Apple is testing a new “deep red” finish for the iPhone 18 Pro, and if it makes the final cut, it would mark the first time in years that a true red option lands on a Pro model. At the same time, the company plans to keep things simple with the upcoming iPhone Fold by avoiding flashy shades and sticking to classic tones.
The iPhone 18 Pro remains months away, yet early details already point to a noticeable shift in Apple’s color strategy. After moving to an all-aluminum unibody design with the previous Pro generation, Apple gained more flexibility with finishes. That design change now opens the door for bolder colors at the high end.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is actively testing a new deep red color as the “new flagship color” for the next iPhone Pro lineup.
“As of now, red is the new flagship color in testing for the next iPhone Pros.”
iPhone 18 Pro could add deep red
Gurman reports that the current Cosmic Orange option has performed strongly, especially in China. Because of that success, Apple faces a decision. It can keep orange and add red, or it can replace orange to avoid offering two similar tones.
He notes that red and orange sit close on the color wheel, which makes offering both slightly complicated. Still, given how well Cosmic Orange has resonated, Apple may decide to expand the lineup instead of trimming it. If that happens, buyers would get both a bright orange and a darker red finish on the Pro models.
There have also been rumors about purple and brown variants. However, Gurman suggests those shades likely represent “probably just variants of the same red idea,” rather than completely new directions.
For users who missed the last red iPhone, which Apple discontinued after the iPhone 14 era, this move would feel overdue. A red Pro model has remained a common request for years.
No bold colors for iPhone Fold
While the Pro line experiments with deep red, the iPhone Fold appears headed in the opposite direction. Gurman says Apple plans to “stay away from fun colors and stick to the more utilitarian hues” for its first foldable device.
That means you should expect:
- Dark gray or black
- White or light silver
Apple reportedly wants to simplify manufacturing for its first foldable iPhone, and limiting color options helps streamline production. The company followed a similar path with the iPhone X, which launched in just two colors compared to the wider palette of the iPhone 7.
For now, Apple continues testing finishes behind the scenes. If development stays on schedule, we will see how the deep red Pro and the more restrained iPhone Fold lineup come together in September.
