William Gallagher
A new rumor about the iPhone 16 Pro says that it will use the color-infused back glass system of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus to provide durability and better colors.
The color lineup for the iPhone 16 Pro may possibly have been leaked already, but now the same leaker claims to have more details. Specifically, the detail is of how the back of the iPhone 16 Pro will get Space Back, White, Gray, and Rose.
According to the leaker on Chinese social media site Weibo, Apple is to use the same color-infusing method for the iPhone 16 Pro that it already has for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. When the technology was introduced to those phones in 2023, Apple said it was an "industry first."
"For the first time in a smartphone, colour is infused throughout the back glass, creating five beautiful colours," said Apple in September 2023. "The back glass is strengthened with an optimised dual-ion exchange process before being polished with nanocrystalline particles and etched to create a luxurious, textured matte finish."
"A new contoured edge on the aerospace-grade aluminium enclosure feels even nicer in users' hands," it continued.
If the rumor is correct, it would mark an unusual step for Apple of a feature being introduced in the non-Pro iPhones first. Ordinarily, Apple works to distinguish the iPhone Pro models by giving them the latest technology.
Usually, what happens is that the superior technology debuts in the iPhone Pro models, and then in subsequent years trickles down to the regular ones. In this case, however, the color-infusing technique is different to what Apple has used on the iPhone 15, not necessarily better.
This leaker has increased their posting of Apple rumors this year, but still does not have a strong track record for accuracy.
Also, rumors about colors of the iPhone 16 Pro have varied. A separate leak in February 2024 claimed that Apple would release it in yellow or cement colors.
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
4 Comments
The only iPhone 15 color worth having is black, the others are hideous pastels.
Nah. Titanium Brushed Natural, but to each his own and if you put it in a case, what color matters?
Why not offer custom backs? The iPhone 15 series have backs that are much easier to replace.
Couldn't Apple offer high quality backs with more colors, patterns, corporate designs,... ? Personalized plates on cars are popular. Why wouldn't they be on phones?