Selecting the perfect color for a new phone can be surprisingly challenging. Even though a protective case will likely obscure your phone’s color, the initial choice remains significant. Choosing a color for the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, however, doesn’t have to be tedious.
Recent months have been rife with speculation about the design of the iPhone 16 series, including the larger dimensions of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Despite these rumors, the color lineup has stayed relatively stable. Rumor has it the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will come in seven hues, while the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will offer four distinct colors.
Although Apple’s 2024 WWDC presentation shed little light on the next iPhone generation, we anticipate a full reveal in September. This unveiling is expected to confirm the color palette. Nonetheless, the myriad of leaks and rumors has given us a decent preview of the color options for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. Here, we’ve compiled everything we know so far about the available colors for these models.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
According to recent statements, the iPhone 16 is set to debut in seven distinct colors, maintaining five hues from its predecessor, the iPhone 15. The lineup will continue to feature Black, Pink, Blue, Yellow, and Green, with these colors expected to mirror the vibrancy of the previous generation. For example, the green will likely be a refreshing “mint” shade, while the blue could resemble the lightness of sky blue. Although details on the two novel colors, white and purple, remain sparse, speculation suggests they will be notably bright, with the white possibly leaning towards a silver hue.
Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo hinted in a post on X that Apple might revise the iPhone 16’s color palette, potentially substituting the yellow for a white variant, which could see a return to the “Starlight” designation used for the white variant of the iPhone 13.
A leaked image shared by Sonny Dickson reveals five of the anticipated colors, though the rumored yellow and purple are conspicuously absent, leaving us to wonder about their final appearance. Despite the mystery, this peek confirms the continuation of Apple’s trend towards bright, eye-catching colors for its devices.
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iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Colors
(Image credit: Science & Knowledge/YouTube)
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to come in four colors, with Black, White, and Grey being three confirmed shades. The fourth color is the subject of speculation, possibly being a unique blend of Cement Grey and Desert Yellow or alternatively, a Grey and Rose mix.
Reports suggest that the Space Black for the iPhone 16 Pro series will closely resemble the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s Space Black, while the White option is expected to be akin to the Silver variant seen on the iPhone 14 Pro. The exact tone of Grey remains a mystery but might lean towards the natural Titanium hue found on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Unfortunately, it seems the Blue Titanium color won’t be making a comeback.
Speculation is also rife that Apple may abandon the brushed Titanium finish seen on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max in favor of a smoother, glossier look. This change would give the iPhone 16 Pro models an appearance more reminiscent of past stainless steel designs while retaining Titanium’s renowned durability. However, this rumor is yet to be confirmed and should be approached with caution.
Further rumors indicate that Apple has decided against featuring a Blue Titanium color option for the iPhone 16 Pro series, opting instead for a Rose color. This aligns with another leak suggesting a return of the Rose Gold color, purportedly replacing the Blue Titanium variant, as stated by leaker Baby Sauce.
These rumors highlight the anticipation and speculation surrounding the color options for the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro series, underscoring Apple’s evolving design aesthetic.
Exploring iPhone 16 Colors: A Comparison with Apple’s Recent Palette Choices
Now that we have a good idea of the color options, we can add them to our table of recent iPhone color options for comparison to phones dating back to the iPhone 12.
Standard Models Pro Models iPhone 16 Black, blue, pink, yellow/white, green, white, purple Rose/desert yellow, gray, space black, white iPhone 15 Black, Blue, Pink, Green, Yellow Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium iPhone 14 Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, [Product] Red Space Black, Gold, Silver, Deep Purple iPhone 13 Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Pink, [Product] Red Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue iPhone 12 Black, White, Purple, Green, Yellow, [Product] Red Space Gray, Gold, Silver, Midnight Green
It should be mentioned that the table above does not include the later addition for the iPhones, such as the yellow iPhone 14.
The most striking distinction lies in the sheer variety of choices offered for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Unlike most models that feature around five options, the upcoming generation of iPhones boasts seven. Apple seems set to maintain its trend of opting for simpler names than those of previous models. The increased number of color options undeniably benefits consumers, though it’s possible some may be discontinued prior to release.
Currently, our only option is to patiently await Apple’s official announcement, anticipated to coincide with the release event expected in September. However, in the interim, stay tuned to our iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro hubs, which we regularly update with the latest news and rumors leading up to the eventual launch.
