The Apple iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which were released in the attractive Cosmic Orange color, were to be the most daring designs of this year. Some users are, however, watching it turn into a surprising pink shade, rather than an orange, vibrant color as they had initially anticipated. X (previously Twitter) and Reddit are flooded with images of the bizarre color shift, and people are confused as to whether it is a defect or a design flaw.
The mystery behind the color shift
The whole thing began when people who had bought an iPhone 17 Pro Max posted photos online of their Orange iPhones changing to pink within a few weeks. The shift is not extreme at first; it starts to tinge close to the edges of metals or the camera frame, but as time passes, the shift becomes evident. They thought that it was because of sunlight exposure or case marks, but the trend appeared to be too regular not to be an accident.
Why it might be happening
This year, Apple applied new anodized aluminum rather than titanium on the Cosmic Orange variant. Such modification assists in attaining brighter colors, although aluminum may be more exposed to chemical reactions. Mundane products such as sprays or disinfectants that are mild may also affect the coating and lead to discoloration. When a person cleans their iPhone with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide or bleach, the dye in the anodized layer may fade or change slightly to provide that pinkish appearance.
Although some users testify that they have never used the cleaning liquids, they have observed the colour change. This may imply that little details such as heat, humidity, or chemical remnants of the production process may also contribute.
⚠️ I’M FLIPING ⚠️
Some users are having their orange iPhone 17 Pro dyed pink 🤨
And they are not few. I’ll show you some videos, including some from Spain.
What do you think?
Cup | TikTok
Williamofficial . sagi
Miostoo
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Eduardbbc21 pic.twitter.com/nSln0DYPCU— Jose Morales Ros (@geekdegafas) October 14, 2025
Should you be worried?
You do not need to suspect that your iPhone 17 Pro Max is defective or that there is something wrong with it on the inside. The issue is purely cosmetic. Nevertheless, it is annoying at times because after spending a high price on a color, it no longer appears as such. This has been supported by some of the early owners stating that Apple has replaced their devices on warranty after confirming the problem, though it has not provided any official statement.
To be on the safe side, do not use very strong cleaning agents. Apple suggests soft microfiber cloths and low-moisture alcohol-based wipes, normally as a recommendation. To ensure the color lasts longer, it is always better to keep your phone out of intense light and chemicals.
A possible manufacturing glitch?
There is also a possibility that users have nothing to do with the problem. During the anodizing process, color is sealed into the metal using electric current and chemical baths.
Unless the protective sealing is flawless, the frame parts may be subjected to air and humidity to a degree that will gradually change the tone. This would make it a batch-specific problem rather than the problem of all Cosmic Orange iPhones.
iPhone 17 Pro Max in Cosmic Orange Color
Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max is by far one of the most striking designs the company has ever created, but apparently, there is a minor glitch to this beauty. Although the pinkish color does not compromise performance, it is also quite concerning how long-lasting the new Apple color is. The only thing users can do until Apple makes an official statement about the issue is to safeguard the devices in the best way that they can and hope that the bright orange glow remains.
