iPhone 18 Pro: New colors, same old scratch problem Apfelpatient

Apple is expected to use an aluminum alloy again for the iPhone 18 Pro – with all the advantages and disadvantages of its predecessor. A recent warning explicitly states that the new color options could also deteriorate over time. The material's excellent heat dissipation remains its key advantage.

With the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple switched the casing from titanium to an aluminum alloy – with mixed results. A recent post from Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital suggests that the iPhone 18 Pro will inherit the exact same alloy, and therefore the same strengths and weaknesses. Specifically, the material is said to continue dissipating heat very well, while the color – as with its predecessor – will remain susceptible to wear. Since Apple has not yet officially unveiled the model and it is expected to be available in four colors, this information should be taken with a grain of salt.

What the new clue specifically states

The assessment essentially confirms two points. First, according to the leaker, the iPhone 18 Pro retains the aluminum construction, whose heat dissipation is described as excellent. Second – and this is the real warning – the new color variants could be just as susceptible to damage as the iPhone 17 Pro, which showed scratches and coating chipping in exposed areas.

This shifts the focus away from the fundamental question of materials and towards the surface finish of the new colors. Whether this year's paint finishes will be more durable or simply repeat the familiar problems in new shades cannot be definitively assessed before the market launch.

Where does the concern about the color come from?

The reason for this lies in the experience with the current Pro model. While the anodized aluminum of the iPhone 17 Pro held up surprisingly well in everyday use, a clear weakness emerged at the camera module: the coating adheres less well to the sharp-edged protrusion, meaning that even simple objects can leave visible marks there.

Apple attributed the discussed damage to two independent causes. Some of the marks on display devices in stores were not from scratches, but from worn MagSafe charging stands that had transferred material to the back – removable by cleaning. The company classified the sensitive edges around the camera platform, however, as typical wear and tear for the material. This same combination of good overall robustness and localized vulnerability is likely to be repeated in the successor model.

The heat dissipation remains the advantage

Despite concerns about the aesthetics, the note also highlights the greatest advantage of the aluminum alloy: its ability to dissipate heat efficiently. This is a noticeable benefit, especially for power-hungry chips, because heat can be carried away from the interior more quickly, and performance remains stable for longer. From Apple's perspective, this technical advantage apparently outweighs the cosmetic drawbacks – otherwise, it would be difficult to understand why the material has survived another generation despite the criticism.

Certainty will only come after the market launch

Whether the new colors will actually show signs of wear as quickly as the iPhone 17 Pro remains to be seen, once the devices are used in everyday life. It's conceivable that a deeper pigment tone might better conceal minor scratches – but that's not guaranteed. Until then, one plausible expectation remains: The iPhone 18 Pro is likely to inherit the strengths of its predecessor, but also its known weaknesses. (Image: Shutterstock / Jess Rodriguez)