Apple is replacing Cosmic Orange. The iPhone 18 Pro is getting a new signature color this year, and it is called Dark Cherry. A source familiar with Apple’s supply chain leaked the full color lineup to Macworld this week, complete with internal Pantone codes. This is not a rumor built on guesswork. The supply chain rarely lies this close to production.
Dark Cherry Is Not What You Are Picturing
Forget bright red. Dark Cherry sits at Pantone 6076, which is a deep, wine-toned red with burgundy undertones. Think red wine in a glass, not a sports car. Apple went bold with Cosmic Orange last year on the iPhone 17 Pro. This year the brand is pulling back toward something more premium and reserved. Dark Cherry is designed to look expensive, not loud.
This is also a significant moment for the Pro lineup. Dark Cherry would mark the first time Apple has ever offered a red-toned finish on an iPhone Pro model. The standard iPhone has had Product Red variants for years, but the Pro line has stayed away from red entirely until now.
Full iPhone 18 Pro Color Lineup for 2026
According to the leak, Apple is internally testing four colors for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Each one has a confirmed Pantone reference:
- Dark Cherry (Pantone 6076) – the headline new color, deep wine red
- Light Blue (Pantone 2121) – similar to the Mist Blue on the base iPhone 17
- Dark Gray (Pantone 426C) – a darker neutral returning to the Pro lineup
- Silver (Pantone 427C) – close to the current iPhone 17 Pro silver
Cosmic Orange is out. Apple is discontinuing it along with the rest of the current Pro color lineup. The source is clear on that point.
One important caveat: the iPhone 18 Pro has not entered mass production yet. Apple still has time to swap or drop a color before launch. Last year, leaked reports suggested a black and steel gray option for the iPhone 17 Pro. Neither made it to shelves. So treat these four colors as very likely, not guaranteed.
Small Design Changes Coming Too
The supply chain source also shared CAD drawings of the iPhone 18 Pro. The overall design stays close to the iPhone 17 Pro, but two changes stand out.
First, the Dynamic Island is getting smaller. That means more usable screen space when Live Activities are not running. Second, the gap between the rear glass cutout and the camera bump appears slightly reduced in at least one render. A Weibo leaker called Instant Digital had previously reported that Apple was developing a new manufacturing process to better match the glass and aluminum frame colors. These two changes may be connected.
The source could not confirm whether the tighter camera gap reflects a finalized design decision or an older prototype render.
What Else Is Changing Inside the iPhone 18 Pro
Color is not the only story here. The iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to be a meaningful upgrade under the hood as well.
The biggest camera news has nothing to do with megapixels. Apple is bringing a variable aperture system to the iPhone 18 Pro’s main 48MP lens. This is the first time any iPhone has had a mechanical aperture, something DSLR and mirrorless cameras have offered for decades. It means users will get real control over depth of field and low-light exposure rather than relying entirely on software to fake it. MacRumors confirmed on April 16 that variable aperture components are already in production, which puts this firmly in the “happening” category.
Powering everything is the A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC’s 2nm process. That is a jump from the 3nm A19 Pro inside the current iPhone 17 Pro. Early analyst estimates point to around 15% faster CPU performance and significantly better power efficiency. Display sizes are staying put at 6.3 inches for the Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max.
One more thing worth flagging: black is not coming back. Weibo leaker Instant Digital, who has a reliable track record on Apple color details, says no black option is planned for the iPhone 18 Pro. If accurate, that makes two years in a row Apple has skipped its most classic Pro color. Dark Gray is the closest alternative in the current leaked lineup.
What About the Foldable iPhone?
Apple is planning to launch a foldable iPhone alongside the Pro models in September 2026. It is currently referred to as the iPhone Ultra in most leak reports. When unfolded, it looks like an iPad mini. At just 4.7mm thick when open, it would be thinner than the 5.6mm iPhone Air.
The foldable is not getting the bold color treatment. Apple is keeping it conservative with only two options: a classic silver and white finish, and an Indigo shade similar to the Deep Blue on the iPhone 17 Pro. No Dark Cherry, no Light Blue. The foldable is clearly being positioned as a serious device, not a fashion statement.
The iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air are expected separately in the first half of 2027, so they are not part of this September drop.
Why Dark Cherry Makes Sense for Apple Right Now
Cosmic Orange worked because it was unexpected. It proved Apple could do bold on the Pro line. Dark Cherry is the next step. It is bold enough to be a talking point but refined enough that it does not feel out of place in a boardroom or at a restaurant. Apple knows its Pro buyers skew toward people who want their phone to signal taste, not just color.
The matte titanium frame will likely give Dark Cherry a near-velvet appearance in person. Real-world lighting will be the real test, and that will not happen until September.
