Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 12, 2026, 10:18 PM ET

iPhone 18 Pro Launch

Apple's online store went dark in the hours before the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max became available for pre-order, with the storefront reopening at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, September 12. Pre-orders for both models are now officially live through Apple's online storefront and the Apple Store app, and buyers who placed orders early encountered the company's familiar virtual queue system as launch-day delivery windows began slipping. Shoppers who have not yet ordered may face extended wait times stretching into October, depending on the configuration they select. Those still deciding can follow a step-by-step guide to secure the specific model and storage tier they want on launch day, and carriers are competing aggressively with incentives that save up to $1,200 in bill credits. A separate roundup of the best carrier deals compares trade-in values and promotional credits across the major U.S. networks.

Hardware and Design

One notable difference between regions: the U.S. model of the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses a Qualcomm modem, a detail spotted by French journalist Nicolas Lellouche of Numerama after Apple updated its tech specs pages. For owners of older hardware, a three-year comparison shows how far the iPhone 18 Pro has moved from the iPhone 15 Pro in cameras, silicon, and connectivity. Apple's most advanced traditional handset now sits alongside its first foldable, and a head-to-head breakdown compares the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max against the iPhone Duo on specs, price, and form factor.

Foldable Era

The iPhone Duo's software has drawn praise for its approach to multitasking, with Apple's split-screen implementation on the foldable landing more cleanly than the more convoluted multitasking experience on iPad OS. A hidden setting lets the device add a fake bezel to the outer screen to improve case compatibility, an option Lellouche discovered while digging through settings during his hands-on time. Accessory makers are already responding: ESR has rolled out an iPhone accessory lineup built for the foldable era, and a curated guide rounds up the best iPhone 18 Pro cases now available for purchase, including Apple's new Silicone and other first-party options.

Event Recap and Software

Apple's fall event delivered more than the foldable, with the company also unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra, and new Air Pods, all covered in a full event recap. For enterprise users, the shift toward AI features is reshaping how Apple approaches software maintenance, and an analysis outlines the three prongs of software updates that IT teams should expect in the AI era. On the indie side, this week's spotlight highlights Farwave, an app that lets listeners tune into radio stations from around the world alongside podcasts.

Deals and Accessories

Weekend shoppers can browse discounts on the new Air Pods 5 and Air Pods Pro, the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra, Air Tag, the Studio Display, and MacBook Pro models in a roundup of the week's best deals, with pre-orders for several new devices now live.