Full Breakdown
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Launch Triggers Both Consumer Scams and a High-Profile “Shot on iPhone” Music Video
By Drooid · · How we work
Launch of the iPhone 18 Pro (Core Event)
Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, 2026. The Pro models are priced at £1,199 and £1,299 in the United Kingdom and feature a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with a mechanical variable aperture, upgraded professional video controls, and Apple’s first 2 nm A20 Pro chip.
Surge in Fraudulent Websites (Scam Surge)
Security researcher Alexandre François of WhoisXML API reported a sharp increase in domain registrations that include “Apple” or “iPhone 18” around the launch day. In each of the last four iPhone releases, more than 200 new domains were registered within 24 hours of the keynote, compared with one or none on a typical day. Many of these domains later become phishing sites that mimic Apple’s retail pages, often using AI-generated copy and realistic product images. The sites typically demand payment by bank transfer or cryptocurrency, avoiding the consumer protections offered by credit-card transactions. Prices advertised are substantially lower than Apple’s official £1,199 starting price, and short-deadline offers are used to pressure buyers.
“Shot on iPhone” Music Video with BLACKPINK’s Rose (Music-Video Collaboration)
On September 10, 2026, BLACKPINK member Rose announced a partnership with Apple to film the music video for her solo single “New Trick” entirely on the iPhone 18 Pro. The video is part of Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign and is directed by Dave Meyers. Promotional teasers show Rose holding a purple-burgundy lollipop branded with “New Trick” and “Shot on iPhone 18 Pro”. Apple highlighted the phone’s upgraded camera system—three 48 MP rear lenses, variable aperture, and up to 8× optical zoom—as a showcase for professional-grade video production.
Official Statements & Responses
Apple’s Safari browser now displays a warning when users attempt to visit suspected phishing or malware sites, a measure intended to curb the effectiveness of the newly proliferated scam pages. Apple also clarified that it does not run lotteries or recruit participants to test phones, and that legitimate retailers accept multiple payment methods, including debit and credit cards. In the context of the music video, Apple emphasized the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera capabilities as a central feature of the launch messaging.
Data & Statistics
- Official UK price: £1,199 (Pro) and £1,299 (Pro Max).
- Over 200 domain names referencing the new models were registered within 24 hours of the September 9 launch.
- T-Mobile’s “Experience Beyond” plan can offset the full $1,199.99 price of the 256 GB iPhone 18 Pro with up to $1,200 in credits over 36 months, leaving the consumer responsible only for tax and a $35 connection fee.
- The “New Trick” music video release is scheduled for September 17 at 7 p.m. ET (September 18 KST), with the full track and video arriving simultaneously.
What’s Next (Future Timeline)
- Pre-orders began on September 12, with the first shipments slated for September 18.
- Rose’s single and its iPhone-filmed video will be released on September 17/18, aligning the music launch with the phone’s market debut.
- Consumers are advised to verify retailer legitimacy, use credit-card payment methods when possible, and report any fraudulent transactions to their banks.