Apple has opted not to include black in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup for the second consecutive year. This revelation lies beneath a more captivating update: a rich red hue is currently under consideration for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. If realized, this would mark an unprecedented introduction of red within the prestigious Pro series.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg first unearthed the details regarding the deep red finish. Further confirmation came from leaker WHYLAB on Weibo, validating that the color black will not return.
Key Points
- Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reveals that Apple is experimenting with a deep red finish for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, characterized more as a sophisticated burgundy than a vivid red.
- The absence of black persists for another year — a notable shift initiated with the iPhone 17 Pro, which marked the inaugural omission of this color in the lineup’s history.
- Prior speculations of purple and brown variants have been deemed potential iterations of the same red trend, as per Gurman’s insights — they are not separate color options.
- In contrast, the upcoming foldable iPhone—slated to debut alongside the 18 Pro—is allegedly embracing more muted finishes like space gray and silver, diverging from the bolder aesthetic of the Pro series.
- September 2026 is speculated as the launch window; however, all color specifications remain unofficial pending Apple’s announcement.
A Pro iPhone in Red Would Be a First
The iPhone Pro lineup has never embraced red. While the standard and Plus models previously featured the PRODUCT(RED) branding, this option was phased out.
The pursuit of a deep red or burgundy finish for the 18 Pro signals a substantial divergence from customary offerings, transcending mere incremental updates.
Gurman’s depiction of “burgundy” underscores a vital distinction. This is not the vibrant cherry of past PRODUCT(RED) devices; rather, it epitomizes a deeper, more refined shade that aligns with the Pro class’s elevated status, while boldly stepping beyond the recent generations’ titanium and graphite choices.
Black Is Gone Again — And That’s a Story Too
The iPhone 17 Pro heralded the departure of black from the Pro lineup, a historic first that sparked considerable discourse—Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue emerged in its stead.
The 18 Pro appears resolute in maintaining this trajectory, eschewing any return to dark color schemes.
For those yearning for black, Gurman pointed out that the forthcoming foldable iPhone is being crafted with classic space gray and silver finishes, signifying a deliberate differentiation in color styling across product categories—bold for Pro, and understated for the foldable range.
Purple and Brown Aren’t Happening
Earlier leaks had hinted at purple and brown as possible options for the iPhone 18 Pro. However, Gurman has dismissed these as likely extensions of the red concept rather than individual color proposals.
Thus, the forthcoming color narrative is streamlined to the deep red alongside any traditional options carried over from the previous 17 Pro lineup.
With September still several months away, it is anticipated that Apple will finalize color details closer to the launch date.
Source link: Gizchina.com.
