Final yr, a Reddit thread emerged exhibiting {that a} consumer’s iPhone 17 Professional coloration had remodeled from the as soon as vibrant Cosmic Orange coloration that it was imagined to be to a wild pink tone. I used to be skeptical at first, but it surely seems it is true. In an earlier model of this text, I attacked my cellphone with numerous chemical substances, however little appeared to alter. However once I put my cellphone towards a recent iPhone 17 Professional Max at this yr’s MWC, the distinction was clear: mine was now vivid pink. This is what occurred and what you are able to do to guard yours.
As PCMag’s Eric Zeman famous, discoloration might be brought on by cleansing substances that have an effect on a cellphone’s end, with oxidation being accountable for the colour shift from cosmic orange to sizzling pink. Certain, this may technically be a fault, however in all honesty, I like pink telephones (keep in mind the pink Moto Razr V3?) and the concept of a sizzling pink iPhone 17 Professional crammed me with pleasure. Pink is on the rise, and I could not be happier. Whether or not it is the “blush” MacBook Neo, the tender pink iPhone 17E or the gorgeous pink Nothing 4A Professional (heck, I will throw in my very own current Leica Q3 43 customization for good measure), the softer shade of spring might be seen sprouting in tech all over the place.
So I examined the speculation with numerous cleansing fluids.
It is necessary to notice that the iPhone 17 Professional I used was bought by CNET for testing. Had I paid over $1,000 of my very own cash, I’d by no means be so reckless as to smear it with chemical substances that would doubtlessly do it irreparable hurt. And also you should not both. If it is advisable to clear your cellphone, do it safely. Disclaimer apart, let’s dive in.
Don’t do what I do. Maintain this away out of your cellphone.
The chemical substances
I first purchased two chemical substances to check this out. Zeman explains that oxidation could have triggered the colour to alter and that hydrogen peroxide may do that. I could not discover this over-the-counter within the UK on the time (however extra on this later), so I as a substitute purchased an “oxy-active” stain remover spray that, amongst different issues, accommodates “oxygen-based bleaching brokers,” which sounded splendid. Apple clearly states on its assist web page, “do not use merchandise containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide, so naturally, I purchased some thick bleach, too.
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Oxy utility
I began by spraying the oxy cleaner on a microfiber material till it was noticeably moist from the liquid. I then liberally utilized it all around the rear of the iPhone. The Reddit consumer with the affected cellphone confirmed that it solely affected the metallic elements, not the glass again panel, so I made certain to focus my consideration on the edges and digicam bar.
Smearing on the chemical substances with a material.
With the cellphone effectively and really doused in chemical substances that haven’t any enterprise being anyplace close to a cellphone, I left it to sit down and take into consideration what it had finished for half-hour — after which period I wiped it dry and took an in depth inspection. Disappointingly, my cellphone was nonetheless manufacturing unit orange, slightly than “what the hell have you ever finished to your cellphone” pink. Time to maneuver on.
Bleach blast
I opened the bleach and, making an attempt onerous not to consider my days as a middle-school cleaner, utilized a liberal blob of the stuff to a material. Once more, I smeared it over the defenseless cellphone, concentrating once more on the metallic areas. I undoubtedly ought to have worn protecting gloves for all of this, so please be sure you take higher care of your self than I do should you do something with bleach.
Once more, I gave it a 30-minute settling-in interval earlier than cleansing it off and inspecting the outcomes. The cellphone remained as orange as ever, trying as field recent because it was the day earlier than when it was, certainly, field recent.
The orange iPhone 17 Professional survives, unscathed, and doubtless a bit cleaner.
Hydrogen Peroxide FTW
Whereas I could not discover hydrogen peroxide in retailers within the UK, it was available on Amazon. I purchased a bottle and, utilizing a bit of kitchen towel, rubbed some liberally across the cellphone’s metallic elements. I did this a couple of occasions, leaving it to air dry between purposes. I used to be disillusioned at first that I did not actually see the orange rework into sizzling pink, however over time, I did discover that, in the fitting mild, there was a extra pinkish hue happening.
However it felt refined, and in some lighting, it simply seemed as orange as ever. However a couple of weeks later, throughout Cellular World Congress 2026, I in contrast the cellphone with Patrick Holland’s cosmic orange iPhone 17 Professional Max, and that is when the distinction turned wildly obvious. Mine wasn’t only a slight shift to pink; it seemed like I would purchased a totally completely different coloration variant. All of the metallic surfaces seemed vibrantly pink towards the orange of Patrick’s mannequin, with solely the glass elements — and the non-metallic slits of the antennas — remaining orange.
Aspect-by-side, it is clear that my cellphone has modified coloration utterly.
Is the pink iPhone 17 actual?
My first model of this text needed to conclude that perhaps the colourful pink iPhone seen on Reddit wasn’t the true deal. Or that one thing had gone mistaken inside Apple’s manufacturing, and that the shopper had merely purchased a defective mannequin. However lastly seeing my chemically-treated cellphone towards a recent Cosmic Orange mannequin actually confirmed me what can occur to a cellphone if not taken care of correctly.
So sure, it is completely attainable for an iPhone 17 Professional to show from orange to pink. However the actuality is that this is not going to be a difficulty for the overwhelming majority of homeowners, and I do not consider this may be thought of any form of fault on Apple’s aspect. Apple’s steering could be very clear that robust chemical substances shouldn’t be used on its telephones, and admittedly, I do not assume that is even steering that must be given. What I did — completely on function — was to assault the cellphone with chemical substances so potent that I could not even purchase them in retailers.
You probably have an orange iPhone and need to preserve it that approach, my recommendation is straightforward: Do not cowl your cellphone in hydrogen peroxide. You are welcome. Certain, I am being flippant, but it surely’s price protecting in thoughts that hydrogen peroxide might be present in different merchandise, together with hair dyes, so it is attainable you could have some in your fingers after which decide up your cellphone to reply a name with out pondering. A case will surely assist additional shield your cellphone.
However in any other case, I do not assume it is advisable to fear about protecting your cellphone in its authentic orange state. In fact, should you merely need a pink iPhone 17 Professional, then that is one other matter completely, however my steering stays that smearing your cellphone in harmful chemical substances is senseless. It may do critical hurt to you and your cellphone, and also you’re significantly better off simply hoping that Apple launches a brand new pink iPhone Professional in September. And it would — it has simply launched a pink iPhone 17E, in any case.
