iPhone 18 Pro: Dark Cherry confirmed again Apfelpatient

Chinese leaker Instant Digital has confirmed the Dark Cherry color option for the iPhone 18 Pro – and provided a more precise color description. This strengthens the evidence for one of the most interesting iPhone colors in years.

The rumors surrounding the iPhone 18 Pro color palette are becoming more concrete by the week. Following Macworld's initial leak of four color options, including Dark Cherry, and the visual confirmation from Ice Universe in the form of camera protective plates, Instant Digital – another Chinese leaker with a good track record – has now weighed in. They confirm Dark Cherry as the new signature color for the iPhone 18 Pro.

What's interesting is not just the confirmation, but especially the color description. Instant Digital describes Dark Cherry as a blend of burgundy, coffee, and deep purple. This suddenly gives several previous color rumors a common denominator: What initially appeared to be contradictory leaks seems to be, in fact, one and the same color – just described differently.

The previous rumor mill regarding the color

As early as February 2026, various proposals for the iPhone 18 Pro signal color were circulating:

A "Deep Red" (reported by multiple sources)
Burgundy (reported by other leakers)
Coffee/Brown (as a separate option)
Dark Purple/Deep Violet (according to other reports)

Instant Digital now resolves this apparent confusion: all these descriptions are apparently approximations of the same color. Dark Cherry combines elements of burgundy (the reddish-purple base), coffee (the warm brown component), and deep violet (the dark, almost mystical undertone). Depending on the lighting conditions and viewing angle, the color can therefore appear very different.

Dark Cherry follows Cosmic Orange

With Dark Cherry, Apple continues a tradition that began with the iPhone 17 Pro: Each Pro year features a striking new signature color that visually reinforces the design update. The iPhone 17 Pro introduced a bold, warm tone with Cosmic Orange – which garnered considerable attention.

Dark Cherry likely serves a similar purpose, but with a different aesthetic. While Cosmic Orange appeared warm, bright, and almost summery, Dark Cherry goes in a completely different direction: dark, sophisticated, and mystical. This aligns with a trend other manufacturers are also pursuing – rich, deep colors instead of strikingly vibrant hues.

What the color technically means

New iPhone colors are never purely cosmetic at Apple. The back of the Pro model is made of aluminum – the switch from titanium back to aluminum was already completed with the iPhone 17 Pro. Complex shades like Dark Cherry require multi-layered anodizing processes in which different metal surfaces are colored in a precisely graduated sequence.

The result: An effect that appears vibrant in depth, depending on the viewing angle. Apple has implemented something similar with previous colors like "Midnight Green" on the iPhone 11 Pro or "Pacific Blue" on the iPhone 12 Pro – colors that remain highly popular with collectors and retro enthusiasts.

The other three colors at a glance

In addition to Dark Cherry, the following colors are confirmed or likely for the iPhone 18 Pro:

Light Blue: A light blue that should resemble the Mist Blue of the iPhone 17.
Dark Gray: A dark shade of gray that effectively takes on the role of black.
Silver: The classic silver tone that Apple has offered in almost every iPhone generation for years.

One noticeable omission is a true black. Instant Digital previously reported that Apple has opted not to offer a black version of the iPhone 18 Pro – Dark Gray takes its place. This could be a minor annoyance for users who consistently prefer black.

iPhone 18 Pro: When it will be officially released

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026 – just a few days after John Ternus' official CEO transition. It will then become clear whether the previous color rumors prove entirely accurate or whether Apple will drop individual variants – as has happened several times in the past with Pro models.

For a complete overview of all previous iPhone 18 Pro leaks, you can find a continuously updated summary of all rumors here. (Image: Shutterstock / Stockinq)