Apple’s event ended a few hours ago, and all the questions we receive on WhatsApp are the same: When will the iPhone 18 be released? How much will it cost? What’s the story with the foldable phone? This article answers you from the official source, with Saudi prices and an order button that works right now.
The short answer to “When will the iPhone 18 be released?”
Apple has split this year’s launch into two phases. Released today are the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max and the foldable iPhone Duo. The standard iPhone 18 will not be released before spring 2027, and that is the most important thing to know before ordering anything.
Order and pay now to secure priority in the first batch. Order fulfillment begins in late September 2026, in payment order. Four colors and four storage capacities; the first batch is limited.
Order the 18 Pro MaxA 7.6-inch screen that opens like a book, 50% larger than the Pro Max. Order and pay now, and order fulfillment begins in late October 2026.
Order iPhone DuoWhy order the iPhone 18 from Refaa instead of anywhere else?
Ordering before shipping is a decision based on trust before it is a decision based on price. You pay for a device that has not arrived yet, so the real question is: who are you ordering from? These are four things we commit to with every customer.
Gold authenticity guarantee
Every device is an original Apple product in its sealed box, and you can verify the serial number on Apple’s website before opening it.
We source from the first global batch
We don’t wait for the local release. Your device comes from the first shipment Apple sends out, just as we did with the iPhone 17 Pro Max before it.
Free shipping throughout the Kingdom
Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, or any other city - shipping and delivery to your door are on us, with no additional fees.
Secure payment
Pay the full price of the device through a secure payment gateway, and we will contact you after your order to confirm the delivery details.
How your order moves from payment to your door
What has and hasn’t been released: let’s correct two myths first
Weeks before the event, leaks said the foldable phone would be called “iPhone Ultra” or “iPhone Fold.” The official name turned out to be iPhone DuoAnd there is no such thing as an iPhone 18 Ultra. If you’re looking for the Ultra, you’re looking for the Duo.
Myth #2: “The iPhone 18 has been released.” No. Only the two more expensive models have been released: the Pro and Pro Max. The standard model, the 18e, and the second-generation iPhone Air have all been postponed until spring 2027. This is a decision made by Apple itself, not a shipping delay.
See the difference for yourself before you decide
These are Apple's official clips that sum up the difference: the first is for the foldable device, and the second is for the first variable-aperture camera on an iPhone. If you don't have time for the entire keynote, keep reading and I'll summarize what really matters to you.
The full keynote, featuring John Ternus's first appearance as CEO, is available on Apple's Events page.
iPhone 18 Pro Max: three leaps, not annual updates
Apple usually tweaks the camera a little, the chip a little, and calls it a day. This year is different. There are three things it has never done on an iPhone before.
The first iPhone camera with a variable aperture
This is the first leap. The 48-megapixel main camera has six laser-cut metal blades that move between four openings. At night, it opens to f/1.48 to let in more light, and for group photos it narrows to f/4 so the faces in the back remain clear instead of blending together. Professional cameras have done this for years, but this is the first time you've seen it on an Apple phone. You can control it manually from the new Pro controls mode, along with shutter speed, white balance, and the histogram.
The biggest battery leap in iPhone history
The second leap. The Pro Max delivers up to 45 hours of video playback and 30 hours of real-world use. The most important figure for me: five minutes of charging gives you seven hours of video, and half a charge in fifteen minutes.
A20 Pro chip with three times the cooling
The third leap is technical, but you can feel it in your hand. It's the first chip built on a 2-nanometer process, and more importantly, it's attached directly to a vapor chamber with three times the cooling area of the previous generation. The result: the phone doesn't heat up and slow down after half an hour of gaming like most phones do, and sustained performance is 40% higher than the 17 Pro.
Pro or Pro Max? And why we're specifically offering the Pro Max
Both devices have the same new camera, A20 Pro chip, and Face ID. The only differences are size and battery: the Pro Max has a larger screen and the longest battery life in iPhone history, with a clear advantage over the Pro. Since demand for the Pro Max in Saudi Arabia is several times higher than demand for the Pro, we focused the first batch on it. So if you're choosing between the two and the price difference doesn't matter much to you, the Pro Max is the more comfortable long-term choice.
iPhone Duo: The first foldable iPhone - what does that actually mean?
For the first time in twenty years, Apple has changed the iPhone's design. Folded, it's a phone with a 5.4-inch screen the size of a passport; unfold it and it becomes a 7.6-inch screen that works in portrait or landscape. The inner screen is 50% larger than the Pro Max and 80% larger than the regular Pro.
What sets it apart from every foldable phone on the market
Samsung and Google have made foldable phones for years, so what’s new? Three things. First, the internal display has a matte nano-texture layer that reduces reflections and hides the crease that bothers people on other phones. Second, iOS 27 has been redesigned for folding: the dock is now vertical on the side, and the display can show two apps side by side on an iPhone for the first time. Third, and this is the one nobody mentions: the front camera is completely hidden beneath the internal display, so there is no notch or hole-punch cutout.
Pro Max or Duo? The comparison that will make your decision
Both phones use the same A20 Pro chip, the same iOS 27, and the same Siri AI. The differences are limited to specific features, all shown in one table.
| Item | iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Display | One, in the usual Pro Max size | External 5.4-inch and internal 7.6-inch displays |
| Face ID | Yes | No, Touch ID in the button |
| Main camera | 48 megapixels with variable aperture | 48 megapixels with built-in 2x zoom |
| Telephoto lens | Yes | No |
| Battery | Up to 45 hours of video | Up to 31 hours of internal use or 44 hours of external use |
| Charge to 50% | 15 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Two apps side by side | No | Yes, Split View |
| Apple Pencil | No | Supported in a future update |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Colors | Burgundy, Ice, Silver, Black | Star White, Night Sky Blue |
| Global launch | September 18 | October 23 |
| Starting price | 8,624 riyals | 11,249 riyals |
Still unsure? Choose the one that matches you
Go Pro Max without hesitation. The variable aperture, telephoto lens, and Reference Image feature are exclusive to it.
Order the 18 Pro MaxDuo is designed precisely for you. Its 7.6-inch screen lets you watch Netflix or work in two apps side by side, like on an iPad.
Order iPhone DuoPro Max. 45 hours of video playback and 40% higher sustained performance with three times the cooling, making it the longest-lasting battery in iPhone history.
Order the 18 Pro MaxDuo is the first foldable iPhone in Apple’s history, and you can be among the first to own it in the Kingdom if you order today.
Order iPhone DuoiPhone 18 Pro Max price and iPhone Duo price in Saudi Arabia
Apple’s announced global price: the Pro Max starts at $1,299, while Duo starts at $1,999. But the official Saudi version has not been released yet and has no announced date, so what’s currently available is importing from the first global batch. The prices below include import, shipping, and customs.
| Storage | Price in riyals |
|---|---|
| 256 GB | 8,624 |
| 512 GB | 9,374 |
| 1 TB | 10,124 |
| 2 TB | 11,624 |
Order and pay now; fulfillment begins in late September 2026.Order page
| Storage | Price in riyals |
|---|---|
| 256 GB | 11,249 |
| 512 GB | 11,999 |
| 1 TB | 13,499 |
| 2 TB | 15,749 |
Order and pay now; fulfillment begins in late October 2026.Order page
| Device | 256 GB | 2 TB |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | $1,199 | $1,999 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | $1,299 | $2,099 |
| iPhone Duo | $1,999 | $3,199 |
These are Apple’s U.S. prices before taxes and shipping, according to the official statement.
iPhone 18 colors: Which color should you choose?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max comes in four colors, with burgundy being the new one. If you want a color that will make your phone stand out during the first two months, choose burgundy, because it’s the color you’ll see in every ad. If you want a color that will last for years without getting boring, silver and black won’t disappoint. Glacier is somewhere in between: light and understated, and it hides minor scratches better than black.
Actual iPhone 18 release date in Saudi Arabia: The complete timeline
The question we get most often is: “When exactly will the iPhone 18 Pro Max be released?” and “When is the iPhone 18 coming out?” There is a difference between the “global launch” and “when it reaches you in Riyadh or Jeddah.” This timeline explains both.
The official version through Apple Saudi Arabia has no announced release date. The only way to guarantee that it reaches you from the first batch is to order with immediate payment from the first global batch, which is what we've been doing for years with every release.
The difference between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and 18 Pro Max: Is it worth upgrading?
If you have the 17 Pro Max, the honest answer is: it's worth it if you take a lot of photos or play demanding games. The variable aperture alone changes the quality of your photos at night and at group events. Battery life has increased from 39 hours of video playback to 45, and sustained performance is 40% higher. If your usage is ordinary, the difference does not justify the upgrade. But if you have a 15 or 16, the leap is significant in every respect.
If you want to make the most of your current phone, iPhone 17 Pro Max is still available from us at a lower price for those who do not need the new camera.
Frequently asked questions on WhatsApp every day
Has the iPhone 18 been released or not? And how long until it arrives?
Only the two more expensive models have been released: iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. The global release is September 18, 2026. The standard model will not be released before spring 2027.
How much does the iPhone 18 Pro Max cost in Saudi Arabia?
Our prices start at SAR 8,624 for 256GB and go up to SAR 11,624 for 2TB, including import and customs duties. The official US price is $1,299 before taxes.
What does the iPhone 18 Pro Max look like? Has the design changed?
The design is similar to the 17 Pro, with the visible difference being that Dynamic Island is smaller and displays three activities at once. The camera bump is also slightly thicker because of the new lens. Burgundy is an entirely new color.
What is the iPhone 18 Ultra? Has it been released?
There is no such thing as an iPhone 18 Ultra. That was the name expected in leaks for the foldable phone, but its official name turned out to be iPhone Duo.
What are the iPhone 18 Pro Max colors?
Four colors: the new Burgundy, Glacier, Silver, and Black. Duo comes in two colors: Star White and Night Sky.
Why shouldn't I wait for the official Saudi release?
There is no announced date yet. If you want the device from the first global batch before the initial quantity runs out, ordering with immediate payment is the option.
Can Duo withstand repeated folding?
The hinge is made of more than 100 parts and supports the center of the screen. The frame is grade 5 titanium, and the screen layers slide over one another like pages in a book to reduce pressure. It is IP68 water- and dust-resistant.
When will I receive the iPhone 18 Pro Max if I order today?
Orders will start being processed and shipped in late September 2026 in payment order. Order and pay now to secure your priority, and we will contact you after your order to confirm the delivery details.
Why should I order from Refaa instead of waiting for stores?
Because the first batch sells out quickly, you can secure your device from the first global shipment with the Gold Authenticity Guarantee and free shipping. We will contact you immediately after your order with the expected delivery date.
Order iPhone 18 from Refaa today before the first batch runs out
We source every iPhone release from the first global shipment before it reaches stores, and the initial quantity always sells out in the first week. Choose your device and order it now with the Gold Authenticity Guarantee and free shipping.
