Apple may finally be ready to move away from the conservative color palette that has defined its Pro iPhones for years. Newly leaked dummy units for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup reveal several fresh finishes, with the standout option easily being a new Dark Cherry Red variant that gives the device a far more expressive look than the usual graphite or titanium shades.
The leaked images showcase internal frames and dummy shells in multiple finishes, including Dark Cherry Red, Light Blue, black and silver. While the overall industrial design remains largely unchanged from the current generation, Apple appears to be putting more emphasis on visual identity and trendier aesthetics for its 2026 flagship lineup.
The Dark Cherry finish is especially striking. It feels more premium and mature than previous PRODUCT(RED) devices, leaning closer to luxury automotive paint finishes than flashy smartphone colors. Meanwhile, the new Light Blue option introduces a softer and more lifestyle-oriented tone rarely seen on Pro-tier iPhones.
Aside from the new colors, the camera layout remains familiar, with Apple sticking to the triangular triple-camera arrangement. However, most rumors point to the real design change happening on the front, where the Dynamic Island is expected to shrink by roughly 30%, helping the display look cleaner and more immersive.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is also rumored to debut Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chipset built on a 2nm process. Camera upgrades are expected too, with speculation around a variable aperture system for the main sensor. That said, Apple typically avoids major camera overhauls in consecutive years, especially after introducing the redesigned selfie camera system and upgraded optical zoom tech in recent models.
What makes these leaks particularly interesting is the broader shift in Apple’s design direction. After years of muted titanium tones and safe metallic finishes, the company appears more willing to experiment with personality-driven colors that stand out visually without sacrificing the premium feel expected from the Pro series.
Apple has not officially confirmed any of these finishes yet, but dummy units like these are often used by accessory makers months ahead of launch and tend to closely reflect the final hardware dimensions and color options. If accurate, Dark Cherry Red could easily become one of the defining smartphone colors of 2026.
via Lusi Roy 8