Daijiworld Media Network - Cupertino
Cupertino, Sep 5: Apple’s much-awaited 2026 iPhone event is just four days away, with the company set to host its “Surprise and shine” Apple Event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on September 9. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are widely expected to be unveiled at the event.
Apple has officially confirmed the September 9 event but has not disclosed the names, specifications or prices of the upcoming iPhones. According to Apple’s India website, the event will begin at 10.30 pm IST.
With the launch approaching, Indian buyers are weighing whether to wait for the new iPhone 18 Pro Max or purchase the existing iPhone 17 Pro Max, particularly amid reports that Apple could increase prices this year.
As of September 5, the iPhone 18 Pro Max launch countdown stands at four days. The iPhone is expected to be announced during the September 9 event, while pre-orders are reportedly likely to begin on September 12 and retail sales could start on September 18. Apple has not officially confirmed the pre-order and retail dates.
Reports suggest Apple could break from its traditional Friday pre-order schedule and begin accepting orders on Saturday, September 12. If pre-orders open at midnight Pacific Time as reported, this would translate to around 12.30 pm IST. Indian customers are expected to be able to place orders through Apple’s online store, while the exact launch-day stock and delivery timelines will become clearer after the official announcement.
Price could be among the biggest talking points surrounding the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple has not announced the Indian price, while current estimates vary significantly. Some reports suggest a starting price of around Rs 1.55 lakh to Rs 1.60 lakh, while others estimate that the 256GB model could cost approximately Rs 1.70 lakh. Some estimates have even suggested prices as high as Rs 1.80 lakh.
Based on current reports, the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max could be priced between Rs 1.55 lakh and Rs 1.70 lakh in India. The 512GB model could cost around Rs 1.80 lakh or more, while 1TB and 2TB variants, if introduced, could cross Rs 2 lakh. Apple has not confirmed the storage options or pricing.
The possible price increase has been linked in reports to higher component costs and more expensive next-generation hardware.
Despite being a new-generation model, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is not expected to receive a radical redesign. Leaks suggest Apple could retain the overall design language of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, including its flat-sided body and large triple-camera module.
One of the more noticeable changes could be a smaller Dynamic Island. Reports suggest Apple may move some Face ID components underneath the display, potentially reducing the size of the cut-out. However, the exact implementation remains uncertain until Apple officially demonstrates the technology.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to retain a 6.9-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and LTPO technology. Improvements in display efficiency and brightness have also been reported, although these details remain unconfirmed.
Colour options could include Dark Cherry or Burgundy, with blue or Sky Blue also reportedly being considered. There is still uncertainty over whether Apple will offer silver, black or another colour option.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is widely expected to be powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip. Multiple reports claim the chip will be based on TSMC’s 2nm process, potentially making it Apple’s first smartphone chip manufactured using the smaller node.
The move to 2nm could deliver improved performance and lower power consumption, benefiting demanding activities such as gaming, video editing and on-device artificial intelligence. The smartphone is also rumoured to feature 12GB of RAM, although this specification will need independent confirmation.
The camera system could receive one of the most significant upgrades. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to retain a triple-camera setup, with reports suggesting 48MP sensors for the main, ultra-wide and telephoto cameras.
A major new feature could be a variable-aperture main camera. Unlike a fixed-aperture lens, a variable-aperture system can physically adjust the amount of light entering the camera. This could provide greater exposure control, improve low-light photography and enable more natural depth-of-field effects in certain situations.
Some reports suggest the feature could be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, while other leaks indicate that it could also be available on the iPhone 18 Pro. If confirmed, the variable-aperture camera could become a major upgrade for photographers and content creators.
Battery life could also see a substantial improvement. Several leaks have pointed to a battery larger than the reported 5,088mAh battery of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with estimates ranging from around 5,100mAh to more than 5,500mAh. Apple has not officially revealed the battery capacity, so these figures remain unconfirmed.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is also expected to feature Apple’s next-generation C2 modem. The newer modem could offer improvements in power efficiency and cellular performance while reducing Apple’s dependence on third-party modem suppliers.
The smartphone is expected to launch with iOS 27, with Apple also likely to place greater emphasis on Apple Intelligence and on-device AI capabilities. The combination of the A20 Pro chip and potentially 12GB of RAM could provide additional processing capacity for future AI features.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max may not be the only major product unveiled on September 9. Apple is widely rumoured to introduce its first foldable iPhone, referred to in reports as the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold. The device is expected to feature a book-style folding design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series.
The foldable iPhone could become the premium showcase device of Apple’s 2026 lineup and may carry a significantly higher price than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Some reports have estimated a price of around $2,000 to $2,500, although this remains entirely unofficial.
Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 may not be launched alongside the Pro models this year. Several reports suggest Apple could split its iPhone launch schedule, with the standard iPhone 18 potentially arriving in 2027.
With just four days remaining before the event, Indian buyers will have to wait until September 9 for official confirmation of the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s specifications, pricing and launch schedule.