Apple is widely rumored to release a trio of new iPhones in 2018, including a second-generation iPhone X, a larger 6.5-inch version dubbed the iPhone X Plus, and an all-new 6.1-inch model with some iPhone X features, but not all, at a lower price point of around $600 to $700 in the United States.
While the current iPhone X is limited to Space Gray and Silver, well-connected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes at least two of the new iPhone models in the 2018 lineup will be available in additional colors.
In a research note with TF Securities, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said the second-generation iPhone X will be available in Black, White, and Gold, while the 6.1-inch model is said to come in a wide array of colors, including red, blue, orange, gray, and white. An excerpt from the note follows.
We expect the demands for the new 6.5" OLED iPhone will be better than iPhone X because of similar or lower price but with larger display, dual-sim dual-standby (DSDS), and three possible casing colors (black, white, and gold).
The new 6.1" LCD iPhone is expected to boost better-replacement demands than iPhone 8/8s did due to being equipped with full-screen, Face ID, selling price lower than $700 USD, DSDS and five possible casing colors (grey, white, blue, red, and orange).
The current iPhone X was already expected to come in gold, but Kuo previously said Apple faced manufacturing challenges with the color, likely related to difficulties anodizing the stainless steel frame to be gold.
We know that Apple did at least prototype a gold iPhone X, as seen in regulatory photos it was required to submit to the FCC prior to the device launching last year. The photos were filed in September 2017, but weren't visible until April 2018, when Apple's confidentiality period expired.
It's reasonable to assume that Apple has figured out how to mass produce the iPhone X in gold, so there is little reason to doubt this rumor.
In terms of the lower-priced 6.1-inch iPhone, it also makes sense that it could be available in a rainbow of colors like one of its lower-priced siblings of the past, the plastic-backed iPhone 5c. The red finish would likely be part of the (PRODUCT)RED initiative supporting the elimination of HIV/AIDS.
Kuo has a respectable track record in terms of outlining Apple's future plans. This is his third Apple-focused research note with TF Securities, where he began working earlier this year after a long stint at KGI Securities.
Update: Steve Hemmerstoffer, who runs the Twitter account OnLeaks, claims Apple is also currently prototyping 2018 iPhones with yellow and pink finishes. He also says the "black" that Kuo refers to is likely Space Gray:
Following latest Ming-Chi Kuo report regarding 2018 iPhone color options, I can say at current prototyping stage White, Black (likely Space Gray), Grey (lighter grey), Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange and Pink are still on the table... pic.twitter.com/HNpp8nf8OJ — Steve H. (@OnLeaks) July 5, 2018
