Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max may skip black – here’s what could replace it

Apple’s next flagship lineup is still months away, but fresh leaks suggest the Apple iPhone 18 pro max could arrive without a classic color choice, and that’s already stirring debate among fans. Rumors surrounding the Apple iPhone 18 pro max and its sibling models have intensified ahead of a likely September 2026 launch. The upcoming series, expected to include the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max, may once again skip the black color option for the Pro variants.

Apple iPhone 18 pro max may skip black color again

According to an Apple leaker known as Instant Digital on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Apple has no plans to release a black iPhone 18 Pro. The tipster has previously shared accurate information about Apple devices. If accurate, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max would mark the second consecutive year Apple has skipped a black finish for its premium models.


Last year, Apple surprised users by launching the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in silver, deep blue, and cosmic orange, without a standard black option.

Why Apple may avoid black for Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Material choices may be responsible for the absence of black in the iPhone 18 Pro Max, according to reports. The iPhone 17 Pro lineup used anodized aluminum instead of titanium, which proved scratch-prone. Darker shades made scratches more visible, leading to what many dubbed “scratchgate,” according to Mashable. If Apple continues to use similar materials, the iPhone 18 Pro Max may again avoid darker finishes.

New colors rumored for Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Meanwhile, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg previously reported that Apple is working on a “Deep Red” color for the upcoming Pro models. This would mark the first red-toned premium iPhone since the iPhone 14 included a red variant under the (PRODUCT)RED lineup.

If introduced, the Deep Red shade could become a headline feature for the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max even without the black option.

Black may still come to base model

Reports suggest that the standard iPhone 18 could still be available in black for users who prefer that color. Additionally, Apple’s rumored foldable device, often referred to as the iPhone Fold, may stick to traditional tones such as space gray and black.

Beyond colors, leaks indicate the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max may retain a design similar to the current generation but include changes to Dynamic Island, along with a new chipset and software upgrades. However, these are all rumors; the company could still revise the final color lineup before unveiling the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max later this year.