iPhone 18 Pro May Introduce a New "Dark Cherry" Color, Classic Black Option Still Absent
Multiple sources indicate that Apple is preparing a new special color for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max – a "Dark Cherry" color close to a wine red hue, which is expected to be the main new color for the 2026 Pro series. This color is described as a dark wine red with a hint of purple, rather than a bright red, and has a more restrained overall style.
According to reports, the color schemes currently being tested internally at Apple for the iPhone 18 Pro include light blue, dark cherry, dark gray, and silver. Light blue is believed to be similar to the "Mist Blue" of the current iPhone 17, and silver is also similar to the style of existing models. Supply chain sources say that these four colors are still in the development stage, and the iPhone 18 Pro has not yet entered mass production, so Apple may still adjust the color combinations before the official release, and the number of colors available at launch may not necessarily be four.
Notably, multiple media outlets and leakers have previously pointed out that Apple is testing a "dark red" or "dark cherry" body color to replace more flamboyant colors such as "Space Orange" on the iPhone 17 Pro. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed that Apple has already prototyped a "deep red" color, and the industry generally believes this is the same scheme now referred to as Dark Cherry. Related rumors also suggest that previously mentioned versions such as purple and brown are more likely to be variations of this red scheme at different stages.
In terms of color strategy, another important change for the iPhone 18 Pro series is the continued absence of a classic black version. Sources such as "Instant Digital" on Weibo claim that Apple's Pro models in 2026 will still not launch a black version, meaning the Pro series will forgo the traditional "black" option for the second consecutive year. Analysts believe this adjustment reflects Apple's recent design direction of emphasizing metallic texture and neutral tones in high-end models, while creating differentiation through annual "special colors."
Based on current rumors and supply chain information, the market generally expects that light blue, dark cherry, dark gray, and silver will constitute the main color scheme for the iPhone 18 Pro series. The dark cherry color both continues the long-awaited "red Pro" and maintains a relatively restrained overall look, which is more in line with the positioning of a high-end flagship. However, as the model has not yet entered mass production, the specific color scheme at launch remains variable, and Apple may also choose to discard one of the colors based on production yield and market feedback.