iPhone 17 Pro: Tests dispel concerns about discoloration

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The iPhone 17 Pro in "Cosmic Orange" has been extremely popular since its release. At the same time, however, a very real concern arose: reports and photos online suggested that the casing could turn pink or rose gold. Now, tests have been conducted that put this into perspective and make the situation seem considerably less dramatic.

The uproar was sparked at the end of last year by a Reddit post. A user shared a photo of their iPhone 17 Pro in "Cosmic Orange," which appeared to have turned pink. Shortly afterward, other examples surfaced. This created the impression that the new iPhone 17 Pro color might be prone to discoloration.

The key point: While discoloration has been reported, there is a plausible explanation directly related to cleaning products and Apple's care instructions. And there is a practical test that demonstrates how likely such an effect really is in everyday use.

What was reported exactly: Pink and rose gold on the iPhone 17 Pro

The affected devices were iPhone 17 Pro models in "Cosmic Orange." Some owners reported that the casing changed color over time, either turning pink or rose gold. This was the specific allegation that gained further attention after the Reddit post.

Apple's cleaning instructions are the most likely explanation

The most likely explanation can be found in a warning that Apple published on its support website. It concerns cleaning and disinfecting agents and what should not be used on the iPhone 17 Pro.

Apple explicitly warns against products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. It is also recommended to prevent moisture from entering any openings. Furthermore, the iPhone should not be immersed in cleaning agents. After disinfection, the device should be wiped with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth using only water.

The reasoning behind this is understandable: hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent. This was precisely the explanation given for possible discoloration, because oxidation can alter surfaces and coatings.

The CNET test: Deliberately violating Apple's recommendations

Andrew Lanxon of CNET wanted to know how likely discoloration really is when ordinary household cleaners are accidentally used in everyday life. To test this, he repeatedly used two products that directly violate Apple's recommendations.

He bought an "oxy-active" stain removal spray that contains, among other things, "oxygen-based bleach." This aligned perfectly with Apple's warning against bleach and hydrogen peroxide. He also bought a thick bleach solution.

What's important is how the test was conducted: He applied both chemicals multiple times over a period of three months. And each time, he left them on for up to an hour. So this wasn't just brief contact, but a deliberately harsh exposure.

Result after three months: If anything, then only minimal

Despite these repeated and lengthy exposure times, he ultimately observed very little to no discoloration. His assessment was that after several months there would be no noticeable difference.

If anything, a slight color change was only noticeable under specific lighting conditions and upon very close inspection. He describes it as requiring you to hold the iPhone 17 Pro at just the right angle and perhaps even blink a little to see anything at all. At the same time, he considers it possible that he may have imagined this minimal change.

What follows from this, without sugarcoating anything?

The test does not lead to the conclusion that cleaning agents can be used without concern. Apple's warnings remain relevant, especially because certain ingredients like bleach or hydrogen peroxide can be problematic, and moisture in openings is generally risky.

But practical testing shows that even with repeated use of problematic chemicals over several months, the discoloration of the iPhone 17 Pro in "Cosmic Orange" was minimal at most. If a cloth accidentally comes into contact with a household cleaner, there's usually no need to panic.

iPhone 17 Pro: Discoloration remains the exception, not the rule

The concern that an iPhone 17 Pro in "Cosmic Orange" might simply turn pink is not supported by current tests. While there have been isolated reports and photos that sparked the discussion, the most likely cause remains contact with certain cleaning chemicals, which Apple explicitly warns against. Even a deliberately harsh test with oxy-active stain remover and thick bleach over three months ultimately showed only very slight to no discoloration. Overall, this suggests that the iPhone 17 Pro in this color is unlikely to turn pink easily under normal everyday use. (Image: Shutterstock / Framesira)