The Ukrainian retail market has finally settled on the release calendar for Apple's new product line. According to RBC-Ukraine, citing the local retailer TekhnoIzhak (Instagram), official sales of the flagship iPhone 18 lineup, along with the accompanying smartwatches and earbuds, will begin on September 25, 2026. The opening of official pre-orders is scheduled for September 18 — exactly one week before sales start. This means Ukrainian buyers will be able to place orders for the new devices first in the country at the end of the first week of September, and receive them in the last week of the month.
What will be available in the first wave of sales
On the first day of sales, September 25, Ukrainian buyers will be able to purchase the base and flagship iPhone 18 smartphone lines, as well as the new Apple smartwatches and earbuds. Retailers emphasize that it is precisely these device categories that make up the "first wave" and will be available in stores and through online channels simultaneously. At the same time, official price tags for the Ukrainian market have not yet been announced as of publication: retailers expect the cost of the devices to be close to European prices, which traditionally means a premium markup over cost due to logistics and certification.
Foldable iPhone Duo: why it is not in the first batch
The main intrigue of the season — the company's first-ever foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo — will not go on sale together with the base lineup. Its release on the Ukrainian market is delayed: the device will appear in official sales later, tentatively in late October or early November 2026. This means that buyers who were hoping to get the foldable flagship at the same time as the iPhone 18 will have to wait about another month. Visually, the iPhone Duo is distinguished by a characteristic bend in the display at the center of the body and a dual camera on the back panel, making it the most eye-catching device in the lineup.
Prices: what is expected on the Ukrainian market
Retailers have not yet published official price tags for the new products in Ukraine. According to available estimates, the cost of the devices will be close to European prices, which historically for Apple means one of the highest price levels in the world. Final price lists typically appear on the day pre-orders open — September 18 — so the exact amounts in hryvnia will become known closer to that date.
Contradictory data
There are several inconsistencies in the public information that should be taken into account. First, on other markets the pre-order timelines have already diverged: the Russian retailer T2 reported that pre-orders for the iPhone 18 were open, while the custom brand Caviar announced the launch of pre-orders for custom versions of the iPhone 18 as early as May 2026 — "well before Apple." This creates a spread in public data on the "pre-order date" depending on the region and type of offer (standard retail vs. custom). Second, the key Ukrainian dates (September 18 and 25) have been confirmed by the retailer, but the final prices and the exact release date of the foldable iPhone Duo (October/November) remain unspecified and may shift. Therefore, some details are still preliminary.
Context: how the timelines are shaped
Altogether, the picture looks like this: September 18 — the start of official pre-orders in Ukraine, September 25 — retail sales of the iPhone 18, smartwatches, and earbuds, and late October to early November — the release of the foldable iPhone Duo. For buyers, this means two separate purchase windows: the base lineup can be obtained already at the end of September, while the most technologically advanced foldable device will have to wait until November. Retailers will clarify exact prices and availability in specific stores on the day pre-orders open.
