New renders showing a red-colored iPhone Ultra have been debunked by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who claims they didn’t come from Apple but instead were made by Xiaomi. The images first appeared via leaker Evan Blass on X (formerly Twitter), presenting what seemed like official visuals of Apple’s upcoming foldable model—including one in a vivid red hue.
Gurman stated the renders are not genuine pictures of Apple’s foldable. He emphasized that Apple isn’t expected to offer a red or even green finish for the device. Instead, the company plans to focus on more traditional tones.
What the Rumors Say
According to the latest reporting, Apple is planning to limit the color options for its “book-style” foldable to more muted, established shades. While space gray (or darker shades such as indigo) and silver/white are firmly in the mix, black may not even make the cut in the traditional sense. Colorful options are reportedly being skipped. This contrasts with the recently circulated renders, which featured stark red and green variants.
The images that sparked the claims are believed to have originated not from Apple or its supply chain but from Xiaomi, possibly implying they were recycled or repurposed visuals. Whatever the case, they appear to be misleading—serving either as speculative mock-ups or stylized concepts rather than authentic leaks.
Apple’s Big Reveal Approaches
The uncertainty over color offerings will be cleared up soon: Apple’s annual iPhone event is scheduled for September 9, 2026, and it’s expected to bring both the foldable iPhone Ultra and the new iPhone 18 Pro models. The event will start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, held at Apple Park in Cupertino. The themed tagline this year is “Surprise and shine.”
Observers will be watching closely for the color options Apple reveals, especially given the contrast between what fans might be hoping for (bold, fun colors) and what Apple appears to be preparing (more conservative matte-like finishes).
What this means is that the red iPhone Ultra photos circulating online should be seen with major skepticism. They likely don’t reflect any real design or color scheme Apple intends to ship.
What’s next: At the September 9 event, color accuracy—with respect to what Apple officially releases—will finally be confirmed. Until then, render-based rumor mills should be taken with a grain of salt.
Analysis: This episode underlines how easy it is for high-profile leaks or renderings to generate false expectations. With Apple steering toward more restrained finishes, any leaks showing vivid or eye-catching colors—especially red or green—are running counter to what inside reports say is on the table. If the foldable Ultra drops with just muted shades, it’ll reflect Apple reigning in color experimentation—something owners of previous colorful models might find underwhelming. But it fits within Apple’s recent pattern of polishing its aesthetic identity toward luxurious minimalism. What matters most now is how consumers respond once they see the real thing in September—whether they value internal specs or the visual ‘personality’ of their device more.
