With Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event set for September 9, a fresh wave of iPhone 18 Pro leaks is offering a clearer picture of what the company may unveil, with camera upgrades and a revamped color lineup emerging as the biggest talking points.
Pro-focused camera features surface in iOS 27
According to PhoneArena, code spotted in the latest iOS 27 beta suggests Apple may be preparing several advanced tools for the Camera app, potentially giving iPhone 18 Pro users more control without relying on third-party software.
The reported additions include repeated self-timer shots, manual focus, exposure scopes, focus peaking, highlight warnings and aperture-based image correction. Exposure scopes could display histograms or waveforms while shooting, helping users judge shadows, mid-tones and highlights in real time. Focus peaking would visually mark areas that are sharply focused, while highlight warnings would flag overexposed portions of the frame.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are also rumored to feature a variable-aperture main camera. That hardware change could tie directly into aperture-based image correction, which would adjust image processing according to the selected aperture. PhoneArena notes that some of the software features could reach older iPhones, although manual focus and aperture-related tools may be limited to the new Pro models.
Dark Cherry and blue finishes appear in leaked footage
The design story is developing just as quickly. A video posted on X by La Manzana Mordida appears to show an iPhone 18 Pro Max in a deep red “Dark Cherry” finish and an iPhone 18 Pro in Light Blue inside what looks like a retail store.
There is no confirmation that the devices shown are final retail units. They could be dummy or display models, which are often supplied to retailers and accessory makers before a launch.
Separately, a Weibo leak claiming the Pro lineup has entered mass production in three finishes: sky blue, black or dark gray, and burgundy, a shade also being described as Dark Cherry. The report says silver may be dropped after appearing on every Pro iPhone generation since 2019.
Apple has not confirmed the new colors or specifications. The company’s September 9 event is expected to feature the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable iPhone. Pre-orders are rumored for September 12, with retail availability potentially beginning September 18.
