Apple Testing Deep Red iPhone 18 Pro, While Foldable Stays Classic

Apple may be preparing a bold new look for its next flagship lineup.

According to reporting from Mark Gurman, Apple is internally testing a deep red finish for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The move appears to be a response to strong demand for this year’s Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 — a color that has reportedly been especially popular in China.

Here’s what we know so far.

A Deeper, Richer Red for Pro Models?

The rumored deep red shade is said to be under serious consideration for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Internally, Apple has been experimenting with finishes that lean toward a darker, more saturated red tone.

Interestingly, recent supply chain rumors mentioning purple and brown models may simply reflect variations of this same red concept during testing. Since red and orange sit close on the color spectrum, different lighting and materials can create very different impressions.

What’s still unclear:

• Will Apple replace Cosmic Orange entirely?
• Or will it expand the lineup with an additional bold color?

If Apple does move forward with deep red, it would continue the company’s recent strategy of giving Pro models one standout signature color each year.

Foldable iPhone Expected to Stay Conservative

While the Pro models may go bold, Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone appears to be taking a very different approach.

Early indications suggest the foldable device will debut in more traditional finishes, potentially including:

• Dark gray or black
• Silver or white

The strategy makes sense. Foldables represent a new and premium category, and Apple may prefer to launch it in classic, timeless colors rather than experiment with vibrant finishes right away.

iOS 26.4 Beta: What’s New

Alongside the hardware rumors, Apple has released the first beta of iOS 26.4, and it gives us a clearer picture of what’s coming on the software side.

Redesigned Wallpaper Chooser

The update introduces a revamped wallpaper picker that pulls high-resolution images directly from Apple’s servers. This change could:

• Reduce on-device storage usage
• Improve performance
• Eliminate lag that some users experienced

It’s a subtle change, but one that improves daily usability.

Video Podcasts via HTTP Live Streaming

iOS 26.4 adds support for video podcasts using HTTP Live Streaming. This enables:

• Better ad integration
• Higher-quality video playback
• Seamless switching between audio and video

For creators and platforms alike, this makes podcasts more dynamic and flexible.

Apple Music Enhancements

Apple Music is gaining several notable updates:

• AI-powered playlist creation
• Refreshed album art styling
• Upcoming tour date highlights for artists you follow

The focus appears to be on deeper personalization and stronger artist-fan connection.

Security: Stolen Device Protection Enabled by Default

Apple is strengthening security by enabling Stolen Device Protection by default.

This feature requires Face ID or Touch ID before sensitive account changes can be made. Previously, users had to manually turn it on after its early 2024 debut.

Making it automatic signals Apple’s continued emphasis on account security and theft prevention.

Third-Party Voice AI Apps in CarPlay

Another interesting addition: support for third-party voice AI apps within CarPlay.

This could allow tools like ChatGPT to operate inside the CarPlay interface, expanding functionality beyond Apple’s built-in assistant.

What’s Missing: The Siri Overhaul

Notably absent from the iOS 26.4 beta is any sign of the rumored Siri redesign.

There are:

• No references to a rebuilt assistant
• No visible integration of Google Gemini models
• No advanced chatbot features

That aligns with earlier reports suggesting major Siri upgrades have been pushed to iOS 26.5 or later, with the most ambitious features potentially arriving in iOS 27.

Final Thoughts

Apple appears to be balancing bold experimentation with cautious refinement.

On the hardware side, a deep red iPhone 18 Pro could continue the trend of striking annual Pro colors, while the foldable model remains visually conservative.

On the software side, iOS 26.4 focuses on performance, personalization, security, and ecosystem expansion rather than dramatic AI changes.

The bigger Siri evolution may still be coming — just not yet.

If the deep red finish becomes official, would you choose it over the traditional Pro colors, or do you prefer Apple’s more understated tones?