Apple could be lining up a much bolder look for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, if the latest rumours are to be believed.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is currently testing a new flagship “deep red” finish for the iPhone 18 Pro, carrying on the momentum from the current iPhone 17 Pro’s striking orange finish.
Gurman also states that the current orange colour has been extremely popular, particularly in China. If his report is true, it’s unclear whether Apple will be replacing the orange option, or adding red to the roster. For what it’s worth, Gurman marks that he wouldn’t be surprised if Apple keeps orange and adds red as an additional option.
For context, the last red iPhone was the iPhone 14 in 2022 under Apple’s (Product)Red banner, though there’s no indication this new finish would be linked to that programme – at the time of writing, Apple is no longer selling products under this initiative.
Elsewhere, there have also been rumours of purple and brown versions of the iPhone 18 Pro, though Gurman suggests those are likely just variants of the same “red idea”, rather than entirely separate colour directions.
At the risk of aging myself, I’ve always had a soft spot for brown tech, thanks to Microsoft’s Zune audio player – though I’m not sure many others would share my love for a historically rather drab hue. Still, if anyone can pull off brown tech today, it’s Apple.
The recent increase in colour options, according to Gurman, is due to the fact that the iPhone 17 Pro moved to an all-aluminium unibody design, giving the company greater flexibility when experimenting with finishes on its Pro models.
As for the rumoured iPhone Fold, its launch colours are likely to be far less flamboyant. Gurman reports that Apple plans to “stay away” from fun colours for its first foldable, instead opting for darker, more utilitarian shades – likely some variation of black or dark grey, alongside a lighter silver or white option.
The thinking, according to the report, is that limiting colours simplifies manufacturing for a first-generation product. Apple took a similar approach with the iPhone X, which launched in just two finishes, so it seems to track.
As ever, internal testing doesn’t guarantee anything will ship – companies often trial multiple colours before locking them in closer to launch, so we likely won’t know what makes the cut until nearer September.
Still, if deep red survives the process, it could give the iPhone 18 Pro one of its most striking Pro finishes in years.
