Apple to delay iPhone 18 Pro pre-order to Sept 12
Apple plans to shift iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders to Saturday, September 12, 2026, avoiding the 25th anniversary of 9/11
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Apple set to push iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders to September 12, 2026
- Change made to avoid the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the US
- Pre-order time shifts to midnight Pacific Time, equaling 2:00 PM in Thailand
- Thai consumers will experience a shift from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon slots
A recent report from the German tech publication Macwelt indicates that Apple is preparing to adjust its schedule for pre-ordering the upcoming flagship devices, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, moving the date to Saturday, September 12, 2026, instead of the traditional Friday, September 11 slot.
This rescheduling decision stems from the fact that September 11, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. As a day of national remembrance and mourning, Apple has chosen to push the launch back by one day out of respect, while also shifting the opening time from 05.00 AM Pacific Time to midnight Pacific Time, which corresponds to 2:00 PM local time in Thailand.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Regarding the official announcement, Apple has scheduled its special launch event themed "Surprise and shine" for Wednesday, September 9, 2026, translating to midnight between Wednesday and Thursday, September 10, in Thailand. The event will showcase the iPhone 18 Pro series alongside the anticipated foldable iPhone Ultra, alongside other new hardware including Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
For buyers in Thailand, this schedule alteration will directly impact the ordering process assuming the country remains in the first-wave launch group. During the iPhone 17 release in 2025, customers across more than 63 countries including Thailand could place orders starting Friday evening at 7:00 PM. Those waiting for the iPhone 18 Pro this year will transition from the familiar Friday evening slot to a Saturday afternoon opening.
Apple's deliberate schedule adjustment to bypass the solemn 9/11 anniversary highlights the tech giant's careful navigation of American cultural sensitivities. A historical precedent was set back in 2015 with the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launch, where pre-orders originally slated for September 11 were similarly deferred to Saturday, September 12. This operational flexibility allows the company to balance global commercial rollouts with domestic respect for historical milestones.
Nevertheless, Apple has yet to officially confirm the final pre-order dates and the complete list of initial launch countries. Definitive details are expected to be unveiled during the official keynote presentation in less than two weeks, with reports suggesting that the foldable iPhone Ultra may follow a distinct pre-order timeline separate from the standard Pro lineup.
Source: Thairath Lifestyle
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