Leaker claims Apple will refine the back glass to better match the aluminium frame.
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup may offer a more cohesive, premium design.
Apple’s 2026 lineup could feature only three flagship models, including the iPhone Fold.
Apple has already received a lot of attention from enthusiasts for the iPhone 17 Pro series, particularly for the distinctive orange finish and new rear panel design. Along with their appreciation for the new hue, several fans chastised the firm for one major design decision: the uneven two-tone finish on the back.
SurveyAccording to leaker Instant Digital, Apple appears to have taken the feedback seriously. The tipster now claims that the business is aiming to better combine the aluminium frame and glass back for the next iPhone 18 Pro series, removing the discordant tones that have divided fans and critics. According to the leaker, the “back glass replacement process” for the iPhone 18 Pro would eliminate obvious material contrast, resulting in a more cohesive, premium design.
The two-tone issue came from Apple’s decision to blend glass and aluminium on the iPhone 17 Pro’s rear casing, a design influenced primarily by the placement of the wireless charging coil. While the cosmic orange colour was appealing, many users believed that the contrast in materials broke the phone’s unibody appearance.
In the meantime, the reports also suggest that Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup could see a major break from tradition. The leaks suggest that the company might release only three flagship models in fall 2026 including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumoured iPhone Fold — with the base iPhone 18 potentially delayed until early 2027.
If that schedule holds, Apple’s fall lineup would lack an entry-level iPhone for the first time in years, effectively making the iPhone 18 Pro the “starting” model at around Rs 1,09,900. Analysts believe this could pose challenges for Apple’s sales momentum, especially since the foldable iPhone is expected to cater to a niche audience.
However, insiders speculate that Apple may still move up the base iPhone 18 launch to fall 2026 to maintain its familiar four-model strategy. If not, next year’s iPhone lineup could be one of the most unconventional and riskiest in Apple’s recent history.
On the other hand, iPhone Air 2 may also see a delay as the sales are relatively poor compared to the conventional phones.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
