There are still a good six months until the official launch of the iPhone 18 Pro. Nevertheless, the first rumors are already circulating, and they're quite something. One detail in particular is causing a stir: Apple is reportedly testing a new color called "Deep Red" internally for the iPhone 18 Pro. Anyone who has been wanting a red iPhone in the Pro line for years should start getting ready. At the same time, there's new information about the planned iPhone Fold - and it's considerably more understated when it comes to color options.
To understand why bold color options for the iPhone 18 Pro are being discussed right now, it's worth taking a brief look back. With the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple took a significant step: the company switched to a unibody aluminum casing. While this might initially sound like a purely technical detail, it has a direct impact on color options.
Previous Pro models used titanium or brushed metal with special surface coatings - a process that significantly limited the color palette. With the aluminum casing, Apple now has considerably more freedom when it comes to color options. The introduction of "Cosmic Orange" on the iPhone 17 Pro was already a sign that Apple intends to take advantage of this newfound freedom. The iPhone 18 Pro appears to be the next logical step in this development.
Apple is testing "Deep Red" for the iPhone 18 Pro
The source behind the rumors is Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, one of the industry's most respected journalists. According to his report, Apple is currently actively testing a color called "Deep Red" for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. Gurman emphasizes that red is currently the primary color being tested internally for the next iPhone Pro generation.
This is no small matter. A red iPhone Pro has never existed before. Apple last offered red iPhones in its standard line, and the last model of this kind was the iPhone 14 in 2022. Since then, Apple has not continued this color option. A "Deep Red" on the iPhone 18 Pro would therefore be a true first for the Pro line.
What will happen to "Cosmic Orange"?
This is where it gets interesting. The "Cosmic Orange" color of the iPhone 17 Pro was an unexpected success, especially in the Chinese market. According to Gurman, this color option is exceptionally popular there. This now poses a question for Apple: Should they replace orange with red, or offer both colors simultaneously?
Gurman speaks openly about this and admits that red and orange are quite close together on the color wheel. Offering both shades simultaneously would be an unusual step, as they could look too similar. Nevertheless, he doesn't rule it out. His specific statement on the matter is:
Given the success of orange, I wouldn’t be surprised if the company keeps that option around and just adds the red as an additional choice. But red and orange might be a little too close on the color wheel to have both. We’ll see how this plays out exactly, but I can at least tell you that, as of now, red is the new flagship color in testing for the next iPhone Pros.
Purple and brown? Probably just variations of the red idea
Besides "Deep Red", reports have recently circulated about possible shades like purple or brown for the iPhone 18 Pro. Gurman puts these rumors into perspective and tempers expectations: These are most likely just "variations of the same red idea". This means that Apple is internally testing different shades and variations of a red hue, and these can be named or perceived differently in early stages. Purple or brown as standalone color options are therefore unlikely.
This illustrates how Apple's internal development process works: colors go through many iterations before a final version is determined. What's currently being rumored as brown or purple could simply be called "Deep Red" tomorrow.
iPhone Fold: No unusual colors at launch
While the iPhone 18 Pro may feature a bold color accent, the picture looks quite different for the simultaneously expected iPhone Fold. Gurman reports that Apple will deliberately avoid unusual colors for the Fold. The company is said to be "staying clear" of eye-catching color options.
Instead, the plan is to launch the iPhone Fold in classic colors: likely a dark gray or black, as well as a white or light gray variant. Gurman directly compares this to the launch of the iPhone X in 2017, which also only came in two colors - while the iPhone 7, sold at the same time, was available in six different colors.
The explanation is obvious: The iPhone Fold is a completely new product format for Apple. Fewer color options significantly simplify production. Apple has frequently demonstrated this pattern in the past - with new product categories, the technical implementation takes priority initially, with color variety coming in later generations.
What is known so far - a brief overview
In summary, the current reports paint the following picture for the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Fold:
The iPhone 18 Pro is being internally tested in a color called "Deep Red", which, according to Gurman, is currently the new primary color in testing for the next Pro generation. Whether "Cosmic Orange" will continue as an additional option or be replaced by red remains to be seen. The rumors about purple and brown are likely early variations of the red color concept. The iPhone Fold, on the other hand, is expected to launch in understated, classic colors - likely black or dark gray, and white or light gray.
iPhone 18 Pro: The stage is set for a color change
The iPhone 18 Pro is slowly taking shape. "Deep Red" would be a real game-changer for the Pro line, which has so far always opted for more understated colors. The structural groundwork has already been laid with the aluminum casing of the iPhone 17 Pro. Whether red will actually be released, whether orange will remain, and what will happen to the other colors will be revealed by September. Until then, the rumor mill remains the only window into Apple's color studio. (Image: Shutterstock / Mohd Syis Zulkipli)
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