Technologies

I, for One, Welcome a Brown iPhone 18 Pro. But Only on One Condition

Commentary: If Apple steals this Motorola Razr design feature, I think a brown iPhone could be stunning and not look like poop.

The iPhone 17 Pro launch feels like it was yesterday (it was actually two months ago) and we already have rumors about the iPhone 18 Pro — the most significant of which concerns the colors it might come in. After the 17 Pro debuted in cosmic orange, deep blue and silver, scuttlebutt suggests Apple could release the iPhone 18 Pro in a strikingly different trio of hues: purple, burgundy and coffee.

Yep, you could be rocking a brown iPhone in 2026. And while I can imagine a lot of people not opting for a possible poop-colored phone, I’m for it — albeit with one condition.

The iPhone 17 Pro has a new aluminum unibody design, a change-up from the titanium frames of previous Pro models. Instead of a glass back, there’s a rectangular panel made from Apple’s Ceramic Shield, a material used on the iPhone’s display since 2020. Visualizing a coffee-colored anodized coating and coffee-tinted Ceramic Glass might not be easy, so I got help.

CNET creative director Viva Tung created a mock-up of a coffee iPhone Pro, which you can see above. Yes, it resembles coffee ice cream or a latte. Definitely not as flashy as a cosmic orange iPhone 17 Pro and not as «meh» as the titanium iPhone 16 Pro.

Tung also made a version with the Apple phone in chocolate brown. This definitely puts the iPhone into poop emoji color territory, but I’m also getting some strong LG Chocolate vibes. In his 2007 LG Chocolate review for CNET, Kent German wrote, «We were eager to find out just what type of chocolate the Chocolate really is. Is it Hershey’s or Godiva? The answer seems to lie somewhere in between. By all means, it’s beautiful.»

So here’s my condition. What if Apple were to mix up its glass and metal materials recipe and take a page out of Motorola’s book

Over the past few years, Motorola has released phones made with materials such as vegan leather, wood and Alcantara fabric. The different materials, especially on Motorola Razr models, add to its appeal. There is a wide choice of colors and textures that make the Razr comfortable to hold and satisfying to touch — compared to the cold metal and glass on other phones. Another advantage? Fabric doesn’t crack when you drop it.

So what if Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro had a light-brown or coffee-toned vegan leather back? I could even envision them replacing the Ceramic Shield cutout on the back of the 17 Pro with a similarly shaped cutout made of vegan leather. It would be like the iPhone had its own built-in case. The contrast between the light-brown faux leather and the aluminum body would make it visually pop.

It would certainly alleviate any concerns people had about the iPhone 17 Pro being prone to scratches. It would bring a warmth to an Apple product that has been lacking over the years. More importantly, an iPhone 18 Pro with a coffee-colored vegan leather back could be a way to make a brown iPhone that doesn’t make people think of poop.

Technologies

Adorn Your Wrist With a 45mm Pixel Watch 3 for Just $200 This Black Friday

Both Amazon and Walmart are selling Google’s Pixel Watch 3 for just $200, but for how long?

There are tons of reasons to pick up a new smartwatch, not the least of which is monitoring your health and tracking your fitness goals. If you’re in the Android world, there are plenty of options to choose from right now. The Pixel Watch 3 is a solid choice, and it was our favorite Android smartwatch until the new Pixel Watch 4 took its place in the lineup. But the Watch 3 still boasts some great features that can help you stay on top of your wellness goals into the new year as well. And both Amazon and Walmart are running Black Friday deals that make it significantly cheaper than the Pixel Watch 4.

Both retailers are selling the bigger 45mm model with a solid $100 discount, so you can pick one up for just $200. That’s $100 less than the Pixel Watch 4’s Black Friday price. Again, this offer is available at both Walmart and Amazon, so take your pick as to where you place your order. Just do it soon because we don’t know how long these Black Friday deals will last.

The impressive watch was previously our top Android smartwatch because of its attractive design, large screen and speedy charging. It no longer requires a Fitbit Premium membership to access your readiness score, and it has plenty of great tools for runners. However, although the watch comes with Google Assistant, it doesn’t include Gemini, Google’s AI.

Lisa Eadicicco, a former senior editor, said in her CNET review, «The Pixel Watch 3’s upgrades are enough to keep it as my top pick for a general-purpose Android smartwatch. If you’re anything like me and consider yourself a casual runner in need of a general-purpose Android watch that’s sleek and comfortable, the Pixel Watch 3 won’t disappoint.»

If this isn’t the Pixel Watch for you, take a look at our full roundup on the best Pixel Watch deals going on right now.

SMARTWATCH DEALS OF THE WEEK

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band):

$339 (save $60)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth, Graphite Band):

$280 (save $70)
Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, Wi-Fi, Matte Black):

$300 (save $50)
Garmin Venu Sq 2 GPS Smartwatch (Shadow Gray):

$150 (save $100)
CMF Watch 2 Pro Smartwatch (Blue):

$49 (save $30)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

Google Watches don’t go on sale often. These rare discounts on the Pixel Watch 3 are thanks to the release of the Pixel Watch 4 earlier this year. This deal drops the 45mm model to just $200 — a new all-time low, and a strong value for one of the most versatile Android smartwatches available.

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Technologies

I Regularly Buy Belkin Gear at Full Price, but You Can Save Up to 63% for Black Friday

Belkin makes excellent mobile accessories, from cables to wireless charging stands. Snag some of our favorites for less this Black Friday.

You can never have too many charging options, especially when you can stock up during an epic sale. We’re just hours away from Black Friday, and Belkin is offering up to 65% off its mobile accessories at Amazon. Belkin regularly shows up in our best lists, including our roundup of top wireless chargers.

The brand makes excellent gear at reasonable prices, and those prices just got even lower. Whether you’re looking for a charging station for your nightstand or a sleek power bank for travel days, there’s a Belkin Black Friday deal for you.

The Belkin MagSafe three-in-one wireless charging stand landed on our list of best wireless chargers for its impressive fast-charging performance. Our expert, David Carnoy, praised the stand’s convenient design and its ability to fast charge Apple’s entire ecosystem. That means you’ll be able to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and any AirPods with a wireless charging case — all at once. Carnoy’s only complaint was the price; however, it’s substantially discounted for Black Friday. Belkin’s MagSafe three-in-one wireless charging stand is now just $78 — 35% off the usual $120 price.

If you spend a lot of time in your car, be it a long commute or regular road trips, a good car mount is a must. The Belkin MagSafe car mount is another one of our favorite accessories. The magnets provide a strong, secure hold for your phone, and you can rotate it for easy access. The mount plus charger is currently available for $55, down from $80.

Speaking of road trips, if you’re traveling this holiday season, you definitely need a portable power bank. Belkin has a 10,000 mAh power bank with a built-in USB-C power delivery cable for $15. This 20-watt charger typically retails for $40, so you’re saving 63%. There are four colors, but this price only applies to the black model. Other colors are available for $30.

If you’ve got a Nintendo Switch 2 or you’re gifting it to a loved one, you’ll love Belkin’s Switch 2 travel case. It’s lightweight with a hard shell and has storage pockets for up to 12 game cards. Snag one right now for $22. Just make sure you click the on-page coupon to get the full discount.

Belkin also has huge discounts on headphones and earbuds if those are on your gift list this year.

Why this deal matters

Phone accessories, including chargers and earbuds, can wear quickly and are easy to lose. Third-party retailers like Belkin offer a solid selection of mobile accessories for all budgets. This Black Friday deal makes now an excellent time to shop with up to 63% off top-rated charging stations, car mounts and even headphones.