Should I Be Concerned About the IPhone 17 Pro “color Issue”?
If you’re planning to buy a new iPhone 17 this year, you have a choice not only among a variety of models but also in several colors. However, some users who chose the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max claim that the color they chose doesn’t match what they see now. According to these users, their iPhones have changed color within a short period of ownership.
Naturally, the internet dubbed this issue the “color scandal.” Apple is certainly no stranger to such “scandals,” especially when it comes to the iPhone: there was ” Antennagate ,” when cellular service issues were reported due to the updated antennas of the iPhone 4; ” Bendgate ,” when the iPhone 6 Plus was prone to physical bending; and most recently, ” Scratchgate ,” when the aluminum case of the iPhone 17 Pro Max was easily scratched.
Now, Colorgate is back with another crackdown on the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Buyers like DakAttack316 on Reddit are claiming their Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pros have turned pink, or “rose gold,” if you prefer. It’s hard not to see why this might bother someone: Apple’s advertising of the Cosmic Orange iPhones emphasizes the bright, bold orange color. In DakAttack316’s photos, the iPhone looks more sun-bleached than anything else. The wireless charging pad remains a fairly bright orange, but the aluminum has taken on a salmon hue. The orange accents throughout the phone also appear to have suffered, with some appearing faded or dirty. Perhaps if the entire iPhone were a uniform pinkish hue, it wouldn’t look so bad, but the variety of colors in the photo makes it look like a damaged case.
iPhone 17 Pro Max update now available in pink, courtesy of u/DakAttack316 in iPhone
DakAttack316 is perhaps one of the most viral users describing this issue, but he’s not alone. Take this post, for example : the issue isn’t as pronounced, but it clearly shows how faded the orange metal is, especially when compared to another iPhone 17 Pro Max in “Space Orange.” Meanwhile, this viral TikTok post shows more selective discoloration on various elements of the iPhone 17 Pro.
It’s unclear what exactly is causing these issues and how many Space Orange iPhone 17 Pro units are affected. Some theories suggest that using the wrong solvent to clean your iPhone, such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide, could be the cause or contributing to the discoloration, as Apple states that these chemicals should not be used on iPhones. (Even if this isn’t the case, it’s always recommended to avoid using cleaning products on devices unless the manufacturer has officially approved them.)
Should people stop buying the iPhone 17 Pro in Space Orange?
No. We don’t yet know why this is happening or how widespread the problem is, but if a statistically significant number of Cosmic Orange iPhones were experiencing this issue, you’d likely see far more complaints than you currently see, especially given that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are selling better than expected .
Perhaps these users treated their iPhones with harsh chemical cleaners, or perhaps a small number of Space Orange iPhones have a manufacturing defect. Whatever the cause, it doesn’t appear to be common among the majority of devices. Compare these two Reddit posts showing pink Space Orange iPhones with this thread of users happy with their color choice. Of course, these are all just anecdotal evidence, but so far I haven’t seen any users complaining about iPhones fading in the sun.
If you do buy an iPhone 17 Pro in Space Orange and it does turn pink, take it to Apple or your carrier. Unless you cleaned it with bleach, they’ll almost certainly exchange it—hopefully for a device that won’t fade over time.