The arrival of Burgundy on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max gives Apple’s latest flagship phones a noticeably different visual identity. The new finish joins Black, Silver and Glacier, with the devices becoming available in the UAE on September 18, 2026.
Apple’s colour choices have become more than a small specification listed near the bottom of a product page. For an iPhone that may remain visible on a desk, in a handbag, in photographs or on a café table, the finish is part of the product’s outward identity.
The Burgundy option makes that particularly clear. Apple describes the new Pro models as having colour-matched back glass, with Burgundy presented as one of the four finishes available for both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
From black and silver to brighter iPhones
Apple’s early iPhone designs largely stayed within restrained finishes. That began to change more visibly with the iPhone 5c in 2013.
The iPhone 5c was offered in blue, green, pink, yellow and white, giving Apple’s smartphone lineup a much more colourful alternative to the iPhone 5s finishes of gold, silver and space grey.
Two years later, Apple took another step with the iPhone 6s. The company introduced rose gold as a new metallic finish, alongside gold, silver and space grey.
Rose gold became particularly notable because it connected the phone’s appearance with a broader consumer design trend. The finish was not simply another technical specification; it became one of the visual characteristics people associated with that generation of iPhone.
When colour carried a message
Colour has also occasionally been connected to Apple’s wider campaigns.
In 2017, Apple introduced a red aluminium finish for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus as a (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition. Apple said the product was part of its partnership with (RED) and contributed to efforts supporting the Global Fund.
The red iPhone therefore had a different role from a standard finish. Its colour was connected not only with appearance but also with the product’s charitable positioning.
The (PRODUCT)RED option remained part of the regular iPhone range for several generations. Apple included it among the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus finishes in 2022.
The Pro range gets bolder
Apple’s Pro models traditionally leaned toward more understated finishes than some of the standard iPhones. That changed noticeably with the iPhone 17 Pro generation.
For 2025, Apple introduced the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in deep blue, cosmic orange and silver. Cosmic Orange was particularly conspicuous for a Pro model, giving the premium range a much stronger colour statement.
The iPhone 18 Pro generation continues that direction.
This year’s four finishes are Black, Silver, Glacier and Burgundy. Apple also uses the Burgundy colour across some of its accompanying accessories, including selected cases and other MagSafe products.
That broader colour ecosystem matters because the phone is rarely used completely on its own. Cases, wallets and other accessories can either conceal the original finish or reinforce it.
Why Burgundy stands out
Burgundy occupies a different visual space from the brighter Cosmic Orange introduced with the previous Pro generation.
Apple’s Burgundy is a deep red-toned finish, while Glacier provides a much lighter alternative. Alongside Black and Silver, the four options give buyers a fairly broad choice between traditional and more expressive looks.
For consumers, that means choosing an iPhone can involve two separate decisions: which technology they want and which appearance they want to live with.
That distinction is increasingly relevant for premium smartphones. A device that costs substantially more than many everyday electronics is also something users carry constantly, photograph frequently and display publicly.
The colour is part of the product experience
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are not defined only by their finishes. Apple has also introduced a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture, a smaller Dynamic Island, the A20 Pro chip and other hardware and software changes.
But colour occupies an unusual position in a smartphone launch. Camera specifications and processor details require explanation; a colour can be understood immediately.
That makes a new finish particularly effective as a visual part of a product launch. It can appear in photographs, social posts, store displays and accessories without requiring consumers to understand the underlying technology.
For Apple, Burgundy is therefore more than a new swatch on a specification sheet. It is another indication of how smartphone design has moved from simply making devices look premium to giving buyers more visible choices about how those devices fit their personal style.
With the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max now on sale in the UAE, shoppers can choose between the restrained look of Black or Silver, the lighter Glacier finish, or the more distinctive Burgundy option.
What colours does the iPhone 18 Pro Max come in?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is available in Black, Silver, Glacier and Burgundy, according to Apple.
Is Burgundy available on the iPhone 18 Pro as well?
Yes. Apple offers Burgundy on both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
When did Apple introduce the Burgundy iPhone?
Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, including the new Burgundy finish, on September 9, 2026.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro Max available in the UAE?
Yes. The UAE was included among the first-wave markets, with availability beginning September 18, 2026.
Was Rose Gold previously available on an iPhone?
Yes. Apple introduced Rose Gold as a new metallic finish with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in 2015.
Which iPhone first brought Apple’s colourful 5c design?
The iPhone 5c, launched in 2013, came in blue, green, pink, yellow and white.
Did Apple previously offer a red iPhone?
Yes. Apple introduced the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition in 2017 and later offered (PRODUCT)RED on models including the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
What colour was introduced for the iPhone 17 Pro?
Apple introduced Cosmic Orange, alongside deep blue and silver, for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in 2025.
