The iPhone 18 Pro officially landed in Malaysia today (18 September), and Malaysians wasted no time getting their hands on it.
Apple fans were already lining up outside Apple Store TRX before sunrise, with the first person arriving at around 4.30am.
But besides wanting to be among the first to own Apple’s latest flagship, there may be another reason behind the excitement.
Malaysia is now the cheapest place in Southeast Asia to buy the iPhone 18 Pro.
Cheapest in Southeast Asia, fourth cheapest globally
According to VnExpress, the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro is priced at RM5,499, or around US$1,351, in Malaysia.
That makes Malaysia the second cheapest market in Asia after Hong Kong, where the same model costs around RM5,450 or US$1,339.
Globally, Malaysia comes in fourth.
Only the United States, Canada and Hong Kong offer the phone at a lower price. The UAE rounds out the global top five.
Here is how the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro compares:
| Country | Approximate price in RM | Price in USD |
|---|---|---|
| United States | RM4,880 | US$1,199 |
| Canada | RM5,414 | US$1,330 |
| Hong Kong | RM5,450 | US$1,339 |
| Malaysia | RM5,499 | US$1,351 |
| UAE | RM5,650 | US$1,388 |
| Thailand | RM5,975 | US$1,468 |
Prices converted to ringgit are approximate and may change depending on exchange rates.
Meanwhile, Thailand is the second cheapest market in Southeast Asia and the ninth cheapest globally.
The 256GB model costs around RM5,975 or US$1,468 there, based on data from a Japanese price comparison website.
Malaysia also offers one of the lowest prices for the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Its 256GB version costs RM5,999 locally, placing Malaysia fourth globally behind the US, Canada and Hong Kong.
It is still cheaper than the UAE, where the same model costs approximately RM6,093.
The starting price remains unchanged
If the RM5,499 price tag sounds familiar, that is because Apple did not increase the starting price this year.
In Malaysia, the iPhone 18 Pro is priced at:
- 256GB: RM5,499
- 512GB: RM6,499
- 1TB: RM8,499
- 2TB: RM11,499
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is priced at:
- 256GB: RM5,999
- 512GB: RM6,999
- 1TB: RM8,999
- 2TB: RM11,999
The good news for anyone considering the lower storage options is that the 256GB and 512GB models retain the same prices as last year’s iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max.
However, buyers looking at the higher storage options will need to pay more.
The 1TB models are RM1,000 more expensive than their predecessors, while the new 2TB versions cost RM2,000 more.
Apple also increased the Malaysian prices of several older models following the launch, including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e. Most variants went up by RM300.
First in line arrived at 4.30am
So, how early would you wake up for a new iPhone?
For one Malaysian, the answer was simple. He did not sleep at all.
James, a 25-year-old from Selangor, became the first person in line at Apple Store TRX after arriving at around 4.30am.
He told WeirdKaya that he had been using his iPhone 11 for about seven years and decided it was finally time for an upgrade.
James purchased a black iPhone 18 Pro Max and said he was most excited to try its Apple Intelligence features, the new Siri AI and the upgraded camera.
Apple Store TRX opened its doors at 8am, with separate queues prepared for customers collecting pre-orders and those hoping to make a walk-in purchase.
Interestingly, the first customer in the walk-in queue was a visitor from Uzbekistan.
What is new on the iPhone 18 Pro?
Of course, the lower regional price is only part of the attraction.
Both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip, which is built using a 2nm process.
According to Apple, the new GPU is up to 40% faster than before.
One of the biggest upgrades is the new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture. This allows the camera to adjust how much light reaches the sensor while giving users greater control over the depth of field.
Both models are available in four colours: Burgundy, Glacier, Silver and Black.
If paying RM5,499 in one go feels a little painful, the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro is also available from RM229.13 per month over 24 months.
And for those waiting for something even fancier, Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, will arrive in Malaysia on 23 October 2026.
Pre-orders will open at 8pm on 16 October.
Would you wake up before sunrise to be among the first to get the new iPhone? Let us know in the comments.
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25yo M’sian Is 1st In Line At Apple Store TRX From 4.30am For iPhone 18 Pro Launch
