When Apple launched the iPhone 17 Pro Max in Cosmic Orange, it immediately became the standout color. Bright, confident, and unlike anything in the lineup, it sold out quickly. But only a few weeks later, users started noticing something strange. Their vibrant orange phones are slowly turning pink.
It all started with a Reddit post that quickly went viral. The user shared photos showing their orange iPhone 17 Pro Max fading to pink along the aluminum frame and camera edges. The back glass, however, remained untouched. At first, people thought it was fake. Then follow-up photos showed the pink deepening, confirming the change was real.
Experts and users now believe oxidation could be behind the color shift. Apple uses anodized aluminum to protect the surface from reacting with air, but if that protective coating is even slightly uneven, the metal can change color over time. What should have been a rich orange finish is instead fading into a lighter pink hue, especially around the sides.
Online, the reaction has been equal parts confusion and amusement. Some joked that Apple had created a “limited-edition Grapefruit iPhone,” while others wondered if sunlight, temperature, or even skin contact caused the change. One commenter wrote, “Maybe Apple just invented the first color-changing iPhone.” But for many, it is simply frustrating to see an expensive phone shift shades so quickly.
Apple has not yet commented on the issue, though the reports appear limited to certain batches of the Cosmic Orange variant. Those affected are advised to avoid alcohol-based cleaners, document the fading with photos, and contact Apple Support. The company has occasionally replaced devices with confirmed coating flaws in the past.
This is not the first iPhone 17 issue to attract attention. Earlier, users reported “Scratchgate,” where the camera housing on the iPhone 17 Pro developed visible marks within days. The fading color adds another small but visible flaw to a lineup that has otherwise been praised for performance and design.
It is easy to see why this story has taken off online. The orange iPhone was meant to be bold, modern, and full of energy. Watching it quietly fade into pink feels almost symbolic. Apple wanted a color that stood out, and it still does, just not for the reason anyone expected.
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