iPhone 18 Pro preorders surge in US and Europe ahead September 22 deliveries, starting from $1,199
Apple Inc. saw a surge in iPhone 18 Pro preorders in the U.S. and Europe starting Saturday, September 12, ahead of deliveries beginning September 18, with prices starting at $1,199. According to Apple’s official announcements, strong demand has pushed initial delivery estimates to match the launch date across multiple configurations and colors.
Preorders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max began at 5 a.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, September 12, in the United States, the United Kingdom, major European markets, and more than 65 countries and regions worldwide, according to Apple’s official announcements. The company confirmed that first deliveries and in-store availability will commence on Friday, September 18, matching the initial shipping estimates for customers who placed orders immediately after preorders opened.
Apple set the starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro at $1,199 in the U.S. for the base 256 GB model, a $100 increase from the previous generation, according to Apple’s product page and multiple reports.
Higher storage tiers are priced at approximately $1,399 for 512 GB, $1,799 for 1 TB, and $2,399 for 2 TB configurations. Pricing data compiled from official Apple Store listings shows the United States as the cheapest market for the iPhone 18 Pro, with Turkey among the most expensive, where prices reach nearly $2,837, reflecting a 137% difference. State sales tax in the U.S. adds between 4% and 10% to the effective price, depending on the location.
Initial preorder activity on launch day showed all iPhone 18 Pro colors and configurations available for delivery on September 18 in the U.S., according to Apple Store records and coverage from Apple-focused outlets. However, as demand increased over the following days, shipping estimates for new orders shifted to later dates, ranging from September 29 to early October, with some models extending delivery windows through October 13. This pattern was consistent across all colors and storage capacities, indicating broad demand rather than shortages limited to specific configurations. Customers who did not preorder immediately could still occasionally secure September 18 pickups at Apple retail stores or through carriers such as Best Buy, depending on local inventory, sources confirmed.
In Europe, key markets including France, Germany, and the UK were part of the initial wave of over 65 countries where preorders opened simultaneously on September 12. European Apple online stores mirrored the U.S. pattern, initially offering launch-day deliveries on September 18 before expanding shipping estimates into late September and early October for some models, according to regional Apple Store data and industry reports. In-store stock in major European Apple Stores is expected to be available on September 18, providing an alternative for customers facing delayed online shipping estimates.
Carrier promotions have also played a role in preorder activity. For example, T-Mobile offers the 256 GB iPhone 18 Pro at the official price of $1,199.99, with up to $1,200 in credits spread over 36 months, effectively reducing the cost to zero for qualifying installment plans, according to the carrier’s official offers. Such promotions aim to encourage early orders ahead of the extended delivery windows that have emerged as preorder volumes increased.
Apple’s launch communications and official newsroom posts consistently identify September 18 as the date for the first deliveries and in-store availability, with no reference to September 22 as a start date for shipments. The initial half-hour of preorder activity was described by some Apple-watchers as “surprisingly slow,” as no immediate shipping delays appeared for any iPhone 18 Pro configurations, according to early analysis. However, sustained demand in the days following led to the extension of estimated delivery dates into late September and October across both U.S. and European markets.
The rollout includes a second wave of availability in 20 additional countries and regions starting Friday, September 25, which affects preorder timing and delivery estimates outside the initial group of 65-plus countries. This staggered approach aligns with Apple’s global launch strategy and has been detailed in official announcements.
Apple’s latest flagship smartphone launch continues the company’s pattern of simultaneous multi-country preorder openings followed by staggered delivery schedules, reflecting complex supply and demand dynamics. The iPhone 18 Pro’s pricing, availability, and preorder trends underscore the company’s positioning in the premium smartphone market as customers in the U.S. and Europe prepare for the official launch on September 18.
