Apple has opened preorders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with major US carriers offering up to $1,200 in trade in credits for eligible customers.
The new iPhones are part of a wider September hardware rollout that also includes the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, AirPods 5, a refreshed Mac mini and a new Mac Studio.
The iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods models are scheduled to launch on September 18. The updated Macs will follow on September 22.
| Product | Key detail |
|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | A20 Pro chip, vapor chamber, 48MP main camera |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | Up to $1,200 carrier trade in credit |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | S11 chip, 24 hour battery life |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | Up to 50 hours of battery life |
| AirPods 5 | Improved open ear ANC |
| Mac mini | M6 and M5 Pro options |
| Mac Studio | Up to M5 Ultra and 512GB unified memory |
| iPhone and wearables launch | September 18 |
| Mac launch | September 22 |
Carrier deals can reach $1,200
Apple is offering its own trade in program, with credits ranging from $175 to $885 depending on the device.
The larger discount comes through participating US carriers.
AT&T, T Mobile and Verizon are offering up to $1,200 in credits when you trade in an iPhone 14 or newer toward an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The offer applies even when the eligible trade in device is not in perfect condition, although exact carrier terms and plan requirements can vary.
That means the final price can differ significantly depending on the carrier, trade in device and service plan.
iPhone 18 Pro focuses on internal upgrades
The external design of the iPhone 18 Pro series does not change dramatically, but Apple has made several hardware upgrades inside.
The phones use the new A20 Pro chip and include a vapor chamber designed to improve sustained performance.
The main camera is a 48MP Fusion sensor with variable aperture, giving the camera system more flexibility across different lighting conditions.
The phones will ship with iOS 27, which includes Apple's latest Siri AI features.
These changes suggest that Apple is focusing more heavily on performance, camera flexibility and AI features rather than a major redesign.
Apple Watch models bring longer battery life
Apple Watch Series 12 uses the new S11 chip and introduces an updated Health Sensing System.
Battery life is rated at 24 hours under normal use. Apple also says a 15 minute charge can provide another 12 hours of use.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 goes further, with up to 50 hours of everyday battery life.
The longer runtime should be particularly useful for people who use the watch for sleep tracking, exercise and extended outdoor activities.
AirPods 5 improve noise cancellation
AirPods 5 also join the September launch.
The new model keeps an open ear design while adding improved Active Noise Cancellation. Apple says it can remove up to 50 percent more outside noise than AirPods 4.
The earbuds also gain a new volume control gesture that lets you swipe on the stem.
That gives AirPods 5 another direct control option without requiring you to use an iPhone or Siri.
New Macs arrive a few days later
Apple's desktop lineup is also being refreshed.
The new Mac mini will be available with M6 and M5 Pro chips, with Apple claiming up to four times faster AI performance in some workloads.
Mac Studio moves up to the M5 Ultra and can be configured with as much as 512GB of unified memory.
Those systems will arrive on September 22, four days after the new iPhones and wearables.
Apple is also expanding its service offerings with AppleCare One Family, scheduled to launch on September 14. The plan is designed to cover devices across a Family Sharing group.
For buyers mainly interested in the iPhone 18 Pro, the most important detail is the carrier credit. A qualifying trade in can reduce the effective cost by as much as $1,200, though the exact savings will depend on the carrier terms and plan you choose.
Discussion (0)
Be the first to comment.