Apple has barely finished showing off its latest iPhones, but scammers certainly haven’t wasted any time. Fake websites claiming to sell the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo are already appearing online, often with prices that look frankly absurd, considering how much these devices usually sell for.
Apple officially revealed the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, on September, 9 2026. Just days later, fraudulent stores are already attempting to cash in on people looking for a bargain.
Fake iPhone 18 Deals Are Already Appearing
According to The Guardian, scam websites have been appearing with domain names containing words such as Apple and iPhone, making them look more convincing at first glance.
Some are offering the latest devices for hundreds less than their genuine retail prices, while others are asking buyers to pay using bank transfers or cryptocurrency. Those payment methods should immediately raise concerns, especially when dealing with an unfamiliar retailer.
The websites aren’t necessarily the badly designed scam pages we might have expected years ago either. Some use official-looking specifications, polished designs, and AI-generated content to help make them appear legitimate.
Perhaps the biggest red flag is that some of these stores are reportedly advertising a standard iPhone 18. Apple hasn’t announced that model as part of its current lineup, with the company instead unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and iPhone Duo.
How to Avoid an iPhone 18 Scam
As always, if a deal looks too good to be true, there is a good chance it probably is.
Be particularly cautious with unfamiliar websites offering huge discounts on newly released hardware, especially if they pressure you into acting quickly or insist on payment by bank transfer or cryptocurrency; no reputable company such as Apple is going to insist you pay with these types of currencies.
It’s also worth checking exactly which products Apple has actually announced before handing over any money. For example, the iPhone Duo isn’t even available for preorder until October 16, with general availability beginning October, 23 2026.
Apple also recommends using Safari’s fraudulent website warnings and reporting suspicious activity. If you think you’ve already paid money to a scam website, contact your bank as quickly as possible.
New iPhone launches always attract plenty of excitement, but apparently they also attract scammers almost immediately. Saving a few hundred dollars might sound tempting, but a suspiciously cheap iPhone could end up costing you considerably more.
Support Unboxed Reviews
Unboxed Reviews is fully independent — no publisher funding, no pay-to-win scores. If our reviews, news and guides have helped you, consider buying us a coffee. It helps keep the lights on.
Donations are entirely voluntary. Supporters receive no editorial influence — our reviews remain 100% independent.
