iPhone 18 Pro leaks: Dark Cherry colour, bigger battery, A20 Pro chip expected

New leaks are offering the clearest picture yet of what Apple's iPhone 18 Pro will look like when it arrives later this year. According to reports from multiple outlets, the next-generation Pro iPhone is expected to debut in a brand new Dark Cherry colour, along with a larger battery and the company's next-generation A20 Pro processor.

The leaks, aggregated by Storyboard18 and corroborated by sources including Forbes and Moneycontrol, point to a familiar September release window. Apple has held iPhone launch events in September for 15 consecutive years, and analysts expect that pattern to hold for 2026.

Dark Cherry joins the lineup

The most eye-catching detail is the rumoured Dark Cherry finish. If accurate, it would replace or sit alongside existing colours like Space Black, Silver, and Deep Purple. The shade is described as a deep, rich red that shifts between maroon and near-black depending on lighting.

Apple has experimented with bold colours in the past — the iPhone 14 Pro's Deep Purple and the iPhone 15 Pro's Natural Titanium were both well-received. Dark Cherry would mark a return to darker, more premium tones for the Pro line. Leakers have not yet shared official renders, but mockups suggest a glossy glass back paired with a titanium frame.

Bigger battery, A20 Pro chip

Under the hood, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to pack Apple's A20 Pro chip, built on a more efficient 2-nanometre process. That should bring noticeable gains in speed and power efficiency compared to the A19 Pro found in the iPhone 17 Pro.

Battery life is also set to improve. Multiple sources indicate Apple has increased the physical size of the battery inside the iPhone 18 Pro, likely to support the more power-hungry features expected in iOS 20 and future AI-driven tasks. The exact capacity has not been confirmed, but early leaks suggest a jump of at least 5-10% over the iPhone 17 Pro's battery.

Variable aperture camera coming to Pro Max

Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is tipped to receive a variable aperture camera system. A leak from Forbes claims the larger model will allow users to adjust the aperture manually, giving greater control over depth of field in photos. This feature, common in professional cameras, would be a first for Apple's smartphone lineup.

The standard iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to get this upgrade. It will likely retain the same triple-camera setup as its predecessor, with incremental sensor improvements. Apple has not commented on any of these leaks.

What to watch next

Apple typically sends out media invites for its September event in late August. Until then, leaks and rumours will continue to shape expectations. The Dark Cherry colour, in particular, appears to be generating buzz among Apple fans. If the company does launch it, the iPhone 18 Pro could be one of the most visually distinct models in years.