iPhone 18 Pro deep red colour option likely as Android prototypes surface in the same shade: tipster
Apple’s next Pro iPhone could arrive in a deep red finish, and in an ironical twist, the signal is coming as much from Android prototypes as from Apple-centric leaks. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had earlier reported that Apple is testing a deep red colour for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with other rumoured shades like purple and brown likely being variations of the same idea. Now, Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station says there is a high likelihood of that colour making it to market, not just because Apple is testing it, but because the same shade has already been spotted in prototypes of next-generation Android phones.
The logic is hard to miss. Android brands have a history of quickly adopting Apple’s standout finishes once they land. Seeing the colour appear early on the Android side is being seen as a sign that Apple’s direction is already filtering through.
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Apple has built a consistent cycle around Pro iPhone colours, introducing a new signature finish each year. From Pacific Blue and Deep Purple to Desert Titanium and last year’s Cosmic Orange on the iPhone 17 Pro, these colours often end up influencing the broader market. Cosmic Orange is the latest example. Within months of its launch, the same shade appeared across Android devices from Honor and Infinix. The names changed, but the colour didn’t. That context gives more weight to the current leak. The presence of deep red in Android prototypes is being interpreted as a preview of what Apple is likely to ship.
There are also indications that Apple may drop black from the Pro lineup this year, according to another leaker, Instant Digital. If that holds, it would be the second consecutive year without a standard black option.
iPhone 18 Pro models could bring more than just a colour change
Beyond the finish, early leaks suggest Apple is testing under-display Face ID for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. There’s some disagreement on how far that transition goes, with several sources pointing to a smaller Dynamic Island rather than its removal. Images shared by accounts like Ice Universe and earlyappleleaks show what appears to be a narrower cutout.
Reports also suggest Apple may adjust its release cycle, with Pro models expected as usual in the Fall 2026 event, while the standard models could actually arrive in Spring next year, when it’s usually time for Apple to launch the low-cost ‘e’ model.
For buyers, colour will be the most visible change at launch, but also the quickest to spread. If the deep red finish does arrive, it’s unlikely to remain unique for long. This is still early-stage information, so it may not be enough to base a purchase decision on. However, those interested in design changes or upcoming features like under-display Face ID may find it worth waiting for the next cycle.
