iPhone 18 Pro colours: Apple testing deep red finish for 2026 models

After the buzz around Cosmic Orange, Apple may be ready to paint the town red.

The company is testing a new deep red colour for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The shade is said to be currently being evaluated as the potential flagship finish for the 2026 Pro lineup and could replace this year’s headline orange variant.

The move comes after the strong response to the Cosmic Orange finish on the iPhone 17 Pro series.


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"The colour has also apparently been a strong driver of interest in the all-important China market, with some there comparing it to the classic Hermes orange hue. The two orange shades are actually quite different, but Apple should probably take the perceived resemblance as a compliment," Gurman noted.

According to him, red is now the “new flagship colour in testing” for the iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple could retain the orange option given its popularity, but red and orange sit close on the colour spectrum, making it unlikely that both will feature together in the final lineup.

There have also been rumours of purple and brown finishes for the iPhone 18 Pro. However, Gurman believes those shades could simply be tonal variations of the same red concept currently under evaluation.

If Apple finalises the deep red option, it would mark another bold shift for the Pro lineup, which has historically leaned toward muted tones such as graphite, silver and deep blue.

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Foldable iPhone to get classic, muted colours

As for Apple’s rumoured foldable iPhone, Gurman said the company plans to stick with more utilitarian finishes. Instead of bold colours, the foldable model is expected to launch in darker, classic shades likely dark grey or black, along with a white or light silver variant.

The strategy appears aimed at positioning the foldable as a premium, productivity-focused device rather than a fashion-forward statement piece.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 lineup in September. Until then, the final colour choices remain subject to change as testing continues.