Apple officially unveils the iPhone 18 Pro on September 9 at an event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park (10 a.m. Pacific, streamed on Apple’s website, the Apple TV app, and YouTube), under the tagline “Surprise and Shine.” The short version: according to leaks — still unconfirmed by Apple — the real change is an A20 Pro chip built on a 2-nanometer process, more RAM for on-device AI, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, all at a price that’s expected to climb versus the iPhone 17 Pro because of the global RAM memory shortage. If you don’t need to be first in line, it’s worth knowing what actually changes before deciding whether to wait for the 9th or buy now.
Quick pick
- You want the newest chip and don’t mind paying more → wait for the iPhone 18 Pro, even with the expected price bump.
- Price matters more than being on the Pro tier → the iPhone 17 already got cheaper this week and should drop further once the 18 launches.
- You’re curious about the foldable → brace for a steep price (~$2,000 per leaks) and limited availability at launch.
The A20 Pro chip: what actually changes
According to AppleInsider and Notebookcheck, the A20 Pro would be built on TSMC’s 2-nanometer (N2) process — the current A19 Pro uses 3nm — with a 7-core GPU versus 6 cores on the outgoing chip. In practice that points to roughly 15-18% faster performance and up to 30% lower power draw under certain workloads, rather than a dramatic leap in raw power. The same leaks suggest Apple would standardize 12GB of RAM across the whole Pro lineup to give on-device AI models more headroom, and that the Pro line would finally get an in-house modem — either the C1X already used in the iPhone Air, or the newer C2, depending on the source — replacing the Qualcomm modem the iPhone 17 Pro ships with today. None of this is official — Apple confirms real numbers on September 9.
Apple’s first foldable: what’s known so far
The same supply-chain sources that correctly called the A20 describe a book-style design with a ~7.8-inch inner display and a ~5.5-inch outer one, with no visible crease on the glass — something no Android foldable has fully solved. The rumored price sits around $1,999-2,000, with analysts like JPMorgan pointing to limited units at launch. Apple hasn’t confirmed either the name (press nicknames like “iPhone Fold” or “iPhone Ultra” aren’t official) or whether it lands the same day as the 18 Pro or weeks later.
Why everything costs more this year: the memory crisis
Here’s the figure that should weigh most on your decision. DRAM and NAND prices have been climbing hard throughout 2026 — Gartner projects DRAM prices to rise more than 100% year over year — because AI data-center chip demand is competing for the same manufacturing capacity phones rely on. The result, per TechRadar and several analysts: the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to cost $100 to $200 more than the 17 Pro did at launch, and that same pressure is already pushing other brands to trim RAM and storage on their mid-range phones just to hold the price line.
Should you buy the iPhone 17 now or wait for the 18 Pro?
If you don’t need the fastest chip or the foldable, the iPhone 17 is already the sensible buy: in Spain it’s already selling under €800 on Amazon — a refurbished unit at €799, with limited stock — versus its €959 official price at Apple’s own store, and the 17 Pro and Pro Max also dropped in several markets over the past weeks as retailers clear stock. Once Apple confirms the 18 Pro, the 17 Pro and Pro Max will likely get discontinued rather than discounted much further — so right now is the best window to grab one on sale. If the A20 chip, the new in-house modem, or the foldable are what you’re after, it’s worth waiting for tomorrow’s official announcement before deciding: real prices and specs can differ from the leaks. You can compare the rest of the lineup in our iPhone 17 buying guide, the Top 10 iPhones, or our comparison tool.
🛒 Check the iPhone 17 on AmazonFAQ
When can you buy the iPhone 18 Pro? Apple typically opens preorders the Friday of launch week and starts shipping the following week, matching its recent release pattern.
Will the foldable be available on day one? Not confirmed. Several supply-chain leaks point to limited units if Apple announces it the same September 9.
Is it worth waiting if you already have an iPhone 15 or 16? Probably not for the chip alone: the A20 Pro’s efficiency gains are real, but they don’t justify a higher price on their own unless you specifically want the foldable or the new in-house modem.
Are these specs final? No. Everything above is a pre-event leak; Apple confirms real specs, pricing, and availability on September 9.
Bottom line: September 9’s event brings, per current leaks, a 2nm A20 Pro with more RAM, an in-house modem on the Pro line, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone — all at a higher price driven by the RAM memory shortage hitting the whole industry. If you don’t need to be first, the discounted iPhone 17 remains the more sensible buy.
Sources: MacRumors — Apple announces “Surprise and Shine” event for September 9, AppleInsider — iPhone 18 Pro rumor roundup: 2nm A20 chip, C2 modem, Tom’s Guide — iPhone Fold tipped for 2026 release by JPMorgan, at $1,999, Forbes — iPhone 17 Pro Max price drops again across markets before the event, TechRadar — why iPhone 17 pricing is more complicated than usual this year.
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