A known Weibo leaker has stepped into an ongoing disagreement over exactly how dark the iPhone 18 Pro Max's rumored Dark Cherry color will look, saying the deeper of two shades circulating online is the accurate one.
In a new post on Weibo, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said two versions of the color have been mocked up online, one lighter and one darker, and claimed the darker version is correct. The leaker described the accurate shade as closer to a purplish red similar to a cherry, rather than the lighter, brighter red alternative some renders have shown.
The claim adds to what has already become one of the most heavily reported details of the iPhone 18 Pro's rumor cycle. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman was among the first to report on the color, describing it in February as a deep red.
In April, Macworld reported that Apple was preparing a signature new color called "Dark Cherry" for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, described as a deep, wine-like red rather than a brighter tone. The report said the color would replace Cosmic Orange as the line's headline shade and listed an internal Pantone code of 6076. A follow-up report in May from the leaker known as "Instant Digital" corroborated the color, describing it as a mix of burgundy, coffee, and deep purple.
Dummy models shared later that month by leaker Sonny Dickson showed the iPhone 18 Pro Max in "Dark Cherry" alongside Light Blue, Black, and Silver, with Dickson predicting the color would follow Cosmic Orange as the line's next standout hit. A separate SIM tray image shared in June by leaker Ice Universe offered another look at the color.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max next month alongside its first foldable iPhone.
/https://forums.macrumors.com/attachments/2651548/)
![Apple Watch Ultra 3 Drops to Record Low $599.97 on Amazon [Updated]](https://images.macrumors.com/t/99z85mg_XjeuFDPW3me6tOe0oOw=/112x112/article-new/2026/09/apple-watch-ultra-3-new.jpeg)
