On September 9 at 7:00 p.m., Apple will unveil the new iPhone 18 lineup —likely at steep prices. This inevitably raises the question: Should you buy now, or wait a few months? Especially with the Pro series, the price difference can quickly amount to several hundred euros. A recent data analysis by idealo now provides a concrete answer: Based on price trends for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series, the price comparison service has calculated how prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to evolve in the months following their launch.
Pre-orders for the new iPhone 18 Pro series begin on September 12, and sales start on September 18, 2026. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the wait, here’s an overview of the key figures from the price forecast—including the times when, according to the forecast, the biggest savings are expected to be available.
How idealo Calculates Its Price Forecast
idealo’s price forecast is not based on assumptions, but on an analysis of real price data: The price comparison service examined how prices for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series have evolved since their respective market launches and used this to derive a pattern for the coming months of the iPhone 18 series. While this method offers no guarantees—after all, actual price trends also depend on demand, supply shortages, or new models—it does provide a reliable guide to what price trajectory can realistically be expected.
Important to note: The figures cited are forecasts based on historical patterns, not official announcements from Apple or retailers. Anyone who wants to keep track of actual price trends should still regularly compare market prices themselves in the coming months.
iPhone 18 Pro Price Trends in Detail
According to the forecast, the price of the iPhone 18 Pro will remain relatively stable immediately after its launch: In the first month, the price is expected to drop only slightly to around 1,371 euros—a savings of about 2% or 28 euros. So, anyone who absolutely wants to buy it at launch shouldn’t expect any quick discounts.
Things will get more interesting a few months later:
| Time after release | Projected price | Savings Compared to Launch Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month (end of September 2026) | approx. 1,371 € | approx. 28 € (−2 %) |
| 5 months (February/March 2027) | approx. 1,200 € | approx. 199 € (−14 %) |
| 11 months (late summer 2027) | approx. 1,143 € | approx. 256 € (−18 %) |
Starting inthe fifth month after the market launch—that is, around February or March 2027—idealo expects a noticeable price drop of about 14%. According to the forecast, those who wait until late summer 2027 could even save around 18% compared to the launch price, which—based on a starting price of 1,399 euros—amounts to a savings of about 256 euros.
Detailed Price Trend for the iPhone 18 Pro Max
A very similar pattern is emerging for the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max, albeit at a slightly different pace. In the first few weeks after its market launch, the price remains virtually unchanged. So anyone who absolutely wants the largest iPhone right away will effectively pay the full price.
| Time after release | Projected Price | Savings Compared to Launch Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month (end of September 2026) | approx. €1,649 | Virtually unchanged |
| 5 months (February/March 2027) | approx. 1,412 € | approx. 237 € (−14 %) |
| 9 months (early summer 2027) | approx. 1,328 € | approx. 321 € (−19 %) |
The same trend holds true for the Pro Max: The biggest price drop isn’t expected until about five months after launch at the earliest. According to the forecast, those who wait until early summer 2027 could save around 321 euros compared to the launch price—nearly 19% of the original purchase price.
Price Comparison: iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro
In addition to the pure price trend following the market launch, it’s also worth taking a look at how they compare to the previous generation. According to the forecast, both new Pro models launched at noticeably higher prices than their predecessors:
| Model | Starting Price (256 GB) | Predecessor | Starting Price of Predecessor | Price Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | €1,399 | iPhone 17 Pro | €1,299 | +100 € |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | €1,649 | iPhone 17 Pro Max | €1,449 | +200 € |
Anyone who’s waited to buy the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max already knows the pattern: Prices for current models tend to rise, while older generations become cheaper on the market. For anyone who isn’t particularly interested in the latest features, it might be worth checking out the previous model, whose price—based on past experience—is likely to drop even further after the iPhone 18 launches.
Black Friday and Other Discount Dates
In addition to the gradual price decline over the months, there’s one date bargain hunters can mark on their calendars right now: Black Friday on November 27, 2026. By that time, the iPhone 18 Pro will have been on the market for just over two months. According to forecasts, it will still be in the phase of relatively modest price declines. Nevertheless, it’s generally worth checking out Black Friday deals, as retailers offer additional discounts regardless of the regular price trend.
If you want to maximize your savings, it’s best to combine both strategies: keep an eye on price trends over several months and also specifically look for deals on discount days like Black Friday or at the end of the year.
Buying Recommendation: Buy Now or Wait?
Based on the price forecast, three general buying windows can be identified:
- Immediately upon launch (September 18, 2026): full price, but immediate access to the latest model
- Starting in February/March 2027 (approx. 5 months after release): first noticeable savings of around 14%
- Starting in summer 2027 (9 to 11 months after release): according to the forecast, the greatest savings of up to 18–19%
Which time frame is best depends primarily on how important immediate access to the latest features is and how much patience you have when it comes to saving money.
Conclusion
idealo’s iPhone 18 price forecast shows a pattern that has already been observed with previous iPhone generations: Immediately after the market launch, prices hardly change; a noticeable drop of about 14% is likely only after about five months, and according to the forecast, those who wait until the summer of the following year can save as much as 18 to 19% compared to the launch price. Both the iPhone 18 Pro (starting at €1,399) and the iPhone 18 Pro Max (starting at €1,649) will be more expensive at launch than their respective predecessors—a trend that has continued across past generations.
Whether the forecast plays out exactly as predicted depends, as always, on demand, availability, and general market conditions. However, it provides a solid basis for your own purchasing decision: If you don’t need the latest technology right at launch, you should mark February/March 2027 and summer 2027 on your calendar and, until then, keep an eye out for any Black Friday deals.
