Apple is expected to refresh the colour palette for its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series. Last year, Apple launched its most ambitious Cosmic Orange for the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. This time, Apple might be shifting to more refined colours for the iPhone 18 Pro with a rumoured ‘Dark Cherry,’ which could be a fan favourite. Images allegedly showing the metal frames of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max have surfaced online, offering an early look at the Dark Cherry colour alongside Cloud Blue and Black.
iPhone 18 Pro Max colour options
The latest leak aligns with earlier reports suggesting the company was working on a deep red finish for its next-generation Pro models. If accurate, the colour could become the flagship shade for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, much like Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Sierra Blue did for previous generations.
Apple’s Pro iPhones have traditionally favoured muted and understated finishes. Shades such as Graphite, Space Black, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium have appealed to buyers looking for a premium, professional aesthetic rather than flashy colours. The rumoured Dark Cherry finish could signal a slight shift in strategy.
Based on the leaked frame, the colour appears closer to a deep wine red than a bright crimson, maintaining the premium feel associated with the Pro lineup while offering something more distinctive than the neutral tones Apple has relied on in recent years.
Cloud Blue is arguably even more interesting. The shade appears brighter than Apple’s traditional Pro colours but remains more saturated than the pale blue finish seen on the MacBook Air. If the final product matches the leak, it could become one of the most eye-catching Pro iPhone colours Apple has introduced since the popular Sierra Blue iPhone 13 Pro. The third leaked option is a classic black finish, which is almost certain to remain part of the lineup due to its enduring popularity among professional buyers.
The leaked colours could play an important role in giving the iPhone 18 Pro series a stronger visual identity, particularly if Apple is planning a relatively familiar design elsewhere.
iPhone 18 Pro series launch timeline
Current rumours suggest Apple will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a new iPhone Ultra model during its traditional September launch window. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are reportedly being pushed to a spring launch next year as part of Apple’s evolving release strategy.
For users currently holding an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, or newer model, colour alone is unlikely to justify an upgrade. However, buyers planning to purchase a new premium smartphone later this year may want to hold off until Apple’s September event before making a decision.
