iPhone 18 Pro to Retain Flawed Aluminum Finish Despite Widespread Chipping Complaints

Key facts

• iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max expected September 2026 alongside first foldable iPhone.
• A20 Pro chip will be Apple's first built on a 2nm process with WMCM packaging.
• Variable aperture main camera and wider aperture Telephoto lens rumored for Pro models.
• Dynamic Island to shrink as Face ID components move under display.
• Four color options expected: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray, Silver; no black option.
• Leaker 'Fixed Focus Digital' claims iPhone 18 Pro will continue same anodized aluminum design as iPhone 17 Pro.
• ichipping on camera plateau and color shift on Cosmic Orange models.
• Apple told affected customers chipping is 'normal wear and tear' and not covered under warranty.

A Design Decision Under Fire

When Apple returned to anodized aluminum for its iPhone 17 Pro lineup last year, the move was widely seen as a nostalgic nod to earlier models. But within weeks of launch, reports of surface chipping and color fading began to surface, particularly on the camera plateau and on the Cosmic Orange and Dark Blue finishes. Now, as rumors solidify around the iPhone 18 Pro, set for a September 2026 release, the company appears determined to stick with the same material. According to the Weibo leaker known as Fixed Focus Digital, Apple has told customers who complained about chipping that the issue is an inherent characteristic of the aluminum alloy and constitutes normal wear and tear. Crucially, the leaker added that the iPhone 18 Pro will 'continue to utilize this same design approach' despite its documented weaknesses. Apple has not publicly commented on the matter.

New Colors, Same Vulnerabilities

For the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple is reportedly testing four color options: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. Dark Cherry is expected to serve as the signature new color, described as a deep, wine-like red that is considerably more muted than last year's Cosmic Orange. Notably, the lineup will not include a black option for the second consecutive year, though the rumored gray could approximate it. But the palette change may not address the underlying durability concerns. The iPhone 17 Pro's anodized aluminum shell, while resistant to everyday items like keys and coins in scratch tests conducted by YouTuber JerryRigEverything, showed a clear weak point at the raised, unchamfered edges of the camera plateau. Those edges chipped and scratched easily, a flaw that appears to be structural rather than cosmetic.

A20 Pro Chip and Camera Overhaul Promise Performance Leap

Beyond the materials controversy, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to deliver significant internal upgrades. The A20 Pro chip will be Apple's first built on a 2nm process, utilizing Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging. These advancements should yield greater-than-usual improvements in performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities over this year's A19 Pro. Camera improvements are also on the horizon. The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to feature a variable aperture main camera, offering greater control over depth-of-field, alongside a wider aperture Telephoto lens. These changes would mark a notable step forward in computational photography, though Apple has not confirmed any specifications.

Design Refinements: Smaller Dynamic Island and Unified Back

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to retain the basic sizes and designs of their predecessors, but with three key visual changes. The Dynamic Island will shrink as Face ID components move under the display, enabling the smallest display cutout in years. Apple also plans to better blend the colors of the aluminum and glass areas on the rear, addressing the polarizing two-tone look of the iPhone 17 Pro. Rumors about new colors indicate Apple is testing a variety of options, though it is too early to confirm the final palette. The bolder colors of the iPhone 17 Pro appear to have been commercially successful, which may explain the continued emphasis on distinctive hues.

Battery and Foldable Plans

Apple is also expected to increase battery size again, building on the larger batteries introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro that proved popular with users. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will be announced in September 2026, alongside the company's first foldable iPhone, which is rumored to be called the 'iPhone Ultra.' The foldable device represents a new product category for Apple, though details remain scarce. For now, the durability questions surrounding the Pro models' aluminum finish loom large. Whether Apple addresses these concerns before launch or relies on the strength of its chip and camera upgrades to carry the lineup remains to be seen.

The bottom line

• Apple is retaining anodized aluminum for the iof chipping and color shift on the iPhone 17 Pro.
• The A20 Pro chip will be Apple's first 2nm processor, promising major performance and AI gains.
• Camera upgrades include a variable aperture main lens and wider Telephoto aperture.
• The Dynamic Island will shrink as Face ID components move under the display.
• Four colors are expected: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver; no black option.
• iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launch in September 2026 alongside a foldable iPhone.