Apple may be about to make another surprising decision with its upcoming iPhone lineup. After removing black from the iPhone 17 Pro range, many Apple fans expected the company to bring the classic dark finish back with the iPhone 18 Pro. However, the latest leaks suggest that black may once again be missing from at least some versions of Apple’s next-generation flagship.
The situation surrounding the iPhone 18 colors is particularly interesting because Apple appears to be considering a major change to the Pro lineup. Early rumors indicated that black was returning, but more recent leaks have left it in doubt that Apple will ever launch it.
Why is Black Missing Again?
The biggest reason may simply be Apple’s strategy of giving each new iPhone generation a distinctive appearance.
Apple changed the usual black or dark gray color of the iPhone with the new iPhone 17 Pro and added Cosmic Orange to the lineup in addition to Deep Blue and Silver. The choice was a big deal because black was one of the most iconic top-end finishes for the iPhone for years.
Apple is also rumored to be working on another major color change for the iPhone 18 Pro. The company seems to have been very much focused on a new Dark Cherry colour with its offering, rather than reviving a familiar black flavour as the flagship variant.
Dark Cherry is expected to have a deep red appearance with subtle purple tones. It would be a major departure from the bright Cosmic Orange of the previous generation, and this shade may be the calling card for the iPhone 18 Pro.
What colours is the iPhone 18 likely to come in?
This is where things become complicated.
There have been several leaks indicating that the iPhone 18 Pro might come in a variety of colors: Dark Cherry, Sky Blue, and Black or Silver. It was even reported earlier that four colors would be available: Black, Silver, Light Blue and Dark Cherry.
The latest information has narrowed the options, though. According to MacRumors, the latest rumors have it that Dark Cherry, Silver and Light Blue are the most likely to appear, with the other big leaker saying that Black may be swapping out Silver.
This means there is no absolute certainty about the final colors until Apple announces them officially for the iPhone 18.
Read Also: iPhone 18 Pro Leaks: 2nm A20 Chip, Variable Aperture, What to Expect
Why is Apple avoiding Black?
A potential explanation: Apple is aiming for a more distinct appearance for the Apple iPhone 18 Pro compared to its predecessors.
Black is a safe and popular choice, but is also highly recognisable. Apple can make the new iPhone instantly recognizable by introducing a more unusual shade, like Dark Cherry.
This is not an unusual approach. With each new generation of Apple products, the company often releases a unique color to sell as one of the Pro versions to generate buzz. Cosmic Orange was the one that did that for the iPhone 17 Pro and now Dark Cherry could do it for the iPhone 18 Pro.
The other reason might be Apple’s aim to establish a better distinction between the various types of its products. If the Pro models are given exclusive colors, they will look more premium and unique than standard iPhone models.
When will Will Black ever come back?
But there’s still hope that Apple will return to black in the future. There are no official reports of the current ones, so these are based on leaks, prototypes and information from sources in Apple’s supply chain.
Interestingly, there have been some leaked iPhone 18 Pro mockups already seen in black, silver, Dark Cherry and light blue. It indicates that Apple might have run several test batches before choosing what colors they will offer in the final production run.
So, for the time being, it’s a sure bet that Dark Cherry will be one of the big iPhone 18 colors, and the third color will be either Black or Silver.
Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at its September 9, 2026 event. The standard iPhone 18, however, is expected to be delayed until spring 2027 instead of being released with the Pro devices.
The iPhone 18 Colors mystery will remain until Apple will reveal them on stage. And if black is indeed another no-go, Apple loyalists hoping for a classic black Pro iPhone will have to wait an additional year.
