Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max opened at 5 a.m. Pacific today in the US and dozens of other countries. Apple’s own online store told a different story within two hours. By 6:45 a.m. Pacific, several iPhone 18 Pro Max configurations had already slipped from a September 18 launch-day delivery to estimates stretching into October.
Which iPhone 18 Pro Max configurations moved to October
According to a MacRumors snapshot of Apple’s US store, several 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max colors slipped to October. Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy in that storage tier, plus 512GB Burgundy, showed October 6 to 13 delivery windows. The 512GB Glacier model showed a September 24 to 29 window. Every 1TB and 2TB Pro Max configuration Apple lists was still on track for the September 18 launch date at that time.
The smaller iPhone 18 Pro was unaffected. Every configuration of that model still showed September 18 delivery as of the same snapshot.
Why this matters for anyone ordering today
This is a point-in-time reading, not a fixed outcome. Delivery estimates on Apple’s store move constantly as inventory allocates against incoming orders, and they will keep shifting throughout the day. What it shows clearly is that base and mid-tier storage on the larger Pro Max is under the most demand pressure this launch. That pattern has repeated across recent iPhone generations.
Apple’s earlier pre-order coverage for today only listed September 18 as the shipping date across the board. Buyers checking out now should expect base-storage Pro Max colors to show a later date than what was advertised at launch. Check Apple Store pickup availability for your specific city and model if a September 18 delivery matters to you.
Source: Apple Newsroom, via MacRumors
