Apple Considering Deep Red Finish for iPhone 18 Pro, Conservative Colors for Foldable [Report]

Apple is reportedly testing a deep red color option for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max as it considers finishes for the next generation. According to Mark Gurman, the new shade emerged following strong interest in this year's Cosmic Orange iPhone 17, which has been particularly popular in China.



Recent rumors of purple and brown iPhone models circulating in the supply chain may simply reflect variations of this same red concept during internal prototyping. Because red and orange occupy similar positions on the color spectrum, it remains unclear whether Apple will replace Cosmic Orange entirely or expand the lineup with an additional bold option when the devices launch this fall.


The approach appears different for Apple's other major hardware project. For the foldable iPhone expected to debut alongside the standard lineup, the company is reportedly leaning toward more conservative finishes. Early indications suggest the device may skip vibrant colors, instead launching in dark gray or black, alongside a lighter silver or white variant reminiscent of earlier iPhone generations.

On the software side, the release of the first beta for iOS 26.4 offers a clearer look at what's coming next. The update includes a redesigned wallpaper chooser that pulls high-resolution images directly from Apple's servers, which could reduce storage use and smooth out the previously laggy interface. It also adds support for video podcasts using HTTP Live Streaming, bringing better ad support, higher-quality video, and the ability to switch seamlessly between audio and video playback. Apple Music is gaining AI-powered playlist creation, refreshed album art styling, and a feature that highlights upcoming tour dates for artists you follow.

Security settings are also seeing an adjustment, with Stolen Device Protection now enabled by default. The feature requires Face ID or Touch ID before sensitive account changes can be made. It had previously been strictly opt-in since its debut in early 2024. The beta also adds support for third-party voice AI apps in CarPlay, letting tools like ChatGPT run inside the CarPlay interface.

Notably absent from the iOS 26.4 beta is any sign of the long-rumored Siri overhaul. The code contains no references to the redesigned assistant or the Google Gemini models believed to power it. That absence lines up with prior reporting that Apple has pushed major Siri upgrades to iOS 26.5 or later, with the most advanced chatbot features likely arriving in iOS 27.


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