iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Ultra launch date leaked: Here's everything we know

Apple's next iPhone event is still weeks away, but speculation surrounding the company's biggest hardware announcements of the year is already gathering pace. Fresh claims suggest Apple is narrowing in on a September launch for the iPhone 18 Pro series, while the company's long-awaited foldable iPhone could finally make its debut alongside the flagship smartphones.

From potential launch dates to expected hardware upgrades and possible price increases, here's everything that has surfaced so far.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra launch date leaked

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is likely to stick to its usual September launch window for its next-generation iPhones. Based on the company's launch history, Gurman said the event could take place on either September 9 or September 10.

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In a post on X, Gurman wrote: "Based on history, the most likely date for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra announcement is either Tuesday Sept 8 or Wednesday Sept 9. But Labor Day is on Sept 7, so Apple may prefer a travel gap day and prefer Sept 9 for that reason."

Soon after, an X user pointed out that Apple would probably avoid announcing a major product on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the United States. Gurman responded by suggesting another possibility, saying: "It could b September 10."

Apple has not officially announced an event or commented on the speculation.

iPhone 18 Pro models

Leaks indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could receive a substantial hardware refresh. The biggest upgrade is expected to be Apple's A20 Pro chipset, which is reportedly being manufactured using an advanced 2nm process. The shift is expected to deliver faster performance while improving power efficiency.

The Pro models are also tipped to feature Apple's in-house C2 modem, continuing the company's move towards designing more of its own components.

On the design front, reports suggest the Dynamic Island could become smaller, thanks to additional Face ID hardware moving underneath the display. Apple is also said to be testing a variable aperture camera system for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, allowing users to adjust how much light enters the lens for greater flexibility across different shooting conditions.

Another rumoured upgrade is enhanced satellite connectivity. Rather than being limited to emergency communication, future iPhones could support broader satellite-based internet services, making them more useful in remote locations without conventional mobile coverage.

iPhone Ultra, Apple's first foldable

The other headline announcement could be Apple's first foldable iPhone, which has frequently been referred to in leaks as the iPhone Ultra.

Recent renders and leaks suggest Apple is taking a different approach from existing foldable smartphones. According to Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser, the device is expected to feature a wider aspect ratio than many Android foldables and a redesigned hinge aimed at reducing the visibility of the display crease.

The handset is also rumoured to be exceptionally thin, measuring around 4.5mm when unfolded, making it slimmer than the iPhone Air introduced last year.

Under the hood, the foldable is expected to share several components with the Pro models, including the A20 Pro processor and Apple's C2 modem. Leaks also point to 12GB of RAM and a dedicated Camera Control button.

As with all pre-launch leaks, Apple has not confirmed any of these specifications.

Apple price hike

Beyond new hardware, pricing is expected to be one of the biggest talking points this year.

Apple has already raised prices for several products in India, including Mac desktops, MacBooks, Apple TV devices and HomePod speakers, as rising global memory and storage chip costs begin to affect retail pricing. The increase comes amid strong demand for DRAM and NAND flash memory from AI data centres and cloud infrastructure providers.

One of the biggest revisions has been for the Mac Mini M4 with 256GB storage, whose price has climbed from Rs 59,900 to Rs 82,900.

So far, iPhones have escaped similar increases. However, reports suggest the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup may not be immune. Industry rumours indicate Apple could increase prices by as much as $200 for the new Pro models, although the company has yet to announce official pricing.