New technical discussions emerge around the structural integrity of Apple’s next generation of smartphones as the development timeline progresses. A well-known tipster on the Chinese social network Weibo, identified as Fixed Focus Digital, published an important warning for potential buyers of the future iPhone 18 Pro.
According to the analyst, the device should preserve the anodized aluminum alloy construction of its predecessor. This choice of material increases the risk of recurrence of persistent problems, such as peeling and premature wear of paint in the new color options.
Although the material was chosen to ensure efficient thermal dissipation for managing the chipset, the durability of the external pigmentation layer remains the weak point of the design. The warning suggests that consumers who have not had contact with the aesthetic issues of the past generation should be cautious when choosing the shades that will be launched this year.
The change in engineering and aesthetics guideline was implemented in the previous cycle, when Apple opted for an anodized aluminum unibody design on the iPhone 17 Pro, replacing the titanium bezels used for two years in a row.
Immediately after the start of official sales of the iPhone 17 Pro, numerous reports of wear on the surface of the device appeared. Users on specialized forums noticed that the Dark Blue and Cosmic Orange variants showed scratch marks extremely easily, visible even on display units in stores just a few days after launch.
Static stress tests and abrasion tests, carried out by the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel, provided detailed data on the material’s resistance. The analyzes confirmed that the housing withstands routine contact with keys and coins well, but revealed a significant geometric weakness in the plateau that houses the camera array.
The raised, unchamfered edges of this area have shown a propensity to chip and lose paint under light impacts. Another problem mentioned by consumers was a chemical change in the Cosmic Orange color, which progressively turned pink or rose gold, leading Apple to replace devices via technical support.
The Cupertino manufacturer’s stance in the face of this scenario was also criticized. According to the informant, formal complaints of peeling made by consumers are often classified by official support as natural wear and tear or inherent characteristics of the aluminum alloy, which invalidates free warranty repair coverage.
Despite criticism and poor public reception, internal commercial projections indicate that Apple will maintain the same design standard for the iPhone 18 Pro, without changes to the painting formula. The color portfolio for this year’s line should feature four well-defined finishing variants.
The big news is the Dark Cherry shade, described as a dark and intense red, similar to wine, which will be the highlight color of the new generation. In addition, the device should hit the market in Light Blue, Dark Gray, replacing the absence of a completely black option and the classic Silver.
For the second year in a row, the brand will not offer an alternative in pure black. The expectation of the financial and technological market is that the iPhone 18 Pro and the Pro Max model will be officially announced in September 2026, sharing the stage with the reveal of the company’s first iPhone with a folding screen.
Technical characteristics designed for the iPhone 18 Pro (rumors)
- 6.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Apple A20 Pro processor
- Internal storage capacity of up to 1 TB
- 12 GB of RAM memory
- 18 MP front camera with autofocus
- Triple Rear Camera System:
- IP68 certified for water and dust resistance
- Dynamic Island with smaller design and Face ID under the screen
- Apple C2 modem with support for 5G satellite connection
- 4,252 mAh battery with up to 25W recharge
- iOS 27 operating system
– 48 MP main sensor with variable aperture and Sensor-Shift stabilization
– Periscope lens with 48 MP sensor
– Ultrawide lens with 48 MP sensor
