Nothing is certain until it’s confirmed, but this week saw a new clue as to when the iPhone 18 Pro will be released to the public. The release of the second developer beta of iOS 27 — the software that will power the new phones — was bang-on-time. This means the expected timetable is clearer than before. Here’s the refined schedule of how the software releases will define the hardware that goes with them.
By the way, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, I’m expecting the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first folding phone, possibly called the iPhone Ultra. Oh, and there’ll be two new Apple Watches, I predict, and perhaps more, all announced on the same day.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Release Schedule: iOS 27 Developer Betas
The second developer beta of iOS 27 landed on Monday, June 22, 2026. That’s important because it shows that things are going according to plan. Remember that this is a big year for Apple: the long-delayed new Siri is promised for the launch of iOS 27 and the new release means so far, so good.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Release Schedule: iOS 27 Public Betas
Next, expect the third developer beta on or around July 6. Then the first public beta. That was late last year, launching just after the fourth developer beta (they were on July 22 for the dev beta and July 24 for the public beta).
I believe this year there will be a return to the schedule of previous years, that is, the first public beta will come a few days after July 6 — though this could change.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Release Schedule: iOS 27 Release Candidate
It’s likely there will be eight or nine developer betas and six public betas, if previous years are mimicked.
Then, on or around Sept. 9, we should see the Release Candidate of both developer and public beta.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Release Schedule: September Keynote
I believe this will fall on the same calendar date as the last two years, that is, Sept. 9, the same date as the iOS 27 Release Candidate. This year, Sept. 9 is a Wednesday. Apple’s keynotes are almost always on a Monday or Tuesday but not routinely on the day of, or the day after, Labor Day, which falls on Monday, Sept. 7. Hence my conviction that the keynote will be Wednesday, Sept. 9.
It will be held in Apple Park and broadcast around the world from 10 a.m. Pacific, I believe.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Release Schedule: Onsale Date
Friday, Sept. 18: the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will go on sale on this date, though there’s still a question mark about the iPhone Ultra. It’s a whole new product category, a foldable phone, and there may be manufacturing issues which will hold it back for a week or two. That will become clearer in the coming weeks.
