iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders Reveal a Surprise Favorite: Burgundy Is Selling Fast

Updated September 16, 2026

iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders opened in the U.S. on September 12, and the first shipping estimates quickly revealed an interesting pattern.

Burgundy started becoming harder to get before several other iPhone 18 Pro colors.

For buyers still deciding between Burgundy, Black, Glacier and Silver, those early numbers give us the first useful clue about which finishes are attracting the most attention.

What U.S. Pre-Order Data Is Actually Saying

During the first day of pre-orders, Burgundy stood out on the smaller iPhone 18 Pro.

Early Apple Store availability tracked by 9to5Mac showed:

The iPhone 18 Pro Max was more constrained overall, but Burgundy also stood out at 1TB. Its early delivery estimate moved to October 6–13 while some Black, Glacier and Silver 1TB versions were available sooner.

By September 14, most iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max configurations had become delayed, making later shipping dates much less useful for comparing colors.

The important signal is therefore what happened first: Burgundy tightened earlier than several comparable configurations.

Shipping time is not the same as sales volume because Apple does not disclose inventory by color. Still, it is one of the best public signals available before Apple releases broader sales data.

Why Burgundy Is Getting So Much Attention

Burgundy has one major advantage over Black and Silver: it immediately looks like a new iPhone.

Black is familiar. Silver is timeless. Glacier is lighter and more subtle.

Burgundy is much easier to identify with the iPhone 18 Pro generation.

It also avoids looking excessively bright. In softer light it appears closer to a deep wine red, while stronger light brings out more of the red tone.

Burgundy vs Black May Be the Real Choice

For buyers considering a dark iPhone 18 Pro, the most useful comparison is probably Burgundy vs Black.

Choose Burgundy if you want the phone itself to stand out and immediately look like the newest generation.

Choose Black if you prefer a neutral finish that works with almost every case, charger and MagSafe accessory.

Glacier makes more sense if you want something lighter, while Silver remains the safest long-term choice for buyers who prefer a classic Apple look.

If you want the complete specifications, colors, price and launch details, see our iPhone 18 Pro Max recap.

Before You Order Burgundy, Think About Storage Too

The color may attract the most attention, but storage has a much bigger effect on the final price.

For most buyers, the real decision is between 256GB and 512GB.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 in the U.S., and moving through the higher capacities becomes expensive quickly.

Unless you regularly record professional video or keep large files locally, buying more storage simply because you are worried about future space may not be worth it.

See our full iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB vs 512GB vs 1TB vs 2TB guide before ordering.

Regional pricing matters too. The same iPhone can cost significantly more in Europe than in the U.S., especially at higher capacities. We break that down in our iPhone 18 Pro Max price comparison.

If You Buy Burgundy, Don't Hide It Completely

There is an obvious problem with buying an iPhone specifically because you like Burgundy:

most opaque cases cover the color almost completely.

A clear case works if maximum color visibility is the priority.

An open-back design is another option if you want more of the original finish exposed while still protecting the frame and corners.

If you prefer full coverage, darker woven finishes pair particularly well with Burgundy without making the phone look overly colorful.

A New iPhone May Also Be a Good Time to Upgrade Your Charger

If you are moving from an older iPhone, your next search may be for an iPhone 18 Pro charger, 25W wireless charger or Qi2.2 MagSafe charger.

A 3-in-1 charger makes the most sense for users who regularly charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods together.

If you mainly charge in the car, heat becomes even more important because navigation, Wireless CarPlay, sunlight and wireless charging can run at the same time.

Read our iPhone 18 Pro Qi2 car charger and active cooling guide for more on that issue.

Is Burgundy Really the iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Order Favorite?

It is too early to call Burgundy the confirmed best-selling iPhone 18 Pro color.

Apple has not published sales numbers by finish, and different colors may have different production volumes.

What the early U.S. preorder data does show is simpler:

Burgundy started becoming harder to get earlier than several comparable iPhone 18 Pro configurations.

For now, that makes it one of the clearest color trends of the iPhone 18 Pro launch.

FAQ

Is Burgundy the most popular iPhone 18 Pro color?

Apple has not published an official ranking, but early U.S. preorder availability suggests Burgundy is one of the most in-demand colors so far.

Is the Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro selling out?

Some Burgundy configurations moved beyond launch-day delivery early in the preorder period. Availability still varies by storage, store and retailer.

Which is better, Burgundy or Black iPhone 18 Pro?

Burgundy is more distinctive and easier to identify with the new generation. Black is more neutral and easier to match with almost any accessory.

What case looks best with Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Clear, open-back, black, charcoal and dark woven cases work particularly well. Clear or open-back designs are best if you want the Burgundy finish to remain visible.

Is 256GB enough for iPhone 18 Pro Max?

256GB is enough for most users who rely on iCloud and do not regularly record large amounts of professional video. Heavy 4K or ProRes users may benefit from 512GB or more.

What charger should I buy for iPhone 18 Pro?

A MagSafe or Qi2.2 charger is a convenient option. A 3-in-1 charger is useful if you also use an Apple Watch and AirPods.