iPhone 18 Pro Colors: Dark Cherry, Blue, Silver and More Rumors

Apple's next iPhone launch is getting closer, and color is turning out to be one of the more interesting parts of the story. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are rumored to get a striking new shade, while Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to stick with a much more conservative palette.

That means the Pro models could be the more colorful devices this year, while the much more expensive foldable takes the safer route. Here is what the latest leaks suggest about Apple's 2026 iPhone colors.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max colors

Apple introduced Cosmic Orange with the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, giving its premium phones a noticeably bolder look than previous generations. For 2026, the company is reportedly replacing that bright finish with something darker and more understated.

The rumored headline shade is called Dark Cherry, and it appears to sit somewhere between deep red and purple. Depending on the lighting, it could look warmer or more violet, giving the finish a different appearance from one angle to another.

What will Dark Cherry actually look like?

Early reports described the new Pro color simply as a deep red, while later rumors mentioned possibilities including burgundy, purple, and brown. More specific reports eventually pointed to the name Dark Cherry, along with an alleged Pantone shade.

The color is expected to fall somewhere between wine, plum, and dark red rather than looking like a traditional maroon. That could make it one of Apple's most distinctive Pro finishes yet, particularly since the company has rarely used this particular combination of red and purple tones.

The other rumored iPhone 18 Pro colors are Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. Light Blue is expected to resemble the Mist Blue shade used on the iPhone 17, while Dark Gray and Silver would provide more familiar choices.

Apple could also change the back of the iPhone 18 Pro

Color may not be the only visual change coming to the Pro models. Apple is reportedly planning to reduce the contrast between the rear glass and aluminum frame, creating a more consistent color across the back of the phone.

The iPhone 17 Pro introduced a more obvious two-tone appearance, with the glass and aluminum looking noticeably different. The iPhone 18 Pro could soften that contrast, giving the rear a cleaner and more unified finish.

That change could also affect how the rumored Dark Cherry color looks in person. Rather than having separate shades across different materials, Apple may aim for a more cohesive appearance from the frame to the glass panel.

Could the Dark Cherry color replace Cosmic Orange?

It certainly looks possible.

Cosmic Orange was one of the most recognizable finishes on the iPhone 17 Pro, but Apple has previously changed its signature Pro color from one generation to the next. Dark Cherry would maintain the idea of a bold launch shade while giving it a more sophisticated and subdued character.

The exact appearance will also depend on Apple's final materials and finish. Dummy phones and renders can look noticeably different from finished iPhones, so the final Dark Cherry shade could appear richer or more vibrant once the real device is available.

What colors will the iPhone Ultra have?

Apple's first foldable iPhone, which may be called the iPhone Ultra, is expected to take a very different approach.

Current reports suggest a much smaller color selection, with white or silver appearing repeatedly in leaks. A second shade could be a deep blue that is dark enough to appear almost black under certain lighting conditions.

That conservative approach would make sense for a device expected to cost more than $2,000. Apple may want colors with broader appeal rather than taking the same risks it is reportedly willing to take with the iPhone 18 Pro.

Foldable iPhone color leaks are still inconsistent

There have been several different reports about the foldable's final colors. Some sources have pointed to silver and indigo, while others have suggested that white could be the only confirmed option.

More recent accessory leaks appear to show a light silver or white finish alongside a very dark blue shade. Because these images come from third-party accessories and dummy units, the final colors could still be somewhat different.

Apple's history suggests the overall palette is likely to be accurate, but the exact tone is harder to predict until the company officially reveals the device.

Color rumors are not always perfect

Apple's leaked colors are often surprisingly close to the final products, but there are exceptions.

Dummy models and renders can make finishes look duller, darker, or more saturated than the retail version because the materials are different. The iPhone 17 Pro's Cosmic Orange, for example, looked much less vibrant in some early mockups than it did on the final phone.

That means Dark Cherry should be treated as a strong indication of Apple's direction rather than an exact representation of the finished color.

What about the standard iPhone 18?

The regular iPhone 18 is not expected to launch alongside the Pro models this fall. Apple is reportedly delaying it until spring 2027, so there is still very little reliable information about its color lineup.

The current iPhone 17 comes in five finishes, including black, white, and several softer pastel options. Apple has also moved between muted and more saturated palettes across different generations, so the iPhone 18 could follow either approach.

The standard model is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2, which means Apple may have several new devices to coordinate across the spring lineup.

Prepare your phone before upgrading

New iPhone colors may be one of the fun parts of an upgrade, but switching phones also means dealing with everything stored on your current device. Years of photos, videos, contacts, and documents can quickly turn setup into a much bigger job than expected.

Smart Transfer can help make that transition easier by providing a straightforward way to transfer personal content to your new phone. A smart mobile transfer app can be particularly useful when you want to organize your files first and then move the content you actually want to keep.

Cleaning up your current phone before the upgrade can also make a difference. Once unnecessary screenshots, duplicate photos, and old files are removed, you can copy data that matters without filling your new iPhone with years of digital clutter.

When will Apple announce the new colors?

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, with the event currently expected during the week of September 9. Pre-orders could follow shortly afterward, with a retail launch reportedly planned for September 18.

Until Apple makes the announcement, the exact colors remain unconfirmed. Still, Dark Cherry looks increasingly likely to become the signature shade of the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, while the foldable iPhone appears set to take a more restrained approach.

The final question is simple: would you choose Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Silver, or the rumored Dark Gray?