Apple is testing a deep red color option for its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup, marking what would be the company's first red flagship iPhone available at launch rather than as a mid-cycle refresh. The premium burgundy-like tone is currently in evaluation alongside continued production of last year's popular Cosmic Orange variant.
The iPhone 18 Pro and standard iPhone 18 models have reportedly entered trial production stages, according to supply chain sources. Tipster Fixed Focus Digital shared details on Weibo indicating the devices are undergoing production validation runs using actual assembly lines and official tools.
External design changes appear minimal for the upcoming generation, with the iPhone 18 Pro maintaining a chassis similar to the current iPhone 17 Pro family. Recent leaks suggest new colorways and a smaller Dynamic Island will represent the most noticeable external modifications.
"We'll see how this plays out exactly, but I can at least tell you that, as of now, red is the new flagship color in testing for the next iPhone Pros,"
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman wrote in his Power On newsletter, reporting that red has emerged as the new flagship color in testing for next year's Pro models.
This potential shift follows Apple's successful Cosmic Orange launch earlier this year, which analysts credit with helping drive record iPhone sales in Greater China. The Financial Times reported that many consumers referred to the hue as "Hermès orange" rather than Apple's official Cosmic Orange name, reinforcing the device's status-symbol positioning.
Historically, Apple has never released a red flagship iPhone on day one. The first red model arrived as a mid-cycle refresh of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in 2017, followed by similar late introductions for the iPhone 8 series and subsequent models through iPhone 14.
Customers could purchase those devices in red only after waiting several months following initial launches.
The test production phase involves Apple using its actual assembly lines and official production tools to validate manufacturing processes before mass production begins later this year. This early start suggests Apple wants to ensure smooth manufacturing ahead of the expected September unveiling.
Apple's foldable iPhone, expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, will reportedly take a more conservative approach to colors. According to Gurman, Apple plans to "stay away" from fun colors for its first foldable device, likely offering only dark gray or black alongside white or light silver options.
The company appears committed to leveraging color psychology following last year's success with Cosmic Orange. That vibrant shade helped fuel unprecedented demand in key markets like China, where revenue grew 38 percent year-over-year during Apple's record-breaking quarter.
Production validation runs typically occur six to eight months before mass manufacturing begins, aligning with expectations for a September launch timeline. The process allows Apple engineers to identify and resolve any manufacturing issues before committing to full-scale production.
