Apple is reportedly exploring a more expressive color direction for its next Pro lineup, and Dark Cherry has emerged as the most talked-about candidate for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The latest rumor positions it as a possible successor to Cosmic Orange, which drew attention on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max for its unusually bold look.
The information comes from a Macworld report that cites an anonymous source within Apple’s supply chain. That source says Apple is preparing four color options for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup: Light Blue with Pantone 2121, Dark Cherry with Pantone 6076, Dark Gray with Pantone 426C, and Silver with Pantone 427C.
A shift away from the usual Pro palette
For years, the iPhone Pro family has largely relied on safer finishes such as black, white, and gray. The latest rumor suggests Apple is becoming more open to colors that feel less restrained and more distinctive at the premium end of the lineup.
Dark Cherry fits that direction because it sits in a warmer and deeper range, closer to the kind of standout color treatment that Cosmic Orange represented. That earlier finish drew broad attention precisely because it felt different from the more subdued identity usually associated with iPhone Pro models.
What the Pantone codes suggest
Macworld’s report does more than name the colors. It also attaches Pantone codes to each proposed shade, which gives the leak a more specific visual reference than a general color description alone.
Pantone is widely used in design to define colors with greater precision, so a label such as Pantone 6076 offers a clearer indication of the intended tone. In the case of Dark Cherry, that code suggests something more defined than a simple red, even though it still remains only an unconfirmed rumor.
Other reports point in a similar direction
Dark Cherry is not the only signal that Apple may be considering richer, darker tones. Earlier reporting from Bloomberg through Mark Gurman also mentioned the possibility of a deep red iPhone color, along with rumors around purple and brown.
Taken together, those reports place Apple in a broader color path that leans toward warm and dark shades. The pattern does not prove anything about the final product, but it does make Dark Cherry feel consistent with other recent leaks surrounding the next Pro models.
Design changes appear to stay modest
Color may be the most noticeable change, but the iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to bring a major redesign on the outside. CAD drawings shared with Macworld are said to show a smaller gap between the rear glass cutout and the camera bump.
The same source also says the Dynamic Island could become smaller in the next generation. Dynamic Island refers to the pill-shaped area at the top of the display that houses TrueDepth components for Face ID.
That points to an approach Apple has used before: incremental refinement rather than a complete visual overhaul. In this scenario, the most visible change may come from the color palette rather than the overall form factor.
Why color matters for Apple
The move toward bolder finishes is not only about appearance. Color can affect how a phone is discussed online and how strongly it stands out in a crowded premium market.
According to an IDC researcher cited by The Financial Times, the bright orange color became widely shared on social media in China and helped drive a 36% annual increase in Apple sales there. The example shows that a striking color choice can have commercial impact, especially when it creates buzz beyond the hardware itself.
If Dark Cherry reaches the final iPhone 18 Pro lineup, it could serve a similar role by giving Apple a distinctive option that stands apart from the more conventional finishes. For now, though, it remains an unverified leak, and the strongest takeaway is that Apple appears to be treating Pro-model colors as a more important part of the product story than before.
