iPhone 18 Pro May Continue to Use Anodized Aluminum Alloy Coating
According to a leaker active on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Apple plans to continue using the anodized aluminum alloy coating process, first adopted in the iPhone 17 Pro, in this fall's iPhone 18 Pro, despite recent user concerns regarding its durability.
The leaker, nicknamed “Defocus Digital,” stated that paint chipping and edge degradation on the iPhone 17 Pro have become common user complaints. Users seeking after-sales support from Apple are generally told that this is an “inherent characteristic” and “normal wear and tear” of the aluminum alloy material and coating process, and therefore not covered under warranty. The leaker claims that, despite this, Apple still plans to “continue with the same design approach” for the iPhone 18 Pro, meaning the anodized aluminum alloy body will not be replaced in the short term.
Previously, the iPhone 17 Pro ended Apple’s two-generation run of using titanium alloy frames on the Pro series, switching to an integrated anodized aluminum alloy design. This change raised concerns about surface durability when the product was first launched. Shortly after launch, users photographed and posted discussions about scratches and scuffs appearing on some color models on display units, and the related topics quickly gained traction within the community.
Previous reports indicated that the deep blue and cosmic orange versions were more prone to visible scratches on the body surface. Retail store display models showed noticeable marks within days of going on sale. The YouTube channel JerryRigEverything subsequently added more details to this controversy through scratch resistance testing: the tests showed that most anodized aluminum casings could still maintain relatively good scratch resistance when faced with everyday objects such as keys and coins, but the raised edges in the camera module platform area, which were not chamfered, became a clear weakness, more prone to edge degradation and scratches.
In addition to body scratches, the cosmic orange color of the iPhone 17 Pro also exposed new problems after a month of sales. Multiple users reported that the color of the aluminum alloy frame and camera platform shifted after a period of use, gradually changing from the original hue towards rose gold or pink. Some cases eventually received a full device replacement from Apple’s official support channels.
Despite the ongoing controversy, current leaks still point to the iPhone 18 Pro continuing with the same material route and adjusting the color options. Rumors suggest that the new phone is expected to be available in four colors: dark cherry, light blue, dark gray, and silver. Dark cherry is described as a more subdued, wine-like deep red, more restrained than the previous generation’s high-saturation cosmic orange. In addition, the iPhone 18 Pro is believed to not offer a pure black option for the second consecutive year, but the dark gray version may visually approach this need.
According to current supply chain information, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still expected to be released in September 2026, alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone. If the above leaks regarding materials and coatings are ultimately confirmed, it means that Apple will continue to bet on the anodized aluminum alloy solution in the short term after weighing multiple factors such as cost, weight, heat dissipation, and texture, and may also face the ongoing challenge of addressing user feedback regarding durability experience.