By Ashley Lu · September 2026
The front of a burgundy iPhone 18 Pro beside a rear-facing burgundy iPhone 18 Pro Max. Image: Apple.
Apple held its biggest product showcase of the year on 9 September US time — which meant a 1am start for anyone in Malaysia watching the livestream. Over roughly an hour, Apple announced its new Pro iPhones, its first foldable iPhone, updated Apple Watches and a new pair of AirPods.
For Malaysian business owners, the interesting part is not the keynote showmanship. It is the price list, the dates, and whether any of the new hardware does something your current devices cannot.
What Apple Announced
- iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max — six-point-three-inch display on the Pro, four finishes (black, silver, glacier and burgundy), and a variable aperture camera on both models.
- iPhone Duo — Apple's first folding iPhone, with a 7.6-inch inner display, IP68 dust and water resistance, and a case-plus-folio accessory with a kickstand.
- Apple Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 — new health sensors, ceramic finishes on the Series 12, a two-day battery on the Ultra 4, and a set of new "Audio Intelligence" features.
- AirPods 5 — active noise cancellation now standard, with improved audio quality; wireless charging moves to the pricier model.
- iOS 27 and watchOS 27 — the software that carries the new features, releasing 14 September.
iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone, shown front and back in star white and night sky. Image: Apple.
Malaysia Prices: The Full List
Apple Malaysia has posted ringgit pricing for everything announced on stage:
| Product | Malaysia price |
|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro (256GB) | From RM5,499 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | From RM5,999 |
| iPhone Duo (256GB – 2TB) | RM9,499 – RM15,499 |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | From RM1,799 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | From RM3,699 |
| AirPods 5 | RM599 / RM699 |
Here is the number most Malaysian buyers care about: the Pro line did not get more expensive in Malaysia. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at the same RM5,499 that Apple charged for the iPhone 17 Pro a year ago, even though Apple raised the Pro's US price by USD 100 this year. That pricing decision makes the Pro a more attractive upgrade in Malaysia than the American headlines suggest.
The real jump is at the top of the range. The folding iPhone Duo starts at RM9,499 and goes up to RM15,499 for the top storage tier — roughly RM4,000 above a 256GB iPhone 18 Pro.
Malaysia Dates You Need
- 11 September (Friday): pre-orders open for Apple Watch Series 12, Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5
- 12 September (Saturday, 8pm MYT): pre-orders open for iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
- 14 September (Monday): iOS 27 and watchOS 27 available for existing devices
- 18 September (Friday): first-wave products in stores
- 16 October (Friday, 8pm MYT): pre-orders open for the iPhone Duo
- 23 October (Friday): iPhone Duo in stores
iPhone 18 Pro in its four finishes: black, silver, glacier and burgundy. Image: Apple.
What Actually Matters for a Small Business
Should You Upgrade Now?
If you are running iPhone 15 or older devices, the iPhone 18 Pro at an unchanged Malaysian price is a reasonable upgrade, especially for camera and battery improvements that directly affect how you present your business online. If you are on an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro, the case is weaker — nothing here changes how you run daily operations.
For maximum value, remember the basics: check trade-in values for your current device, compare bank instalment plans and telco bundles, and consider buying a week or two after launch once promotional pricing appears. Businesses that plan device purchases around the tax year also get better outcomes than those buying on impulse during keynote week.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, both announced at Apple’s September event. Image: Apple.
Conclusion
Apple's September event delivered the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, a first folding iPhone Duo, refreshed Watches and AirPods 5 — with Malaysian prices starting at RM5,499 for the Pro and RM9,499 for the foldable. The most business-relevant news is simple: the Pro line's Malaysian price did not rise, and the practical upgrades are in camera control and battery life rather than flashy features.
Buy with a plan: upgrade only if your current device is holding your business back, use trade-in and instalment options, and leave the RM9,499 folding experiment to those who genuinely need a bigger screen in their pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When can Malaysians buy the iPhone 18 Pro?
Pre-orders open at 8pm Malaysia time on Saturday 12 September, and the phones reach stores on Friday 18 September. Pricing starts at RM5,499 for the iPhone 18 Pro and RM5,999 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
2. Is there a standard iPhone 18 this year?
No. Apple did not announce a base iPhone 18 at the September event, and it raised prices on the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e by up to RM1,300. Buyers wanting the cheapest new iPhone will need to look at discounted previous-generation stock instead.
3. How much is the foldable iPhone Duo in Malaysia?
The iPhone Duo starts at RM9,499 for the 256GB model and goes up to RM15,499 for the top tier. Pre-orders open 16 October at 8pm Malaysia time, with availability in stores on 23 October.
4. Should my SME buy the new iPhone for staff?
Only where the device genuinely improves the work — for example field teams that need all-day battery, or staff who photograph products and documents. For general office users, a mid-range or previous-generation iPhone remains better value, and the money is usually better spent on software or training.
5. Do I need to buy new hardware to get the new iOS features?
Not for many of them. iOS 27 and watchOS 27 release on 14 September for compatible existing devices, so some software features arrive free. Hardware-dependent capabilities — like the new camera controls or the folding screen — require the new models.
6. What should I do with my old iPhone?
Trade it in, sell it, or repurpose it. Trade-in reduces your upfront cost, and a used iPhone still makes an excellent secondary device for point-of-sale, security cameras, or a staff member who does not need the latest model.
Ashley Lu covers Apple, devices and digital marketing for SMEBuddies, translating each new product launch into what it actually means for Malaysian business owners. She has followed Apple's Malaysia pricing and launch schedules closely across recent cycles.
iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable iPhone Duo Launched: Malaysia Prices, Dates and What It Means for SMEs