A compilation of leaks about the iPhone 18 Pro indicates plans to make the device thicker to improve heat dissipation, include support for Apple Intelligence features, and highlight a new Dark Cherry color.
In about three months, the launch timeline for the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro will begin. According to rumors, Apple's premium smartphones have entered production testing phases to ensure the manufacturing process is smooth and to prevent technical issues before full-scale production starts.
Supply chain insights reveal that the iPhone 18 Pro’s design will largely remain unchanged, with minor refinements such as a smaller Dynamic Island and smoother transitions between the back glass and the camera module for a more seamless look.
The most notable and colorful update this time concerns the device’s color options. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be available in four colors: silver, light blue, dark gray, and a new dark cherry red, which will replace the Cosmic Orange of the iPhone 17 Pro for 2026. This new shade is a deep wine-red tone that conveys a more luxurious and subdued feel.
Changing the signature color annually is a common Apple strategy to maintain freshness and boost sales among customers seeking distinctive fashion statements.
Beyond appearance, Apple is making a significant engineering design change by slightly increasing the thickness and weight of the iPhone 18 Pro. While this may disappoint users who prefer slimmer devices, currently this approach isentirely reasonable.Indeed.
The first factor driving this is the growing processing demands of artificial intelligence technology. To make mobile devices powerful AI processing hubs requires high-performance chipsets and excellent thermal management.
The second factor is that Apple offers the iPhone Air as an option for those prioritizing thinness and lightness, allowing the iPhone 18 Pro production line to focus on overcoming slimness constraints to provide more space for advanced hardware and longer-lasting batteries.
AI technology advancements also affect the standard iPhone 18 model, which is expected to upgrade its RAM to 12GB and run on the A20 chipset, a significant leap from the iPhone 17’s 8GB RAM.
The decision to increase RAM in the base model aims to support the more complex and resource-intensive Apple Intelligence features expected in the future, aligning the standard model’s memory specs with those of the Pro tier.
Regarding pricing strategy, analysts from GF Securities and industry experts anticipate Apple will keep the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max prices unchanged at $1,099 and $1,199 respectively. This counters the smartphone industry trend, which is facing rising memory costs due to AI market growth.
Maintaining the same price is a key move to compete with Android manufacturers, many of whom are raising prices or discontinuing budget models because of cost pressures. Apple plans to offset costs by increasing prices only on higher-capacity versions instead.