Planning to buy a new iPhone this August? You may want to wait a few more weeks.
Apple has already released a new iPhone in 2026, but the launch most people are waiting for is reportedly coming this September.
Except there’s a surprise.
The regular iPhone 18 might not be coming this year at all.
Instead, reports suggest Apple could introduce the more expensive iPhone 18 Pro models — plus its first-ever foldable iPhone — while making buyers who want the regular iPhone 18 wait until 2027.
So if you’re thinking of buying an iPhone 17, iPhone 17e or even an older model in the Philippines right now, here are the dates and deals worth watching first.
Wait, Apple already released a new iPhone in 2026
Yes.
The newest iPhone Apple has officially introduced this year is the iPhone 17e, announced on March 2, 2026.
It starts with 256GB of storage and comes with Apple’s A19 chip, a 48MP 2-in-1 camera system, MagSafe and Ceramic Shield 2. Apple announced a Philippine starting price of ₱44,990.
Think of it as the more affordable way into the current iPhone generation.
But with September approaching, buying one now becomes a little more complicated.
Because Apple may be about to change the iPhone lineup again.
The iPhone 18 is coming… but maybe not the iPhone 18 you’re expecting
This is where things get interesting.
Apple traditionally reveals its major iPhone generation around September.
Last year, Apple unveiled the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air on September 9, 2025.
Naturally, you would expect September 2026 to bring the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Current reports say otherwise.
Apple is widely rumored to be splitting its iPhone launches into two parts.
September 2026 could bring:
- iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Apple’s first foldable iPhone
Then sometime in spring 2027:
- iPhone 18
- iPhone 18e
- Next-generation iPhone Air
MacRumors reports that Apple’s September lineup is expected to focus on its more premium iPhones, with the standard iPhone 18 moving to spring 2027.
So if you’re waiting for a regular iPhone 18 to arrive next month, you could actually be waiting until next year.
Photo note: Concept / Rumored Design.
When will the iPhone 18 Pro be announced?
Apple has not officially announced its 2026 iPhone event as of August 10. Apple’s official Events page still lists its September 9, 2025 iPhone event as its most recent September iPhone launch.
Current reports are pointing toward an Apple event around September 8 or 9, 2026, although that date remains unofficial.
That would fit Apple’s familiar early-September schedule.
But there’s another question for Filipino buyers:
When will it actually arrive in the Philippines?
Philippine buyers usually have to wait a little longer
This is where last year’s pattern becomes useful.
Apple announced the iPhone 17 generation on September 9, 2025.
In the Philippines, Beyond the Box opened pre-orders beginning October 9, 2025, with units available for pickup from October 17.
Power Mac Center also held its iPhone 17 and iPhone Air midnight launch on October 17, 2025.
That puts roughly a month between Apple’s international announcement and the big Philippine retail launch.
It doesn’t guarantee the same schedule this year.
But if the pattern repeats, October 2026 is probably the month Filipino iPhone buyers should keep an eye on.
The possible timeline:
September 2026
Apple is expected to announce its next premium iPhones.
Late September to October 2026
Watch for Philippine pre-order announcements from Apple Authorized Resellers.
October 2026
A possible window for Power Mac Center, Beyond the Box and other local retailers to begin selling the new models, based on last year’s schedule.
Spring 2027
Rumored arrival of the regular iPhone 18.
Again, only Apple’s announcement will make any of these 2026 dates official.
But the bigger story could be Apple’s foldable iPhone
Forget the iPhone 18 for a second.
The most talked-about Apple device this year might be something completely different.
After years of rumors, reports now suggest Apple’s first foldable iPhone is on track to be announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro generation this September. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, as reported by The Verge, says the device remains on track for a September introduction, although initial supply could be limited.
Reports describe something closer to a small book than a traditional iPhone.
Rumored specifications include an outer display of around 5.5 inches and an inner display of around 7.8 inches. Some reports also suggest Apple could use Touch ID rather than Face ID because of the device’s thinner design.
There could even be an iPad-like interface allowing two apps to appear side by side when the phone is unfolded.
Nothing about the device’s final name, specifications or Philippine pricing has been confirmed by Apple.
But if it appears this September, this could be Apple’s biggest change to the iPhone form factor since the original model.
Apple has not officially unveiled a foldable iPhone. Images circulating online are concepts, dummy units or renders based on reported leaks.
What else is rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro?
The iPhone 18 Pro itself isn’t expected to look completely different from the current Pro lineup.
The more interesting changes may be underneath.
Current rumors include a new-generation Apple chip built using a more advanced manufacturing process, camera improvements and a smaller Dynamic Island. Reports have also repeatedly pointed to a possible variable-aperture main camera, which could give photographers greater control over how much light enters the lens.
Treat all of those as rumors for now.
Apple has confirmed none of the iPhone 18 Pro’s specifications.
And that is exactly why waiting for the official September announcement may make sense before spending on a phone today.
Should you buy an iPhone now or wait?
If you desperately need a phone now, there’s no reason to torture yourself for another month.
But if your current iPhone is working fine?
Waiting until September could be the smarter move.
Not necessarily because you should buy an iPhone 18 Pro.
It’s because a new iPhone launch can suddenly make the phones you already want more interesting.
Retailers may adjust prices.
Banks may introduce installment promotions.
Trade-in campaigns can appear.
Launch freebies can get surprisingly generous.
And older models may become a much better deal once everyone starts talking about the newest one.
We saw exactly this kind of competition during previous Philippine iPhone launches. Beyond the Box’s iPhone 17 launch, for example, included bank offers, cashback opportunities and launch incentives.
Sometimes the best time to buy last year’s iPhone is when this year’s iPhone arrives.
There are already iPhone discounts in the Philippines
You don’t necessarily have to wait until September to save.
Beyond the Box currently lists the iPhone 17e from ₱42,990, below the ₱44,990 starting price Apple announced when the phone was introduced. The retailer also currently lists discounted prices across the iPhone 17, iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro lineup.
Beyond the Box’s current promotions page advertises its Epic Deals, with savings of up to ₱20,100 on selected Apple products, plus its BTB Badges rewards program.
Power Mac Center also currently has discounted Apple devices under its Apple Offers section.
Its current in-store iPhone price list shows the 256GB iPhone 17e with a ₱48,990 retail price and a ₱44,990 cash price, alongside installment options. The iPhone 17 256GB is currently listed at ₱57,990 cash against a ₱64,990 retail price.
Power Mac Center also offers its UpTrade trade-in program and is currently advertising free nationwide shipping for purchases of at least ₱5,000 until August 31, 2026.
So there are deals.
Just not necessarily the kind that require you to type IPHONE20 into a checkout box.
Is there a Power Mac Center coupon code right now?
We checked the current publicly advertised promotions from Power Mac Center and Beyond the Box.
As of August 10, 2026, Coupon Grocer couldn’t find a publicly advertised coupon or promo code specifically giving a discount on the current iPhone 17 lineup at either retailer.
That doesn’t mean there are no savings.
The deals currently appear to come mainly through:
- Lower cash or promotional prices
- Credit card installment offers
- Bank-specific promotions
- Trade-in programs
- Retailer rewards
- Freebies
- Launch-day promotions
Beyond the Box, for example, currently advertises promotional Apple pricing valid until September 26, 2026, while Power Mac Center has current iPhone cash and installment pricing on its official price list.
So before buying, compare the final amount you’ll actually pay — not just the big “SALE” percentage on the banner.
A bank promo plus trade-in could potentially be worth more than a coupon code anyway.
The dates Filipino iPhone buyers should watch
If you’re considering an upgrade, you don’t need to memorize every leak.
Just remember this:
September 2026
This is the important one.
Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with its first foldable iPhone also reportedly coming alongside them.
October 2026
This is the month we’d watch in the Philippines.
The iPhone 17 went on Philippine pre-order on October 9 last year before its October 17 local launch through major retailers.
The timing could be different this year, but the pattern gives buyers a useful window.
Spring 2027
This is reportedly when the regular iPhone 18 could finally arrive.
Which makes the usual advice to “just wait for the iPhone 18” much more complicated this year.
So, should you wait?
If you’re choosing between buying an iPhone in August and waiting until September, I’d wait.
One month can answer several questions at once.
We’ll know what Apple is actually launching.
We’ll know whether the foldable iPhone is real.
We’ll know which iPhone 18 rumors were wrong.
And, perhaps more importantly for anyone who doesn’t need the newest model, we’ll start seeing how Philippine retailers react.
You might decide the iPhone 18 Pro is worth it.
You might decide it’s ridiculously expensive.
Or you might simply buy an iPhone 17 for less.
Either way, you’ll be making the decision with much more information than you have today.
The next iPhone deal worth waiting for might not be a coupon at all.
It could simply be September.
Coupon Grocer checked the information and publicly available offers mentioned in this article on August 10, 2026. Prices, stocks, bank promotions and retailer offers may change without notice. iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone information discussed above is based on industry reports and rumors unless otherwise stated. Apple has not officially announced its September 2026 iPhone lineup or Philippine release dates at the time of writing. Always verify current prices and promotion mechanics directly with Apple or its authorized Philippine retailers before purchasing.
