Apple’s next big iPhone has already been spotted in the wild, at least in colour. Fresh leaks from Chinese social media have exposed the full shade lineup for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and one bold new finish called Dark Cherry is stealing every spotlight. The wine-inspired red could become Apple’s most talked-about colour in years.
Dark Cherry Steals The Spotlight In Fresh Leak
The signature shade for Apple’s 2026 Pro lineup will reportedly be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-toned red replacing last year’s vibrant Cosmic Orange. The leak first surfaced through Macworld’s supply chain source and was later backed by camera cover images shared by Chinese leaker Ice Universe on Weibo.
Weibo leaker Instant Digital, who correctly leaked the yellow iPhone 14 colour years ago, has described the new shade as a rich mix of burgundy, coffee, and deep purple. That combination gives it a luxurious, almost vintage tone unlike anything Apple has shipped before.
Industry sources say the colour matches Pantone 6076. The hue is not bright or playful but feels mature and premium, lining up with current fashion trends leaning toward darker reds.
Full iPhone 18 Pro Colour Lineup Revealed
According to supply chain reports, Apple is testing four Pantone-coded finishes for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The palette balances familiar tones with one striking new option.
Here is the rumoured iPhone 18 Pro colour breakdown:
| Colour | Pantone Code | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Cherry | 6076 | Deep wine red, signature shade |
| Light Blue | 2121 | Soft tone, similar to Mist Blue iPhone 17 |
| Dark Grey | 426 | Near-black, classic and understated |
| Silver | 427 | Bright, timeless Apple staple |
The leaked camera plates posted by Ice Universe match all four shades almost exactly. While the plates themselves are third-party accessories and not Apple parts, they line up perfectly with the internal Pantone references.
Reactions on X, Reddit, and Weibo have been mostly positive. Many fans say Dark Cherry feels more grown-up than Cosmic Orange.
Apple Skips Black Again For Second Year Running
For the second straight year, the iPhone Pro lineup will skip the classic black finish. Apple appears to be doubling down on giving each Pro generation its own unique colour identity.
This continues a recent pattern that started with Desert Titanium on the iPhone 16 Pro and Cosmic Orange on the iPhone 17 Pro. Each year, Apple now picks one bold signature colour to define the flagship.
For traditional buyers, the Dark Grey option offers a similar near-black look. But pure black, it seems, is no longer part of the Pro identity.
Big Internal Upgrades Hide Behind The New Paint Job
The iPhone 18 Pro is not just about looks. Reports point to a major leap in performance, photography, and design under the hood.
Key upgrades expected this year include:
- A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s first 2nm process, promising up to 15% faster speeds and 30% better efficiency
- 48MP variable aperture main camera, an iPhone first, giving manual control over light and depth of field
- Smaller Dynamic Island with some Face ID sensors moving under the display, said to be roughly 35% narrower
- C2 modem and N2 wireless chip for faster, more efficient connectivity
- Bigger battery of around 5,100 to 5,200 mAh on the Pro Max, the largest ever in an iPhone
- Redesigned Ceramic Shield rear with a more seamless, frosted MagSafe area
The camera plateau looks similar to the iPhone 17 Pro but slightly thicker to fit the new variable aperture system. Apple has reportedly started ramping up its supply chain for this mechanical iris, with production already underway.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has also confirmed that the foldable iPhone, now rumoured to be called the iPhone Ultra, will launch alongside the Pro models in September.
Launch Date, Price And What To Expect Next
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to be unveiled in early September 2026, with insiders pointing to a possible September 9 keynote. Pre-orders could open on September 11, with sales kicking off around September 18.
Pricing is expected to remain steady. Analyst Jeff Pu predicts Apple will keep the iPhone 18 Pro starting price at around $1,099 and the Pro Max at $1,199, matching the current generation despite higher 2nm chip costs.
In India, the iPhone 18 Pro could start near ₹1,20,000 while the Pro Max may begin around ₹1,40,000. Apple is reportedly absorbing part of the rising component cost to gain market share.
For the first time in years, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will not arrive alongside the Pro models. Both are now pushed to spring 2027, leaving the Pro lineup and the foldable iPhone Ultra as the only new iPhones this fall.
One important reminder: Apple has not entered mass production yet. That means any of these four shades could still be tweaked or dropped before the official reveal.
While nothing is set in stone, the sheer volume of matching leaks suggests Apple’s plans are nearly locked. The Dark Cherry finish, in particular, has already become the leak that fans cannot stop talking about. If the Pro line truly lands in that wine-red glow this September, Apple may have crafted the most desirable iPhone colour since the iconic gold iPhone 5s. Which shade would land in your pocket? Drop your pick in the comments and join the conversation on social media using #iPhone18Pro and #DarkCherry.
