Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and its first foldable model in September 2026, with design changes including a darker hero color, a thinner foldable form factor, and a shift in camera placement, according to reports from Forbes and Notebookcheck.
4 New Colors And Updated Case Style
The iPhone 18 Pro series, scheduled for a September 9, 2026, release, will feature a redesigned chassis and a new “dark cherry” color, replacing the popular Cosmic Orange from the iPhone 17 Pro, per Forbes. The foldable iPhone, meanwhile, is expected to measure 9.4mm when closed, with a punch-hole selfie camera positioned on the inner display—a first for Apple—according to leaked schematics from Notebookcheck. Design Evolution: From 17 Pro to 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro’s design will retain the aluminum frame and glass back introduced with the 17 Pro but with a more unified color scheme. Forbes notes that the new “dark cherry” hue—described as a wine-like red with purple undertones—will replace Cosmic Orange, while a light blue variant is also rumored. Silver will return but in a revised shade, and the foldable model will offer black and white options, aligning with its “businesslike” aesthetic. The two elements will still be distinguishable—it would be hard to make them look identical as they are different materials
—but there’s likely to be more alignment this time, according to the source. The 18 Pro will also feature a total of four colors, not the three (Cosmic Orange, Silver, and Deep Blue) currently on the shelves. The traditional and perennially popular dark gray or black will return this fall, breaking from the 17 Pro’s color lineup. The foldable iPhone’s dimensions, revealed in leaked schematics, show a 9.4mm thickness when closed, thinner than earlier 11mm estimates. The device will feature a “punch-hole” selfie camera on the inner display, a departure from Face ID, and a prominent camera bump that increases its thickness to 13.9mm when unfolded. Notebookcheck’s analysis emphasizes the design’s balance between portability and functionality, comparing it to competing foldables from Samsung and Oppo. Color Choices and Market Strategy
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Apple’s color strategy for the 18 Pro series reflects a shift toward subtler tones. The new “dark cherry” color, while unnamed, is expected to dominate, with a light blue and revised silver completing the lineup. Forbes highlights that this marks a departure from the 17 Pro’s bold cosmic orange, which was a commercial hit. The foldable model’s black and white options, meanwhile, signal a focus on professional and minimalist aesthetics. Foldable Innovation: Technical Details and Challenges
Apple unveils iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro
The foldable iPhone’s technical specifications, as outlined in Notebookcheck’s leaked schematics, include a 167.59mm x 120.59mm footprint and a “plateau” design to accommodate two 48MP main and ultra-wide cameras. The schematics also reveal a side-mounted Touch ID sensor, a feature absent from recent iPhones but common in foldables. The article originally stated the upcoming Apple phone’s thickness when folded is set to be 9.23mm. This is incorrect, as the 9.23mm figure in the schematics refers to the smartphone’s thickness when unfolded, including the rear camera module. The actual figure is 9.4mm, as 4.7 multiplied by 2 is 9.4. The device’s footprint and camera bump are designed to accommodate advanced imaging capabilities, with the plateau housing two 48MP sensors. What Comes Next for Apple’s Smartphone Lineup
The 18 Pro’s release in September 2026 will be followed by the foldable model, with no “affordable” iPhones planned for 2026. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, unveiled on September 9, 2025, feature a new design powered by the A19 Pro chip, with three 48MP Fusion cameras, a new Center Stage front camera, and pro-level video features. The devices are available in deep blue, cosmic orange, and silver, with pre-orders beginning on September 12. The release was described as the most powerful and advanced Pro models ever,
according to Apple’s press release.
