Cupertino, California, April 17, 2026, 08:42 PDT
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could arrive in a subtle “Dark Cherry” color, joining light blue, dark gray, and silver, Macworld reports. MacRumors flagged the same supply-chain leak on Friday. Other than a shrunken Dynamic Island, there aren’t many visible updates expected. Macworld
The timing is key here: Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup is shaping up to emphasize premium. Back in January, Reuters, referencing Nikkei Asia, noted Apple was focusing on the Pro, Pro Max, and its first-ever foldable iPhone for the latter half of 2026. This week, 9to5Mac flagged the uncertainty around whether a refreshed iPhone Air will land in that fall wave or be bumped to 2027.
This time around, minor tweaks to finish and feel matter more, since there’s no major overhaul. Back in January, Reuters quoted CEO Tim Cook calling demand for Apple’s latest phones “staggering.” On Friday, Reuters added that iPhone shipments in China jumped 20% in the first quarter, even though the market as a whole contracted. “As most rivals raise prices, Apple stands out for value, with Chinese consumers knowing its products last at least three years,” said Ivan Lam, senior analyst at Counterpoint.
A source with knowledge of Apple’s supply chain told Macworld the company is looking at internal Pantone color references for four shades: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. According to MacRumors, if Apple follows through, the subdued red would mark the first time a red finish appears on an iPhone Pro—swapping out the current Cosmic Orange for a hue that’s more burgundy than flashy red.
Hardware tweaks remain incremental. According to 9to5Mac, the device will mostly stick with the iPhone 17 Pro’s design, only this time the Dynamic Island shrinks. Expect that pill-shaped cutout and the software strip up top, plus a tighter fit where the rear glass meets the camera bump. Forbes, on its end, flagged the same leak, noting updates on both faces of the phone.
According to Macworld, Apple’s debut foldable iPhone—often labeled the iPhone Ultra in rumor mills—might launch with a slimmer color palette: white, silver, and indigo are mentioned. The unfolded device could be just 4.7 millimeters thick. Last week, Bloomberg said the foldable is still expected to be introduced in September with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, but cautioned the schedule isn’t locked in yet.
If that pans out, Apple would enter a foldable market currently dominated by Samsung Electronics and Huawei. TrendForce this week projected Apple might capture close to 20% of the market in 2026, with Samsung and Huawei each shrinking to around 30% share.
The risks are clear enough. Macworld notes colors remain in development, with mass production yet to start — and one option might still get cut. Last week, Reuters cited Nikkei Asia, which pointed to engineering issues with the foldable. In the worst scenario, those problems could push shipments back by months.
Nothing is confirmed, and Apple tends not to finalize its fall hardware lineup this far out. Yet recent reports now suggest the 2026 iPhone lineup won’t be a total overhaul. Instead, sources point to a fresh premium tier: the debut of a red-hued Pro, a thinner screen cutout, and a foldable model likely to steal the show.
