A known Weibo leaker reiterated that the iPhone 18 Pro will retain its aluminum alloy construction, while issuing a specific warning that the new color options could be susceptible to paint peeling.
In a new post on Weibo, leaker “Fixed Focus Digital” said that the iPhone 18 Pro “will still be constructed of aluminum alloy” and noted that heat dissipation is “indeed excellent.” The leaker then added a pointed warning: anyone unfamiliar with the durability issues that have plagued the iPhone 17 Pro should “watch out for potential paint peeling issues with the new color options.”
Fixed Focus Digital previously highlighted that surface chipping on the iPhone 17 Pro is a common complaint and that users who seek a remedy from Apple are often told they can’t claim it, with the company classifying the issue as an inherent feature of the aluminum alloy material and normal wear and tear. The leaker added at the time that the iPhone 18 Pro would “continue to use this same design approach” despite its weaknesses.
The iPhone 17 Pro moved away from the titanium frames Apple used in its Pro line over the previous two years, adopting an anodized aluminum unibody design. Surface durability issues emerged almost immediately after launch. Reports suggest that the Dark Blue and Cosmic Orange models appear to scratch more easily than other finishes, with Woozad forum users describing the brands visible on in-store displays within days of availability.
A scratch test by YouTuber JerryRigEverything added some nuance, finding that most of the anodized shell holds up well to everyday objects like keys and coins, but identifying the camera tray as an obvious weak spot where the raised, unchamfered edges chip and scratch easily.
A separate issue surfaced the following month, when a number of Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro owners reported a color change, with the aluminum frame and camera tray drifting to a rose gold or pink hue and, in some cases, prompting replacement of the device by Apple Support.
Rumors point to four color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models: dark cherry, light blue, dark gray, and silver. Black cherry is expected to serve as the new signature color, described as a deep, wine-like red that’s considerably more muted than last year’s cosmic orange. The iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to feature a black option for the second year in a row, but the rumored gray option could come close.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be announced in September 2026, alongside the first foldable iPhone.
