With the iPhone 17 Pro series, Apple drew attention with Cosmic Orange, a vivid shade that stood apart from the more restrained colors traditionally associated with its Pro models. That finish, however, is expected to disappear from the iPhone 18 Pro generation, making way for something darker and more subdued.

That new shade is Dark Cherry, which is rumored to become the biggest visual signature of this year’s iPhone 18 Pro. The color can be imagined as a blend of red and purple, giving it a look that is both luxurious and mysterious.

Pinning down the exact appearance is not straightforward, as colors on Apple devices can look dramatically different depending on lighting conditions. Early reports described the new finish simply as dark red. Later rumors suggested wine red, purple, burgundy or brown before Dark Cherry emerged as the name mentioned most consistently.

In April, Macworld published what it said were Pantone color codes Apple was considering for the iPhone 18 Pro. It was also the first time the Dark Cherry name appeared clearly. According to that information, Apple could offer three other finishes alongside Dark Cherry: Silver, Dark Gray and a light blue.

The light blue is reportedly Pantone 2121, somewhat similar to Mist Blue on the current iPhone 17. Dark Cherry is said to use Pantone 6076 and would serve as the standout new finish. The remaining options are Dark Gray, reportedly Pantone 426C, and Silver, Pantone 427C, which is close to the silver finish on the current generation.

Dummy units of the iPhone 18 Pro have since appeared in similar colors, although their interpretation of Dark Cherry tends to lean more heavily toward pink.

If Apple does adopt Dark Cherry, the final finish could closely resemble the rumored Pantone 6076 shade, while shifting visually between red and purple depending on the light.

It is not burgundy in the traditional sense because the purple undertone appears relatively prominent. Yet it is also noticeably redder than a conventional purple. Dark Cherry could perhaps best be imagined as somewhere between red wine and ripe plum - and if Apple ultimately uses the name, it would be a fitting description.

Apple has previously experimented with distinctive iPhone colors including Lavender, Pink, Deep Purple, (Product)RED and Purple. The shade rumored for 2026, however, appears markedly different from those earlier options.

While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max came in only three colors, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to expand that selection to four. Alongside Silver and Dark Gray, buyers could also get a blue option.

iPhone Ultra may be limited to white and dark blue

In sharp contrast to the iPhone 18 Pro series, Apple is reportedly taking a much more conservative approach to color with its premium foldable iPhone, which could be marketed as the iPhone Ultra.

The expensive new device is expected to have a very limited palette. White has repeatedly appeared in leaks, potentially as a silver-infused shade, while reports about the second color have been less consistent.

Macworld previously reported that Apple could offer Silver and Indigo. The latter was described as resembling the Deep Blue finish previously seen on the iPhone 17 Pro. In May, however, Weibo leaker Instant Digital said white was the only color that had been confirmed.

By June, more dummy units had appeared alongside claims that the foldable iPhone might be sold exclusively in white.

Leaked camera accessories that surfaced in August pointed to another possibility: Apple’s foldable could come in two finishes, silver/white and a dark blue that appears almost black.

Limiting the iPhone Ultra’s color options would not be entirely surprising. The device is expected to be among the most expensive iPhones Apple has ever released, with its price potentially exceeding $2,000. At that level, Apple has reason to favor broadly appealing, relatively safe colors rather than more divisive finishes.

Although iPhone color rumors are often fairly accurate as launch approaches, leaked renders and dummy units should still be treated with caution.

Lighting, surface materials and finishing techniques can all make the final color look significantly different from leaked images. Apple’s production devices also tend to have a more refined appearance than early mockups.

So while completely inaccurate color leaks are relatively uncommon, they do happen. Last year, reports suggested the iPhone 17 Pro would be offered in black, but Apple was ultimately said to have dropped that option.

Hai Phong