An alleged SIM card slot for the iPhone 18 Pro offers another glimpse of what is likely to be the most striking color of the upcoming generation. In the image, the component appears in a deep, wine-red hue – the Dark Cherry that has been rumored for months as the new signature color.
The image was shared by Chinese leaker Ice Universe on the platform Weibo. It shows a SIM card slot, allegedly from the yet-to-be-released iPhone. Due to the grainy quality of the image, the color is difficult to define precisely – depending on the viewing angle, it appears wine red, brownish, or with violet undertones. This snapshot thus fits into the picture of the iPhone 18 Pro's color palette, which has become increasingly clear over the past few months.
A SIM card slot in deep burgundy
The fact that Dark Cherry defies easy categorization aligns with previous descriptions. Several leakers recently described the color as a blend of burgundy, a warm brown, and a dark violet - a tone that can appear different depending on the light. This classification of Dark Cherry as a shifting, mixed color explains why the same finish can appear more vibrant or muted in different photos. The SIM card slot now revealed further supports this description.
Dark Cherry as the flagship of the vintage
Reports indicate that Apple has been testing a deep red finish for its Pro models for some time and is expected to position it as the prominently advertised special color of the year. A similar role was recently played by the striking Cosmic Orange of the iPhone 17 Pro, which garnered significant attention. With Dark Cherry, Apple would continue this trend, but with a considerably more understated and elegant tone.
Three other colors, but no black
In addition to Dark Cherry, three other options are reportedly planned: a light blue, a dark gray, and a silver that matches the current silver tone. This means that four colors are considered likely for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, whose Pantone values have already circulated and which also appeared in the first leaked dummy models.
What remains striking is what's missing: When a user in the same Weibo thread asked whether the iPhone 18 Pro would be released in black, Ice Universe simply replied "No." It wouldn't be the first time a true black has been ruled out for this year's Pro series – dark gray is expected to take its place.
The color palette is taking shape
Nothing is confirmed until the official unveiling, and Apple has a history of making last-minute adjustments to colors just before launch. However, as the expected September release date approaches - along with Apple's first foldable iPhone - the evidence is mounting. The burgundy SIM tray isn't a groundbreaking design in itself, but it's another small piece of the puzzle supporting the existing color lore. (Image: Shutterstock / Jess Rodriguez)
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