When Apple launched the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro earlier this year, it instantly stood out. Bold, bright, and impossible to miss, it was meant to make a statement. But one Reddit user’s experience has given that statement a strange twist.
Social media is abuzz with photos of a Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro that has now turned pink.
A new “problem” for the iPhone 17 Pro?
Not too long ago, Apple had to dismiss talk about the iPhone 17 Pro’s scratch resistance. Now, it is the colour that has caught everyone’s attention. According to a Reddit post, the user’s Cosmic Orange model gradually faded into a pinkish hue.
The rear glass reportedly remains orange, but the aluminium frame has developed a rose-gold tint, which is not the look Apple advertised. Some Reddit users were convinced the image was edited, while others suggested it might be a rare oxidation issue. A few even joked that he should sell it online as a “limited-edition” version.
What could have caused it?
Apple Insider and other outlets believe the cause is likely chemical rather than digital trickery. The fading could be due to oxidation or a flaw in Apple’s anodisation process, which is used to colour the iPhone’s metal frame.
In simple terms, the protective coating on the metal may have reacted with an external substance. And that substance could easily be found in something as ordinary as a household cleaner.
Blame the cleaning products, not the phone
Apple has long warned users against cleaning their devices with products that contain bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Both can react with anodised aluminium and cause discolouration. Instead, the company advises using wipes with 70 per cent isopropyl or 75 percent ethyl alcohol disinfecting wipes.
Anything stronger can harm the finish or scratch the surface. It is quite possible that the phone’s owner used a peroxide-based cleaner or handled such a product before touching the device, which could have triggered the colour change from orange to pink.
Lesson learned: Follow Apple’s cleaning advice
This might make for an entertaining Reddit thread, but it is an expensive mistake to repeat. The iPhone 17 Pro’s finish is designed to be durable but not invincible. Using the wrong cleaner can literally change its colour.
So if you value your phone’s original look, stick to Apple’s recommended cleaning methods. Otherwise, your Deep Blue iPhone might one day turn into some shade of purple.
