iPhone 18 Pro Max May Drop Black Color and Introduce Deep Red Premium Finish

What You need to Know

• iPhone 18 Pro Max may launch without the traditional black color

• Apple could introduce a new Deep Red premium finish

• iPhone 18 Pro Max expected to feature a new powerful chipset

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Were you planning to purchase a black iPhone 17 Pro last year, only to find that the black iPhone 17 Pro wasn't even available? If you are now waiting for a black iPhone 18 Pro later this year, we have even worse news for you. Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 series is still a few months away from launch, but early leaks have already begun to surface, building significant anticipation for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

As we hinted at the outset, the wait for a black iPhone 18 Pro brings bad news; according to reports, Apple may not offer the traditional black color option for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. This potential change is drawing particular attention because black has historically been the most popular color choice among the "Pro" models. A leaker operating under the handle "Instant Digital" on the Chinese social media platform Weibo has an established track record of providing advance information regarding Apple's upcoming devices. Instant Digital has previously shared accurate details in past iPhone leaks.

If this leak proves to be accurate, it would mark the second consecutive year that Apple has decided against offering a black color option for its premium iPhone models. Last year, the company introduced new colors such as Blue and Orange but did not make a black option available. User reactions to the removal of the black color last year were mixed; while some users appreciated the new color choices, many missed the traditional black finish.

You might now be wondering: why exactly is Apple shying away from dark colors? According to reports, Apple may opt to use anodized aluminum instead of titanium in its Pro models. Scratches tend to become visible quickly on this material particularly on dark shades like black which could compromise the phone's premium aesthetic. To minimize the appearance of scratches and signs of wear, Apple may consider offering lighter or more unique color options.

Much like last year when Apple surprised users by launching the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange, notably omitting a standard black option similar reports are surfacing this time around. As previously reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is reportedly working on a "Deep Red" color for its upcoming Pro models. If these reports prove accurate, this would mark the first premium iPhone since the iPhone 14 to feature a red variant as part of the (PRODUCT)RED lineup. However, it remains unclear at this stage exactly what the new color options will be.

That said, the Black color will not be removed entirely. The standard iPhone 18 model is expected to feature a Black color option, serving as a choice for users who prefer a classic aesthetic. Additionally, according to reports, future foldable iPhone models may also be available in classic shades such as Black and Space Gray.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to arrive with several upgrades, including a new and more powerful chipset, an enhanced software experience, refinements to the Dynamic Island, and minor design tweaks. All of this information is based on early leaks. Apple typically finalizes product features closer to the launch date; therefore, the final device may well hold a few surprises.