iPhone 18 Pro leak reveals Dark Cherry and blue colours ahead of Apple event

DUBAI – Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have made another appearance online just days before the company's September 9 launch event, with a newly leaked video offering what could be an early look at two of the new colour options. The short footage appears to show an iPhone 18 Pro Max in a deep Dark Cherry finish and an iPhone 18 Pro in a lighter blue shade. The video was reportedly shared by Korean tipster yeux1122 on Naver and appears to have been recorded at a retail-style display. However, the authenticity of the devices has not been independently confirmed, meaning the colours should still be treated as leaks rather than official specifications. Apple has officially confirmed that its next event, titled 'Surprise and shine', will take place on Wednesday, September 9 at 10am Pacific Time. For customers in the UAE, that means the event will begin at 9pm UAE time. Apple has not disclosed which products will be unveiled, although the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are widely expected to be among the main announcements. New colours The leaked footage adds weight to earlier reports that Apple is preparing a significant colour refresh for its Pro iPhone range. The iPhone 18 Pro Max shown in the clip appears to have a dark red or burgundy-like finish, widely referred to in leaks as Dark Cherry. The iPhone 18 Pro appears in a much lighter blue shade, which has variously been described as Sky Blue or Light Blue. Previous reports have differed over the complete colour lineup. Some leaks have pointed to Dark Cherry, Sky Blue and Black, while other reports have suggested Silver could replace Black. MacRumors, for example, has listed Light Blue, Dark Cherry and Silver among the most likely options, while other recent reports have favoured Black instead of Silver. The latest video therefore provides an intriguing glimpse at two colours, but it does not establish the complete range Apple will offer. Dark Cherry would also mark a notable change from the iPhone 17 Pro generation, whose standout finish was Cosmic Orange. The new darker shade could become the headline colour for Apple's 2026 Pro models if the leaks prove accurate. Familiar design Beyond the colours, the leaked units appear to show a design that remains broadly familiar. That would be consistent with previous reports suggesting Apple is not planning a radical external redesign for the iPhone 18 Pro models. Instead, the company is expected to concentrate on internal upgrades and smaller changes to the display and camera system. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain a roughly 6.3-inch display, while the Pro Max is tipped to continue with a 6.9-inch screen. A smaller Dynamic Island has also been repeatedly reported, potentially giving the displays a cleaner appearance. Reports suggest some Face ID components could eventually move beneath the display, although the extent of any change remains uncertain ahead of Apple's announcement. Camera upgrade One of the most closely watched potential upgrades is the camera system. The iPhone 18 Pro range is widely expected to receive a new 48MP main Fusion camera, with reports pointing to variable aperture technology. Unlike the fixed aperture used on previous Pro iPhones, a variable aperture could allow the camera to control how much light reaches the sensor and offer greater control over depth of field. There is, however, disagreement over whether the feature will appear on both Pro models. Some reports have suggested that both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will receive the technology, while a later leak claimed Apple could reserve the variable aperture camera for the Pro Max as a premium differentiator. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also reportedly linked the 'shining' element of Apple's event branding to the possibility of a mechanical aperture on the Pro Max. If Apple does limit the feature to the larger model, it could become one of the clearest hardware differences between the two Pro versions. A20 Pro chip Performance is expected to receive a major boost through Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip. Reports indicate the processor could be Apple's first smartphone chip manufactured using TSMC's 2-nanometre process, potentially bringing improvements in performance and power efficiency compared with the 3nm A19 Pro. A recent leak also pointed to a redesigned chip architecture and a larger GPU, although those details remain unconfirmed. The smaller manufacturing process could be particularly important for battery life and sustained performance, especially as Apple continues to expand on-device artificial intelligence capabilities. The new phones are also expected to feature Apple's next-generation C2 modem, following the company's move towards developing more of its own cellular technology. Battery and AI Battery improvements are another recurring part of the iPhone 18 Pro leaks. The Pro Max is expected to receive a larger battery, while improvements to the processor and display technology could further improve endurance. Reports have also pointed to upgraded LTPO+ display technology as a potential efficiency improvement. AI will be another important part of the new generation. The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to launch with iOS 27, which is set to bring Apple's expanded Apple Intelligence features and a more capable Siri experience. Apple has previously said its AI strategy will combine on-device processing with Private Cloud Compute and, where appropriate, third-party models. The timing is particularly significant because Apple has faced criticism over delays to some of its promised Siri capabilities. The new iPhone generation could therefore become an important test of whether the company can translate its AI ambitions into features users actually notice. When can you buy it? Apple has not yet officially announced pricing or availability for the iPhone 18 Pro range. However, current reports suggest the Pro models will remain the focus of Apple's traditional September launch, while the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could be moved to spring 2027 as part of a major change to Apple's iPhone release schedule. The reported staggered strategy would leave customers seeking a new iPhone during the usual September window with the premium Pro models, alongside Apple's expected first foldable iPhone. Pre-orders have reportedly been tipped to begin on September 12, although Apple has yet to confirm that date. For UAE buyers, the September 9 event will therefore be the key moment to establish which colours, configurations and prices Apple actually confirms for the new Pro models and when they will reach the Emirates.