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

✨ TL; DR

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are currently expected to come in Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Grey, and Silver, but Apple hasn’t confirmed these colours. The iPhone 18 Dark Cherry is the most interesting leak and appears to be a deep red with purple or wine tones, not a bright Product RED finish. The standard iPhone 18 colours are still unknown. If you need a phone now, a refurbished iPhone 17 is the best middle ground for most buyers, while the iPhone 16 is the lower-cost option. Wait for the iPhone 18 if you specifically want its new design or Dark Cherry colour and can wait for the launch and later refurbished stock.

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 expected iPhone 18 Pro palette changes the mood of the current Pro range. The iPhone 17 Pro comes in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver. The reported iPhone 18 Pro colours are Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Grey, and Silver. The iPhone 18 Pro Max colours are expected to be identical, since Apple has never split the palette between the two sizes.

This is one of the clearest ways to see what the leaks could mean. Apple would be moving away from the very bright Cosmic Orange and towards darker, more restrained colours, while keeping Silver as a familiar choice.

The standard iPhone 18 colours are still a big unknown

✨ The Pro colours are becoming easier to predict, but the standard iPhone 18 colours are not, so any article claiming a confirmed standard colour list right now is getting ahead of the evidence.

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.

Dark Cherry: The iPhone 18 colour worth waiting for

✨ Dark Cherry is the iPhone 18 colour to wait for if you want the biggest visual change, but it’s still a leaked colour until Apple confirms it.

Dark Cherry is the colour at the centre of the iPhone 18 Pro leaks, and it’s the one most likely to influence a buyer who is considering whether to wait. Macworld reported an internal Pantone reference of 6076 and later published images of dummy models that matched the reported shade, giving the rumour a stronger basis than a plain concept image.

The important detail is the name because Dark Cherry doesn’t appear to be a return to Apple's bright Product RED finish. Current reports describe it as a deeper red with purple or wine tones, while Macworld says the leaked shade is closer to purple than red, which suggests a burgundy or wine-like appearance rather than the vivid scarlet associated with Apple's previous Product RED devices.

“The Dark Cherry color is closer to purple than red.”- Macworld

Apple has changed colour plans late in the product cycle before. The iPhone 17 Pro had a reported colour option that didn’t make the final lineup. So even a strong leak isn’t the same as a launch confirmation.

Deep, saturated finishes like Dark Cherry also tend to need a little more care than lighter colours. Scuffs and fingerprints typically show up more visibly against a dark surface, and if reports of the same aluminium-and-glass construction as the iPhone 17 Pro hold true, buyers who go case-free should expect the same kind of wear patterns seen on darker Pro finishes in previous generations.

Reddit reaction to the Dark Cherry leak has been positive overall, with users discussing it as a more appealing alternative to Cosmic Orange.

iPhone 18 Light Blue: The softer Pro option

✨ Light Blue looks like the safest leaked choice for anyone who wants a new Pro colour without going as bold as Dark Cherry.

The reported Pantone reference is 2121, with suggestions that the colour looks similar to Sierra Blue from the iPhone 13 Pro. This is interesting for people who liked Apple's earlier blue Pro finishes but found Deep Blue too dark, and it may also appeal to people who like the current iPhone 17 Mist Blue.

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

iPhone 18 Dark Grey: The likely new classic

✨ Dark Grey is the obvious choice for buyers who want the new generation without a bold colour.

If you normally buy black, graphite, or dark titanium iPhones, this is probably the leaked colour to watch. It should also be less polarising than Dark Cherry.

Like Dark Cherry, this is a dark finish, so the same wear-and-tear considerations apply, though no one can say how well Dark Grey will age until the final phone is released and tested.

iPhone 18 Silver: The familiar choice

✨ Silver is the safe long-term choice in the reported iPhone 18 Pro range.

It’s also the one reported finish that clearly carries over from the iPhone 17 Pro, which is a useful option for buyers who don’t want their phone to look tied to one generation. A neutral finish is also easy to pair with clear, dark, or coloured cases.

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 chip, a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system, and up to 30 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?

✨ For most buyers, the refurbished iPhone 17 is the sensible middle ground. The iPhone 16 wins on price, while the iPhone 18 only makes sense if you can wait for the newest generation.

If you’re wondering which iPhone is best suited for you, the answer depends less on the colour leak than you might expect, because the most important difference is whether you want a phone that exists now or are prepared to wait for an unannounced model and then wait longer again for refurbished availability.

Choose iPhone 18 if...

• You can wait for the launch.

• You want the latest generation rather than a lower price.

• Dark Cherry is the main reason you're interested.

• You want to see the final phone before deciding.

If you choose this route, remember that launch-day refurbished stock won’t be the same as launch-day new stock. Owners need to buy the phone, use it, then trade it in before it can enter the refurbished market.

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?

✨ If your priority is buying refurbished, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 are the useful choices today. The iPhone 18 is a future option, not a current refurbished product.

Don’t expect a large refurbished iPhone 18 selection on the day Apple launches it, because Back Market's refurbished stock comes from devices that have already been bought, used, traded in, and professionally assessed. A new model therefore has to move through several stages before it becomes a normal refurbished option with enough colour, storage, and condition choices for shoppers 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

✨ Dark Cherry is the colour worth waiting for. 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 colour story is becoming clearer, but it’s still a leak story rather than a confirmed product specification. The strongest current reports point to Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Grey, and Silver for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with Dark Cherry standing out because it would represent a major visual change from the bright Cosmic Orange finish used on the iPhone 17 Pro.

The standard iPhone 18 is harder to predict because its colours have not been reliably leaked and the model itself is expected to arrive later than the Pro range, which makes it difficult to recommend waiting for a particular standard colour today.

For Back Market shoppers, the more useful question is what you should buy while you wait. The refurbished iPhone 17 is the strongest middle ground because it has five confirmed colours, an A19 chip, a 120Hz ProMotion display, and thousands of verified customer reviews, while the iPhone 16 might be the best-value iPhone if price matters most and you’re happy with a 60Hz display and an A18 chip.

So, should you wait? There's no single best iPhone 18 colour yet, since most of the lineup is still unconfirmed, but Dark Cherry is the clear favourite among early leaks if Apple sticks to the current reporting.

If Dark Cherry is the reason you want an iPhone 18 Pro, waiting is reasonable, but if you simply want a good iPhone in a colour you like, there is little reason to wait for a phone that hasn’t launched yet and will take time to build a refurbished supply.