iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Stick with Aluminum Amid Durability Concerns
▼ Summary
– The iPhone 18 Pro will reportedly keep the anodized aluminum finish introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro, despite user complaints about surface chipping and durability.
– Apple classifies chipping on the iPhone 17 Pro as normal wear and tear and an inherent characteristic of the aluminum alloy, declining replacement claims.
– The iPhone 17 Pro’s aluminum unibody design shows weaker durability on the camera plateau, which chips and scratches easily, while most of the shell holds up against everyday items.
– Some Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro models experienced a color shift to a rose-gold or pink hue, prompting device replacements by Apple Support in certain cases.
– Expected iPhone 18 Pro color options include Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver, with no black option for the second consecutive year.
Rumors are circulating that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will retain the same anodized aluminum finish introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro, even as user complaints about surface durability continue to mount. This decision reportedly stems from the company’s classification of the issue as normal wear and tear.
According to a post from Weibo leaker “Fixed Focus Digital,” surface chipping on the iPhone 17 Pro has become a frequent grievance among owners. When customers contacted Apple for help, they were reportedly told the problem could not be claimed under warranty. The company allegedly described the marks as an inherent characteristic of the aluminum alloy material and part of standard use. Crucially, the leaker added that the iPhone 18 Pro will “continue to utilize this same design approach,” despite these acknowledged weaknesses.
The shift to an anodized aluminum unibody marked a departure from the titanium frames that had defined Apple’s Pro lineup for two years. However, durability concerns emerged almost immediately after the iPhone 17 Pro launched. Early reports highlighted that Dark Blue and Cosmic Orange models seemed to scratch more easily than other finishes. MacRumors forum users noted visible marks on in-store display units within days of their release. A subsequent scratch test by YouTuber JerryRigEverything provided some context, showing that most of the anodized shell holds up well against everyday items like keys and coins. Yet the test pinpointed the camera plateau as a clear weak point, where raised, unchamfered edges chip and scratch readily.
A separate issue surfaced the following month, when a number of Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro owners reported a color shift. The aluminum frame and camera plateau allegedly drifted toward a rose-gold or pink hue, prompting some device replacements by Apple Support.
Looking ahead, rumors point to four color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. Dark Cherry is expected to be the signature new color, described as a deep, wine-like red that is considerably more muted than last year’s Cosmic Orange. For the second consecutive year, the iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to offer a black option, though the rumored gray option could come close.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are anticipated to be announced in September 2026, alongside the first foldable iPhone.
(Source: MacRumors)
