Apple plans to retire the Cosmic Orange color from its iPhone 17 Pro lineup and introduce a deeper, wine-like Dark Cherry shade for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models in 2026, while keeping color options strictly limited for its anticipated foldable iPhone Ultra.
As Apple prepares for its upcoming new device launches, color choices for the flagship smartphone lineup have emerged as a primary focus for observers. With the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max expected to arrive in September 2026, the company is moving away from the vibrant aesthetic of the previous generation to embrace a moodier palette.
Dark Cherry Replacing Cosmic Orange on the iPhone 18 Pro
Apple introduced a bold, standout shade called Cosmic Orange with the iPhone 17 Pro series. That high-visibility look is now on its way out. In its place, the company is rolling out a striking signature color known as Dark Cherry, which serves as a deep, wine-like red.
While early supply-chain chatter pointed toward a generic dark red or burgundy option, insider details obtained by Macworld clarify that Apple specifically developed the Dark Cherry finish. The hue functions as a cross between red and purple, resembling a plum or rich wine rather than a true purple or maroon. Because mobile device finishes react dynamically to changing environmental lighting, the shade can shift in appearance, appearing redder in some conditions and more violet in others.
Light Blue, Silver, and Dark Gray Round Out the Pro Lineup
Beyond the headline-grabbing Dark Cherry finish, the wider Pro color selection is expanding from three options to four. Alongside silver and dark gray variants, Apple is introducing a light blue option. This incoming blue resembles the Mist Blue color found on the base iPhone 17, though styled with higher saturation and less competing red or green tone than past iterations.
Material design changes are also underway beneath the surface finish. While iPhone 17 Pro models featured a noticeable two-tone contrast between the glass back panel and the aluminum frame, current indicators suggest Apple is working to minimize that discrepancy for the iPhone 18 Pro. The goal is a more unified appearance where the glass and frame blend more seamlessly together.
Limited Finishes for the Foldable iPhone Ultra
While traditional Pro buyers gain distinct aesthetic choices, Apple is taking a conservative approach with its foldable device, expected to carry the iPhone Ultra moniker. Featuring an ultra-thin 4.7mm profile and a projected price tag climbing upwards of $2,000, the device is slated for a much more restricted palette.
Leak reports regarding the foldable device point primarily toward white or silver finishes, supplemented by a dark blue option that borders on black. Observers note that limiting eccentric colorways on a device with a narrower addressable market and a luxury price point aligns with traditional hardware rollout strategies.
