Is Your iPhone 17 Cosmic Orange Turning Pink? Netizens Are Buzzing About It — Here's Why and What Apple Said About It

It was meant to be one of Apple's boldest colour choices yet. The iPhone 17 in Cosmic Orange turned heads at launch, marketed as a vibrant, standout shade for those who wanted something different. Now, netizens are buzzing about theiriPhone 17 Cosmic Orange turning pink.

Multiple users have turned to social media—from Reddit threads to viral TikToks—to share photos and videos of their vibrant orange phones fading into a 'rose gold' or hot pink hue. Some are frustrated by the unexpected change and others are embracing the new look.

The buzz about the colour of the iPhone 17 Cosmic Orange turning pink started with a Reddit post by DakAttack316, who shared photos of their iPhone 17 Pro Max. The phone's back glass remained orange, but the anodised aluminum frame had shifted into a distinct, uniform pink. Since then, dozens of similar reports have surfaced on social media.

On TikTok, multiple iPhone users also shared their experience of colour-changing phones. Many complained and were disappointed about the unexpected colour change, but some welcomed the transformation, especially those partial to pink.

I’m going to the Apple Store tomorrow because of an issue with my battery so this will be really fun to bring up#orangeiphone#iphone#iphone17promax#apple#screaming

My iPhone 17 Pro Max (Cosmic Orange) turned PINK after 2 months…#iphone17promax#apple

Damn these orange iPhones 17 pro max turns pink is crazy#iphone17promax#fyp#explore

But why exactly is the iPhone 17 Cosmic Orange changing into pink? The most likely explanation is chemical reaction. Apple's orange finish is achieved through a porous anodising process. If it comes into contact with certain household cleaners or even some heavy-duty hand sanitisers, the chemicals can strip the yellow pigments, leaving a pinkish base behind. According toMashable, 'when that oxide layer interacts with a peroxide-based cleaner, it could lead to discoloration of the metal underneath.'

Some users insist they never used cleaning products, suggesting a 'manufacturing hiccup.' In these cases, experts suspect that a flaw in the sealant layer may allow UV rays to break down the orange dye, causing it to fade prematurely.

OnApple's website, the company has a support document warning against the use of bleach or hydrogen peroxide on devices.

Source: International Business Times UK