Apple seems ready to address one of the iPhone 17 Pro’s most divisive design choices. According to new reports from China, the iPhone 18 Pro will drop the two-tone rear finish introduced this year in favor of a cleaner, more unified look.
The two-tone design appeared when Apple switched to an aluminum frame with a separate glass cutout for MagSafe charging. While the materials were color-matched, their textures reflected light differently, creating a subtle split across the back. The effect was especially noticeable on brighter finishes like the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro, which became one of the most discussed models of the lineup.
That same orange variant also sparked another wave of attention when users noticed its edges fading into a lighter pink tone. Experts believe the change was caused by uneven anodization on the aluminum surface, highlighting how different materials in the two-tone setup can age or react inconsistently over time.
Now, Apple appears to be simplifying things. Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital claims the company has refined its back glass manufacturing process for the iPhone 18 Pro to minimize the color difference between aluminum and glass. The result would be a smoother, more consistent rear design that brings back the uniform aesthetic of earlier Pro models.
Apple is also said to be exploring new color finishes, including burgundy, coffee, and purple, while scaling back from the brighter experimental tones used this year. Another leak suggests that the updated Ceramic Shield glass could feature a faintly transparent layer for subtle visual depth without compromising its seamless look.
The shift isn’t a redesign as much as a refinement. The iPhone 17 Pro was praised for its lighter build and bold colors, but the two-tone rear divided users who preferred the minimal, uninterrupted style Apple was once known for. The iPhone 18 Pro looks set to restore that balance, uniting form and finish in a way that feels more deliberate and premium.
