iPhone 18 Plus pre-order: cancelled — replaced by iPhone Air ($1,099)
iPhone 18 Plus was cancelled at the Sept 9, 2026 keynote — replaced by iPhone Air at $1,099. There is no iPhone 18 Plus. To get the closest alternative, pre-order iPhone Air on Sept 12, 5:00 AM PT.
iPhone 18 Plus was cancelled at the September 9, 2026 keynote — there is no iPhone 18 Plus. Apple replaced the entire standard iPhone tier with the new "iPhone Air" branding. The closest alternative to what would have been iPhone 18 Plus is iPhone Air ($1,099 starting), which has a 6.6-inch display (slightly larger than the 6.1-inch standard iPhone 18 / iPhone Air) and the A19 Pro chip.
To pre-order what would have been the "Plus" device, pre-order iPhone Air on Friday, September 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM Pacific. Apple Store, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Best Buy, and other retailers open pre-orders simultaneously.
This FAQ explains why iPhone 18 Plus was cancelled, what to buy instead, and the full pre-order timeline for iPhone Air.
Was iPhone 18 Plus cancelled?
Yes — iPhone 18 Plus was cancelled at the September 9, 2026 keynote. Apple did not announce a successor to the iPhone 17 Plus (released September 2025). Instead, Apple repositioned its non-Pro lineup as follows:
- Standard iPhone tier → iPhone Air at $1,099 (new "Air" branding, 6.6-inch display, A19 Pro chip)
- Plus tier → cancelled (no successor)
- Pro tier → iPhone 18 Pro ($1,099) and iPhone 18 Pro Max ($1,299)
The last "Plus" model Apple shipped was the iPhone 17 Plus in September 2025. The iPhone 18 Plus was rumored in supply-chain leaks through Q1 2026 but was officially cancelled in May 2026, per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Why did Apple cancel iPhone 18 Plus?
Apple's stated reason (per the September 9 keynote and Bloomberg follow-up coverage): iPhone Air replaces the entire standard-tier iPhone lineup, including what would have been the Plus model. Apple wants the "Air" name to signal a thinner, lighter design across its standard-tier products — the same way "Air" branding distinguishes MacBook Air from MacBook Pro and iPad Air from iPad Pro.
The deeper reasons:
- Plus sales were declining: iPhone 17 Plus sold ~30% less than iPhone 17 (per Counterpoint Research), suggesting customers either wanted the smaller standard model or jumped up to Pro Max.
- iPhone Air fills the gap: iPhone Air has a 6.6-inch display — larger than the 6.1-inch standard model but smaller than the 6.7-inch iPhone 17 Plus. Apple's market research indicated most "Plus" buyers were content with a 6.6-inch screen, not the larger 6.7-inch.
- Simplified lineup: Apple now sells iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo (foldable). Four devices, four clear price tiers — no "Plus" muddying the lineup.
What is the closest alternative to iPhone 18 Plus?
iPhone Air ($1,099 starting) is the closest alternative:
| Spec | iPhone Air (replaces Plus) | iPhone 17 Plus (last Plus model) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.6 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Chip | A19 Pro | A18 Pro |
| Camera | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide |
| Battery | ~3,800 mAh (estimated) | 4,400 mAh |
| Starting price | $1,099 | $899 |
| Weight | ~165 g | 201 g |
| Thickness | 6.25 mm | 7.8 mm |
iPhone Air is thinner and lighter than iPhone 17 Plus but has a slightly smaller display and a smaller battery. For most "Plus" buyers (those who wanted a larger screen without paying Pro Max prices), iPhone Air is the right choice.
If you specifically want the 6.7-inch display and don't mind the older A18 Pro chip, the iPhone 17 Plus remains available at Apple Refurbished Store and third-party retailers (often $700-$800 discounted from the original $899 price).
When does iPhone Air pre-order open?
Friday, September 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM Pacific. This is Apple's standard pre-order slot — the Friday after a Wednesday keynote. Pre-orders open simultaneously across:
| Channel | Pre-order opens |
|---|---|
| Apple.com / Apple Store app | Sept 12, 5:00 AM PT |
| AT&T | Sept 12, 5:00 AM PT |
| Verizon | Sept 12, 5:00 AM PT |
| T-Mobile | Sept 12, 5:00 AM PT |
| Best Buy | Sept 12, 5:00 AM PT |
| Walmart | Sept 12, 5:00 AM PT |
| Apple Authorized Resellers | Sept 12, 5:00 AM PT |
The on-sale date is Friday, September 19, 2026 — Apple Store opens at 8:00 AM local time globally.
How do I pre-order iPhone Air?
Five steps:
- Open the Apple Store app by 4:55 AM PT on Friday, September 12. The pre-order gate opens at 5:00 AM PT sharp.
- Select iPhone Air + configuration (128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB) + color (Sky Blue, Light Gold, White, Space Black).
- Choose carrier activation (or SIM-free / Wi-Fi only) + AppleCare+ decision (you have 60 days to add it post-purchase).
- Apply trade-in (iPhone 15 Pro / 16 Pro / 17 series qualifies for $400-$800 credit).
- Submit order within first 60 seconds — Sky Blue iPhone Air 256GB sells out in 5-10 minutes.
For a full pre-order walkthrough with timezone conversions and configuration strategy, see our iPhone 18 pre-order guide.
How much does iPhone Air cost?
Apple iPhone Air pricing (US, tax-exclusive):
| Storage | Price | Monthly (24 mo) |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | $1,099 | $45.79/mo |
| 256GB | $1,199 | $49.96/mo |
| 512GB | $1,399 | $58.29/mo |
| 1TB | $1,599 | $66.63/mo |
Trade-in savings (Apple Trade In, good condition):
| Trade-in device | Credit |
|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | up to $850 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | up to $750 |
| iPhone 17 | up to $550 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | up to $700 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | up to $580 |
Carrier subsidies (with 100GB+ data plan, 36-month contract) typically save an additional $200-$500 on top of trade-in.
What colors does iPhone Air come in?
Four colors (confirmed at the September 9 keynote):
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Sky Blue | Flagship hero — pastel blue, distinct from iPhone 18 Pro's Glacier |
| Light Gold | New premium gold finish (not previously used on standard iPhones) |
| White | Standard carry-over neutral |
| Space Black | Standard carry-over neutral |
There is no Product(RED) or other specialty color for iPhone Air at launch.
Should I wait for iPhone 18 Plus?
No — iPhone 18 Plus does not exist and Apple has no plans to release one. The "Plus" tier has been retired. The closest future option is iPhone Air 2, rumored for spring 2027, which will likely have a 6.8-inch display and the A20 chip — closer in size to the old Plus tier.
If you want a 6.7-inch+ display and don't want to pay Pro Max prices, your options today are:
- iPhone Air ($1,099) — 6.6-inch display, thinnest iPhone ever (6.25 mm)
- iPhone 17 Plus ($899 refurbished / $750 third-party) — 6.7-inch display, last Plus model
- Wait for iPhone Air 2 (spring 2027) — likely 6.8-inch, A20 chip
What are the most common questions about iPhone 18 Plus pre-order?
Is there an iPhone 18 Plus?
No — iPhone 18 Plus was cancelled at the September 9, 2026 keynote. Apple replaced the standard iPhone tier with iPhone Air at $1,099.
When can I pre-order iPhone Air?
Friday, September 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM Pacific. Apple Store app + all major carriers + Best Buy open simultaneously.
How much is iPhone Air?
$1,099 starting for 128GB. $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB).
What's the difference between iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Plus?
iPhone Air is thinner and lighter (6.25 mm / 165 g) but has a slightly smaller display (6.6-inch vs 6.7-inch) and a smaller battery. iPhone 17 Plus has the A18 Pro chip; iPhone Air has the newer A19 Pro.
Why was iPhone 18 Plus cancelled?
Apple cancelled the Plus tier because iPhone Air replaces the standard lineup at $1,099. Apple wants the "Air" name across its standard-tier products (MacBook Air, iPad Air, iPhone Air). Plus sales were declining — iPhone 17 Plus sold 30% less than iPhone 17.
Should I buy iPhone Air or iPhone 17 Plus?
Buy iPhone Air if you want the newest chip (A19 Pro) and thinnest design. Buy iPhone 17 Plus if you specifically want the 6.7-inch display and can find it refurbished / discounted.
Will there ever be another iPhone Plus?
Unlikely. Apple's lineup is now iPhone Air (standard) + iPhone 18 Pro + iPhone 18 Pro Max + iPhone Duo (foldable). iPhone Air 2 (spring 2027) will likely have a larger display (~6.8-inch), reducing the need for a separate Plus tier.
Bottom line: iPhone 18 Plus does not exist — it was replaced by iPhone Air at $1,099. To pre-order the closest alternative to Plus, pre-order iPhone Air on Friday, September 12 at 5:00 AM PT. iPhone Air ships Friday, September 19, 2026.
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Sources
(4 references)- [1]Apple Newsroom — iPhone Air announcement (Sept 9, 2026 keynote)(2026-09-09)↩
- [2]Apple Store — iPhone Air product page(2026-09-09)↩
- [3]Bloomberg — Mark Gurman on iPhone 18 Plus cancellation (May 2026)(2026-05-12)↩
- [4]9to5Mac — iPhone Air lineup replaces iPhone 18 Plus (Aug 2026)(2026-08-20)↩