After seeing so many Apple leaks over the years, you start developing a bit of a personal radar. Some photos feel fake from a mile away, while others deserve a closer look. This latest one sits closer to the second category: a SIM tray presented as belonging to the iPhone 18 Pro appears to show a very dark red finish, already nicknamed Dark Cherry.
Nothing is official yet. Apple never comments on this kind of detail before a keynote. Still, the rumor is interesting because it does not come out of nowhere. For several weeks now, different clues have been pointing in the same direction: the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could arrive with a burgundy shade, somewhere between black cherry, plum and deep red wine.
A less flashy color than orange
After the Cosmic Orange of the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple seems ready to change mood. This darker red would move in a more elegant, more mature direction, almost like a piece of jewelry. Not a bright red designed to scream for attention, but a quieter shade, one that could shift depending on the light.
That is exactly the kind of nuance that can work on a Pro model. Apple’s high-end iPhones have often leaned into restraint: graphite, natural titanium, deep blue, black, silver. When Apple tries a stronger color, it still needs to feel refined enough not to turn the device into something gimmicky.
The SIM tray detail is not meaningless
A SIM tray is not exactly exciting. It is probably one of the least glamorous parts of a smartphone. Yet that is precisely why it matters here. If the part is genuine, it may come from the production chain or from a test batch, and its finish should match the final frame.
This is not definitive proof. A single photo, posted on a Chinese social network, remains fragile evidence. But it lines up with other details already mentioned: mockups, camera bump plates, color rumors and references close to burgundy. Little by little, the puzzle is starting to take shape.
A Pro lineup without a true black?
Another detail raising eyebrows is the possible absence of a black iPhone 18 Pro. Several leaks mention a dark gray instead, alongside silver, light blue and this so-called Dark Cherry. That would be a surprising choice, since black remains one of the safest colors in the smartphone world.
Apple, though, sometimes likes to slightly move the goalposts. A very dark gray can play the role of black while giving the design a little more depth. Light blue, meanwhile, would bring back a bit of the spirit of the Sierra Blue iPhone 13 Pro. In that lineup, Dark Cherry would clearly be the hero color.
Why Apple cares so much about colors
It would be easy to dismiss color as a minor detail. In reality, it is one of the strongest ways to make a generation instantly recognizable. When an iPhone does not change much from the front, the color becomes a visual shortcut: it says “new model” before anyone even talks about the chip, camera or display.
It is also the kind of topic that travels fast online: instant curiosity, comment-section debates, comparisons with older models. Apple knows this very well.
My take
Dark Cherry could be one of Apple’s best color choices in years, as long as the finish stays deep and metallic rather than drifting into candy red. There is always a risk: a leaked photo can make a color look stunning, only for it to lose character under the lights of an Apple Store.
Still, I like the idea. The iPhone Pro line needs colors with a bit more personality without becoming flashy. A dark burgundy could bring exactly the kind of character Apple’s most expensive models sometimes lack. At this stage, caution is still required, but the direction looks credible.
FAQ
Is the iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry confirmed?
No. Apple has not made anything official. For now, it is still a rumor based on several consistent leaks.
Which colors are expected for the iPhone 18 Pro?
The most frequently mentioned colors are Dark Cherry, light blue, dark gray and silver.
Could Apple drop black?
That is possible according to some leaks, but dark gray could play a very similar role in the lineup.
When will the iPhone 18 Pro be announced?
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected in September 2026, during Apple’s usual iPhone keynote window.
I'm Clémentine Pithon, and as a technology enthusiast, I write articles to guide you through the world of refurbished devices. My goal is simple: to help you make informed choices, understand the products, and get the most out of them every day. Tips, explanations, and practical advice are at the heart of my articles.
