When Apple introduced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, what’s noticeably missing is the (PRODUCT)RED color option that Apple has offered since the iPhone 7 in March 2017. Apple again offered the red color option for the iPhone 8 the following spring, and starting with the iPhone XR, Apple has offered the same color option on day one, instead of in the mid-update cycle, when introducing the next generation of the standard iPhone such as the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12. As Apple continues to sell the iPhone SE, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus (the 13 mini was discontinued), you can still choose the red option on any of those phones if you prefer that color.
You also won’t find the same color option for any of the new MagSafe cases for any of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models, including the new FineWoven cases. However, you’ll still find that color option for Apple’s cases that it still sells for the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone SE. Apple has a history of changing the colors and sizes of the iPhone every year, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
On the Apple Watch side, Apple still offers the (PRODUCT)RED color for its upgraded Apple Watch Series 9. In fact, that’s the only new product from Apple that offers that color option. However, the only (PRODUCT)RED Watch band you can purchase from Apple is the Sport Band as Apple discontinued the rest of the (PRODUCT)RED Watch bands such as the Braided Solo Loop.
So does this mean the end of a 17-year partnership between Apple and (PRODUCT)RED? (PRODUCT)RED launched in September 2006 as an initiative starting with the iPod nano (2nd generation). When customers purchase a (PRODUCT)RED product from Apple, part of the proceeds go to fight AIDS in Africa and COVID during the pandemic. We could see a (PRODUCT)RED color option make its return on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus the following spring, similar to what Apple did with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8. However, since Apple is going all in with pastel colors with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, it seems less likely to offer that color that would differentiate from the pink color.
On the other hand, I don’t expect the (PRODUCT)RED option to go away on the next generation Apple Watch Series 10 as the Apple Watch has always been the device to check on your overall health, and promoting (PRODUCT)RED on the Apple Watch is the best way to spread this awareness for a good cause.
With that said, I don’t think the (PRODUCT)RED products from Apple are going away anytime soon now that Apple continues to sell the Apple Watch and is always looking for ways to enhance the experience to improve the users’ health, including promoting its initiatives.
Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro will be available to order on September 15 with availability starting September 22. Make sure to follow us on @Appleosophy to hear even more stories on the all-new products announced this week.
