• IP68 rating for dust and water
• Apple Intelligence
• MagSafe charging
• Weight: 254g
• Four storage options from 256GB to 2TB

What key high-end iPhone features are missing?

• No Face ID. Instead, there’s a Touch ID button on the right-hand side
• No telephoto lens
• No Action button

iPhone Pro and Pro Max

The Pro and Pro Max are available in four colour options: Burgundy, Glacier (icy blue), Silver and Black. Outwardly, their design is very similar to last year’s redesigned models, except that the back panels are now colour-matched to the rest of the phone, instead of being tonal. We think it’s a big improvement.

What’s new this year:

• A20 Pro chipset and upgraded C2 modem
• Smaller Dynamic Island with improved functionality
• Enhanced vapour chamber
• Improved battery life with up to 43 hours of video playback
• Improved Apple Intelligence

iPhone 18 base model (expected in spring 2027)

Recent rumours have suggested that the iPhone 18 will actually be downgraded, in one respect, from the iPhone 17. Apple is expected to revert to using Samsung’s M12+ material for the regular iPhone 18’s display, as well as that of the iPhone 18e.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro is projected to use Samsung’s latest M16 material in its display. The key difference between M12+ and M16 screen technology is its luminous efficiency. That relates to how much energy a screen needs to emit a certain amount of light. The iPhone 18, then, would be less energy-efficient than its predecessor, although this will be offset to some degree by Apple’s new 2nm A20 chip. But that, in turn, means the A20 chip will need to work harder in this model.

However, an earlier rumour that Apple is expected to boost the RAM of the iPhone 18 base model to 12GB – 4GB up from the iPhone 17 seems to have been confirmed. This will bring it in line with the high-end models and, crucially, allow it to run AI models on the phone itself, without resorting to the cloud.

The iPhone 18’s screen brightness is expected to increase from the iPhone 17’s 1000 nits of typical maximum brightness up to 1600 nits in HDR, with a peak brightness of 3000 nits.

iPhone Air 2 (expected in Spring 2027)

The iPhone Air 2 is expected to retain its titanium build but resolve some key complaints against its predecessor with an upgraded battery. It’s also thought to add a second, ultrawide lens to the 48Mp Fusion main sensor of its predecessor. These upgrades will be achieved while retaining the ultra-slim design.

In terms of colour options, Space Black, Cloud White, and Light Gold are projected to return but the Sky Blue colourway will be replaced by an option that’s closer to lavender.

It’s expected to get the standard A20 chip.

Perhaps most surprisingly, according to leaker Jon Prosser, the Air is set to become the new standard iPhone, eventually replacing the iPhone base model. This rumour hasn’t yet received much confirmed but it does make sense, in that it explains why the Air wasn’t retired when it failed to take off in a big way.

Regular tipster Digital Chat Station has allegedly leaked the display specifics of the Air 2. It’s expected to have a 6.55-inch LTPO 120Hz display, but with a standard Dynamic Island

Software

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

Apple and Google previously issued a joint statement confirming a rumour that’s been swirling for some time. The expected Siri overhaul will be powered by Gemini, but it’ll be a bespoke version running on Apple’s own servers to ensure it can retain its high standards regarding users’ data privacy.

Sources: Mark Gurman for Bloomberg (1) | (2) | DigiTimes | Ming-Chi Kuo | 9to5Mac (1) | (2) | (3) | Apple Magazine | Vietnam Net | GSMArena (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) | MacRumors | Google | Sonny Dickson on X | Digital Chat Station on Weibo

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