iPhone 18 Colours: What We Know and Should You Wait?

✨ TL; DR

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are confirmed to come in Burgundy, Glacier, Black, and Silver. Burgundy is the standout new finish, a deep red with purple and wine tones, not a bright scarlet. Black returns to the Pro lineup after its absence from the iPhone 17 Pro, and Glacier replaces Deep Blue with a much lighter, softer tone. The standard iPhone 18 colours are still unknown, as Apple hasn't announced that model yet. The iPhone 18 Pro goes on sale in the UK on 18 September 2026, with pre-orders from 12 September. If you need a phone before then, a refurbished iPhone 17 is the strongest option for most buyers, while the iPhone 16 is the lower-cost choice.

Why you can trust this list

The iPhone 18 hasn't been officially announced, so this list separates reported colours from confirmed information. Rather than treating leaked renders or rumours as fact, we compare reports from reputable technology sources with Apple's confirmed colour line-ups for previous iPhone generations.

As a specialist refurbished electronics marketplace, Back Market works with vetted refurbishers that must follow its Quality Charter. Refurbished smartphones can go through up to 100 quality checks, including testing the cameras, buttons, sensors, speakers, connectivity, ports, and battery. Back Market also offers a 12-month warranty and 30-day free returns in the UK.

There won't be a refurbished iPhone 18 market at launch, but Back Market already has extensive customer feedback on the iPhone 17 and previous models.

iPhone 18 colours at a glance

iPhone 18 vs iPhone 17 colours: What's changing?

The iPhone 18 Pro palette is a significant shift from the outgoing generation. The iPhone 17 Pro came in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver. The confirmed iPhone 18 Pro colours are Burgundy, Glacier, Black, and Silver ; and the Pro Max shares the same palette.

This sums up the direction Apple has taken. The lineup moves away from the very bold Cosmic Orange towards darker, more restrained tones, while Silver stays as the reliable neutral and Black makes a welcome return for buyers who want a classic dark option.

The standard iPhone 18 colours are still a big unknown

✨ The Pro colours are now confirmed, but the standard iPhone 18 colours are not. Apple didn't announce the standard model at its September 2026 event.

Most iPhone 18 colour coverage is really coverage of the Pro models, which leaves an important gap for anyone searching specifically for the standard phone. There is no reliable five-colour list for the standard iPhone 18 yet, and Apple has a long-running habit of giving its standard and Pro models different colour palettes rather than treating the whole range as one set.

Apple offers the standard iPhone 17 model in Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, and Lavender, while the iPhone 17 Pro uses a separate palette of Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver. Apple followed the same broad approach with the iPhone 16, giving the standard model Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine while the Pro range used its own titanium finishes, so there is little reason to assume that the reported Pro colours will automatically appear on the standard iPhone 18.

Another reason not to guess is the reported split launch, with Pro models arriving first and the standard iPhone 18 arriving later, which gives Apple more time to decide and announce the standard model's finishes.

Burgundy: The iPhone 18 Pro colour worth knowing about

✨ Burgundy is Apple's confirmed name for what leaks called Dark Cherry.

Burgundy is the most distinctive colour in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, and the one most likely to influence a buyer's decision. Macworld reported the Pantone reference as 6076 ahead of launch and described the shade as closer to purple than red and the finished colour bears that out. Apple went with the name Burgundy rather than Dark Cherry, but the visual is what pre-launch reports described: a deep wine-red rather than a vivid scarlet. This is the colour that sets the iPhone 18 Pro apart from every recent iPhone Pro generation, and the one that makes this lineup look meaningfully different from the outgoing Cosmic Orange. "The Dark Cherry color is closer to purple than red." — Macworld Darker finishes like Burgundy tend to show scuffs and fingerprints more than lighter colours. The iPhone 18 Pro uses an aluminium unibody with Ceramic Shield 2 front and back, and buyers who go case-free should expect the same wear patterns seen on darker Pro finishes in previous generations. Reddit reaction to the colour has been positive overall.

iPhone 18 Glacier: The softer iPhone 18 Pro option

✨ Glacier is Apple's official name for what leaks called Light Blue: the calm, understated option in the iPhone 18 Pro range.

Glacier is the lighter blue in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, and it sits noticeably softer than the Deep Blue on the iPhone 17 Pro. The Pantone reference reported ahead of launch was 2121, and the colour is compared to Sierra Blue from the iPhone 13 Pro, a popular finish for buyers who liked Apple's earlier lighter blues but found Deep Blue too saturated.

If you enjoy the quieter tone of Mist Blue on the iPhone 17, Glacier is the natural alternative to Burgundy for buyers who want a new colour without going bold.

Reddit owners already show how personal these choices are, with one iPhone 17 owner who initially worried about Mist Blue later saying they loved the colour after using it for almost two months. — Reddit

Black: The returning classic in the iPhone 18 Pro range

✨ Black returns to the iPhone 18 Pro lineup after its absence from the iPhone 17 Pro, the obvious choice for anyone who normally goes dark.

Black is back in the Pro lineup, which will please anyone who felt the iPhone 17 Pro's palette was missing a true dark option. It's the least polarising colour in the confirmed iPhone 18 Pro range and the easiest to recommend for buyers who simply want a premium, understated finish. If you normally choose black, graphite, or dark titanium iPhones, this is your colour. It should also pair well with a wide range of cases or none at all. Like Burgundy, Black is a dark finish, so the same wear considerations apply: fingerprints and scuffs will show more than on Silver or Glacier. Worth keeping in mind if you typically go case-free.

iPhone 18 Silver: The familiar choice

✨ Silver is confirmed in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and carries over directly from the iPhone 17 Pro — the safe, long-term choice.

Silver is confirmed as part of the iPhone 18 Pro range, and it's the one colour that carries over directly from the iPhone 17 Pro. It's the reliable neutral in a lineup that also includes the bold Burgundy, the soft Glacier, and the classic Black.

Silver may be less exciting than Dark Cherry, but that’s also its strength; if you keep your phone for several years, a neutral finish is less likely to feel dated and can be a sensible choice for refurbished buyers who care more about condition and price than having a rare colour.

Why the refurbished iPhone 17 deserves more attention

✨ If you want a current iPhone with real customer feedback and a choice of five colours, the refurbished iPhone 17 is the strongest alternative to waiting.

This is where the iPhone 18 colour story becomes useful for Back Market shoppers, because a future colour doesn’t have to decide what you buy today. You don’t have to wait for iPhone 18 to get a recent iPhone with a strong colour choice, and the existing refurbished market gives you a known product with known performance, real reviews, and an established supply of devices.

Apple's iPhone 17 comes in Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, and Lavender. It also made a bigger jump than a simple yearly update, with the base model gaining a 6.3-inch display with ProMotion up to 120Hz, an A19 Pro chip, a 48MP 48MP Pro Fusion camera system, and up to 31 hours of video playback.

On Back Market UK, the refurbished iPhone 17 currently has a 4.7/5 rating from more than 7,000 verified reviews, with appearance at 4.9/5 and both battery and overall performance at 4.8/5. Current listings also include 30-day returns and a 12-month seller warranty, giving buyers a useful amount of real-world information that simply cannot exist for an unannounced iPhone 18.

“The device was in perfect condition, with no scratches or issues. The battery health was at 100% and the phone was almost brand new.” - Nicolas L.

“I highly recommend this phone.” - Reddit

The iPhone 16 is the value option people often overlook

✨ The iPhone 16 is the model to consider if you want a capable recent iPhone without paying for the latest generation.

If the iPhone 17 is still more than you want to spend, the iPhone 16 deserves a serious look. It will be two generations behind the upcoming iPhone 18 once that model launches, but that doesn’t make it an old or basic phone, particularly for buyers whose main priorities are everyday performance, camera quality, and a lower refurbished price.

The iPhone 16 has an A18 chip, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, a 48MP Fusion main camera, and Camera Control, and it launched in Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine.

Back Market UK currently lists refurbished iPhone 16 models at prices below the iPhone 17, although exact prices change with storage, condition, battery choice, and colour. One current 128 GB Black listingwas £489 when researched, compared with £699 as the new reference price.

The iPhone 16 is particularly useful for someone who cares about price more than having the newest display or chip, especially when the phone is being bought refurbished rather than as a brand-new flagship. You also get a different colour range from the iPhone 17, including Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine, which gives shoppers more choice if they prefer a specific colour over the newer hardware.

iPhone 18 vs iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16

For a colour-focused buying decision, the three generations look very different. Only the iPhone 18 is based on leaks, while the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 are confirmed products with refurbished stock.

Should you wait for iPhone 18 or buy a refurbished iPhone now?

✨ The iPhone 18 Pro goes on sale in the UK on 18 September. If you can wait a week, you can now buy new. If you need a phone today, the refurbished iPhone 17 is the strongest middle ground.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are announced and available to pre-order from 12 September, with the phones going on sale on 18 September 2026. If you want the newest generation, you no longer have to wait for a launch — just a few days. If you're wondering which iPhone is best suited for you, the most important question is still whether you want a phone now or can wait for refurbished iPhone 18 Pro stock to build over the coming months.

Choose iPhone 18 if...

• You want the latest generation from Apple.

• Burgundy, Glacier, or Black are the reasons you're choosing the 18 Pro over earlier models.

• You can wait until 18 September for the phone to go on sale.

• You want the A20 Pro chip and the updated camera system.

If you go this route, remember that launch-day refurbished stock won't exist on day one. Owners need to buy the iPhone 18 Pro, use it, then trade it in before it enters the refurbished market, so the refurbished supply will build gradually, not appear immediately.

Choose iPhone 17 if...

• You need a phone now.

• You want a newer model without waiting for iPhone 18.

• You want ProMotion on the standard iPhone.

• You want five confirmed colours and plenty of real-world feedback.

This is the best middle ground for most Back Market shoppers. It gives you a recent model without making you wait for an unconfirmed colour.

Choose iPhone 16 if...

• Your main goal is saving money.

• You don't need a 120Hz display.

• You like Pink, Teal, or Ultramarine.

• You want a proven model with a large refurbished supply.

When will refurbished iPhone 18 models arrive?

✨ The iPhone 18 Pro goes on sale 18 September 2026, but a large refurbished selection will take longer to arrive. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 are the useful refurbished choices today.

The iPhone 18 Pro launches on 18 September, but don't expect a wide refurbished selection straight away. Back Market's refurbished stock comes from devices that have already been bought, used, traded in, and professionally assessed, so a new model takes time to build a proper market with enough colour, storage, and condition options to compare.

The iPhone 17 shows how availability can develop quickly, since it launched in September 2025 and already had thousands of verified Back Market UK reviews and live refurbished listings by August 2026.

Buy a refurbished iPhone 17 or 16 now or wait for iPhone 18 and accept that the refurbished market will lag behind the new-phone launch.

What does refurbished mean?

A refurbished phone is a used device that has been inspected, tested, and prepared for resale rather than simply being listed as a second-hand phone. At Back Market, devices are professionally inspected and guaranteed to be 100% functional, while listings show condition grades and battery options so buyers can balance cosmetic condition, battery needs, and price.

Back Market UK currently offers a 12-month seller warranty and 30-day returns on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 listings researched for this article. Prices can change, so the figure shown on a product page is the useful reference when you are ready to buy.

A refurbished iPhone in the right colour can give you the same model experience for less than buying new, provided you choose the condition and battery option that suit you.

Final thoughts

✨ Burgundy is the colour that sets the iPhone 18 Pro apart. For everyone else, the refurbished iPhone 17 is the better all-round choice today, while the iPhone 16 offers the clearest route to a lower price.

The iPhone 18 Pro colour story is now confirmed. Apple announced Burgundy, Glacier, Black, and Silver on 9 September 2026, with pre-orders open from 12 September and the phone on sale from 18 September in the UK. Burgundy stands out because it's a meaningful departure from the bright Cosmic Orange on the iPhone 17 Pro — a deep, wine-red finish that looks different from anything in the recent Pro lineup. Black returns after a one-year absence, Glacier offers a lighter alternative to earlier Pro blues, and Silver carries over as the familiar neutral.

The standard iPhone 18 wasn't announced alongside the Pro models, so its colours are still unknown.

For Back Market shoppers, the more useful question is what to buy while refurbished iPhone 18 Pro stock builds. The refurbished iPhone 17 is the strongest middle ground — it has five confirmed colours, an A19 Pro chip, a 120Hz ProMotion display, and thousands of verified customer reviews on Back Market UK. The iPhone 16 is the best-value iPhone if price is the priority and a 60Hz display is acceptable.

If Burgundy is the reason you want an iPhone 18 Pro, you don't have to wait long. If you want a great iPhone today, refurbished iPhone 17 stock is ready now.