Apple tests deep‑red iPhone 18 Pro and adds satellite messaging to iPhone, report says

Apple’s satellite‑messaging feature, first introduced as an emergency‑only service, is now being rolled out for routine communication, according to Engadget. The update embeds a “satellite messaging” option directly into the Messages app, automatically prompting users when cellular and Wi‑Fi signals are unavailable. To activate the service, users must enable iMessage, pre‑configure an emergency contact, and add Family Sharing members so those contacts can reach the device via SMS without a prior iMessage thread. Engadget notes that the feature works only in locations where Apple’s satellite network has coverage, positioning it as a backup rather than a replacement for conventional messaging while still allowing hikers, offshore workers, and other off‑grid users to stay in touch with friends and family.

The color palette for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is also evolving. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, cited by 9to5Mac, says Apple is actively testing a “deep‑red” finish for the next Pro model. The shift follows the iPhone 17 Pro’s move to an all‑aluminum unibody, which gives Apple greater flexibility in applying new hues. Gurman points out that the current “Cosmic Orange” option has proved popular—especially in China—so Apple may retain it while adding deep red as an additional flagship shade. He cautions that red and orange sit adjacent on the color wheel, which could make the two options feel redundant, but the report suggests both could survive if market response warrants it.

If the deep‑red variant proceeds, it would mark the first true “Pro” red since the iPhone 14 Pro’s discontinued red finish in 2022, a change that many long‑time fans have lamented. Gurman also mentions rumors of purple and brown variants, describing them as “just variants of the same red idea,” indicating that Apple’s color strategy may be consolidating around a narrower, more premium palette rather than proliferating a wide spectrum of shades.

In contrast, Apple’s forthcoming foldable device—dubbed the iPhone Fold—appears to be taking a more conservative approach to aesthetics. Gurman reports that the company plans to “stay away” from “fun colors,” reverting to classic dark‑gray or black finishes reminiscent of early iPhone designs. This divergence suggests Apple is positioning the Fold as a work‑oriented, understated product, while using the iPhone 18 Pro’s bold color options to drive consumer excitement and differentiate the two lines.

Analysts see the satellite‑messaging expansion as a modest but strategic enhancement to Apple’s ecosystem. By embedding non‑emergency satellite communication into the core Messages app, Apple deepens the value proposition of its hardware for users who travel to remote areas, potentially nudging a segment of the outdoor‑gear market toward iPhone adoption. Meanwhile, the deep‑red color test reflects Apple’s ongoing effort to inject fresh visual appeal into its premium lineup without fragmenting inventory—a balance it has struggled with in recent years, as highlighted by CNET’s commentary on the polarizing reception to the iPhone 17 Pro’s orange hue. Both moves underscore Apple’s dual focus on incremental hardware differentiation and ecosystem lock‑in as it prepares for the 2026 product cycle.