Apple’s next iPhones are still unannounced, so names, specs and prices remain rumoured. Here’s who may want to buy now and who may want to wait for the keynote.
The Apple "Surprise and Shine" event is 2 days out. If you've been putting off a phone upgrade decision, waiting for a clearer signal, this is the moment to compare your options carefully. And this year the decision is genuinely messier than usual: three new devices, what could be Apple's biggest hardware swing in years, and pricing talk that has everyone a little nervous. Here's how to think it through, depending on which version of "you" you are.
Short version for people who don't want to read the whole thing: if your phone is working fine, wait it out. The keynote lands on 10 September at 1:00 AM MYT. By 3:00 AM, you'll have everything you need to decide. If your phone is broken and you need something now, it may still be reasonable to buy before the announcement, especially if an existing promo meaningfully reduces the total cost.
Waiting makes sense if your current phone still works. Apple confirms official Malaysia pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra on 9 September. But if you need a phone now, the live iPhone 17 Pro promotion (up to RM3,027 off) is worth weighing while it is available.
Apple's September event covers only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Ultra foldable. The standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, Apple's more affordable models, aren't expected until Spring 2027, so budget buyers won't find a cheaper new iPhone this September.
This actually matters, because the iPhone 18 lineup isn't what most people assume it is. Apple is doing something it's genuinely never done before: splitting one generation's launch across two completely different seasons. Here's what's landing when:
| Device | Est. Malaysia price | When |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | ~RM6,300+ (analyst est.) | Expected September 2026 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | ~RM7,500+ (analyst est.) | September 2026 |
| iPhone Ultra (foldable) | ~speculative RM9,000–11,000 | September 2026 (limited supply) |
| iPhone 18 (standard) | TBC | Spring 2027, not this event |
| iPhone 18e | TBC | Spring 2027, not this event |
If you were specifically holding out for a non-Pro iPhone 18, bad news, you're not getting it in September. The next affordable Apple flagship is officially a 2027 problem. That changes the whole calculation. You're either paying Pro prices this year or buying current-gen at a post-announcement discount, and right now that iPhone 17 Pro promo gives you another option to consider if it fits your budget.
Whether buying now or waiting makes more sense depends on your situation: a working phone favours waiting the couple of days left for official pricing, a broken phone or tight budget favours the live iPhone 17 Pro discount, and curiosity about the foldable favours watching the keynote demo first.
You're a textbook upgrade candidate, but the announcement is 2 days away. Two. Just wait. You'll get the official Malaysia price for the rumoured 18 Pro and see whether the 17 Pro drops even further afterward, and then you'll have every piece of information you need. That said, if that RM3,027 off deal on the 17 Pro is calling your name right now, it's still a genuinely strong phone at what might be its lowest price ever.
Wait for official details, or compare the current 17 Pro promoThe iPhone 17 Pro series is your move, full stop, and the timing genuinely couldn't be better. Up to RM3,027 off, plus an extra RM480 rebate through Easy360 on Postpaid 5G 100 and above. This window closes the moment new models push prices up across the board. On Easy360 you're looking at RM0 upfront, 0% interest, and the rebate trimming your effective cost even further.
Buy now and take the RM3,027 off dealThe iPhone 18 Pro is reportedly moving to a triple 48MP setup across all three lenses, a real step up from the 17 Pro's mismatched resolutions. If you shoot in a lot of different conditions, that upgrade actually matters to you. Wait, confirm the camera specs live on 9 September, then pre-order with your eyes open.
Wait for iPhone 18 ProWatch the keynote before you do anything else. a speculative RM9,000 to RM11,000 is serious money for Apple's first attempt at a form factor it's never shipped before. It might be genuinely brilliant. It might have the rough edges every first-gen product has. You need to see the hinge, the screen, the crease, actually demonstrated before that price tag makes any sense. Pre-order windows stay open for days, so there's no reason to rush a decision this size.
Watch keynote first, don't commit blindThe RM3,027 off deal on the iPhone 17 Pro is a genuinely great entry point if this is your first iPhone. You get a proven, fully supported flagship at a discount, plus that extra RM480 rebate through Easy360. Or, if starting fresh on the newest hardware sounds more like you, the iPhone 18 Pro pre-order opens soon after the announcement. Neither choice here is a bad one.
Both valid: 17 Pro promo vs 18 Pro pre-orderFair enough, at that point a working phone beats a perfectly timed purchase every time. The current iPhone 17 Pro deal, up to RM3,027 off with an extra RM480 rebate through Easy360, makes right now a genuinely solid window if today is when you need this sorted.
Buy now, the deal is live todayThe iPhone 17 Pro promotion is currently available for a limited time, while the iPhone 18 lineup’s official Malaysia pricing has not been confirmed yet. Pre-orders are expected soon after the announcement, with devices reaching stores by around 19 September. Malaysia has been a first-wave launch market since 2024.
Regardless of which iPhone you choose, being on CelcomDigi Postpaid 5G 100 or above unlocks Easy360: RM0 upfront, 0% interest over 24 or 36 months, and a RM10 monthly bill rebate, so it's worth sorting your plan before the pre-order window.
One thing stays true no matter which device you land on: being on CelcomDigi Postpaid 5G 100 or above unlocks Easy360, RM0 upfront, 0% interest over 24 or 36 months, and RM10 knocked off your bill every month. Switch your plan now and you're ready for whatever happens next, the current 17 Pro promo, the pre-order window on the coming pre-order window, or anything in between.
Quick answers on whether to buy now, current promos, and what is expected to launch.
If your phone is working fine, waiting until the 9 September keynote (1:00 AM on 10 September MYT) is the smarter move. You'll have official pricing within hours. But if budget is a priority or you need a phone now, the current iPhone 17 Pro series promotion at up to RM3,027 off, with an extra RM480 rebate through Easy360, is a very compelling reason to buy today before the new models push prices up.
CelcomDigi is currently offering up to RM3,027 off the iPhone 17 Pro series, with an extra RM480 rebate available exclusively through Easy360 on qualifying Postpaid 5G 100 plans and above. This is a limited-time promotion. No end date is stated here, so check the latest CelcomDigi terms before deciding.
The iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra are expected to be announced on 9 September 2026, with Malaysian pre-orders opening soon after Apple confirms the launch window and in-store availability from approximately 19 September. The standard iPhone 18 and 18e are not expected until Spring 2027.
Yes, this happens every year. The iPhone 17 series may see pricing changes after the new lineup is announced. The current limited-time promo discount of up to RM3,027 off is a separate offer, so compare the latest live terms before deciding.
The iPhone Ultra is pointing toward a starting price of approximately speculative RM9,000–RM11,000 in Malaysia. As Apple's first-ever foldable, it's worth watching the keynote demo before committing, since first-generation devices can carry trade-offs that only become apparent when shown on stage.
The extra RM480 rebate is available exclusively through CelcomDigi's Easy360 programme on qualifying Postpaid 5G 100 plans and above, for a limited time only. You can browse the iPhone 17 Pro series and check current eligibility at celcomdigi.com/devices/apple.
