Emerging Issues with the iPhone 17 Pro: Discoloration and Scratching Concerns
Apple’s latest flagship, the iPhone 17 Pro, has been making waves for its impressive features such as a telephoto camera and a new Camera Control button. However, it seems that one of the most surprising aspects of the device has remained under the radar — its ability to change color.
In recent days, users have reported an unusual defect on ‘Cosmic Orange’ versions of the iPhone 17 Pro, which turns the phone into a pink hue. On TikTok, a user shared footage of an affected iPhone 17 Pro, which is priced at £1,099/$1,099 and has only been available for a month. She remarked, “Oh my gosh, is this makeup? The cellphones were originally orange and have become pink.”
The cause of the discoloration remains unclear, but Lee Elliott, chief product officer at Compare and Recycle, suggests that UV damage or oxidation could be the culprits. “General wear and tear can be expected over time, but such adverse changes within days of owning a brand-new model is alarming,” he said.
A TikTok video shared by @Digi_Cell in Indonesia has gone viral, amassing over 2.2 million views in the past 48 hours. In the clip, the smartphone user turns the iPhone in her hands to reveal patchy blotches of pink on the camera bump and along the edges. She questions, “Is the phone already oxidized like this even though the iPhone 17 Pro series hasn’t even been around for a month?”
Meanwhile, Reddit user @DakAttack316 has shared multiple photos of his iPhone 17 Pro Max with a similar discolouration. He denied accusations that he had used Photoshop to create the two-tone effect. “I originally posted that my Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max turned Rose gold and I saw comments that said it was fake, I used Photoshop, etc. So to update, the phone has turned a more solid Rose Gold color, and I could not imagine a sadder existence than photoshopping iPhone pics.”
Pricing and Color Options for the iPhone 17 Series
- iPhone 17: Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, Black – £799/$799
- iPhone 17 Pro: Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue – £1,099/$1,099
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue – £1,199/$1,199
- iPhone Air: Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, Space Black – £999/$999
(Prices vary depending on storage; above are starting prices)
As the video and photos show, discolouration is located on the phone’s edges and camera bump, which are made of aluminium, while the Ceramic Shield – a glass-ceramic material featuring the embossed Apple logo – has stayed largely orange.
If the problem is oxidation, it might be caused by the minerals on our fingers, according to Mr. Elliott. He suggested using a case for the back of the phone that covers the aluminium frame, which seems to be a hotspot for discolouration.
“To try protect your new iPhone from inevitable damage, consider cases that have a raised lip that overlaps and extends slightly into the bezel of the screen but not too obstructive for interaction with the screen,” Mr. Elliott said. “Similarly, pay attention to cases that also cover the entire camera plateau protecting the curves and edges.”
iPhones lose resale value if there’s anything wrong with their ‘cosmetic appearance’, the expert added – with scratches, scuffs and discolouration having an effect. “Even minimal discolouration can still result in a lower grading, which means a reduced trade-in offer,” he said.
Additional Concerns: Scratching and Chipping
It’s not the only issue users have had with the iPhone 17 Pro, which is also available in a ‘Max’ model costing £1,199/$1,199. Already, users have complained that iPhone 17 Pro models are scratching and scuffing too easily – resulting in some unsightly marks.
On X (formerly Twitter), one user in Hong Kong shared photos of his iPhone 17 Pro in the new orange colour with a white mark where a chunk of the frame had been chipped off. Another X user in Ontario, Canada, @darewecan, said he had witnessed scratches on iPhone 17 Pro models at an Apple Store, while someone else said Apple staff are refusing to replace such devices.
In his annual scratch test video, YouTuber JerryRigEverything advises customers to get a protective case for their iPhone 17 Pro models, calling ‘scratch gate’ a ‘real’ issue. In the clip, he demonstrates that the rectangular camera bar along the back of the Pro models can be easily nicked with coins and keys – although both prove highly resistant to bending.
‘There’s no way to avoid the inevitable chipping unless you never set your phone down, or get a case,’ the YouTuber says.
Key Features of the iPhone 17 Lineup
- iPhone 17
- Price: Starting at $799/£799
- Colours: Black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white
- Display: 6.3-inch ProMotion display
- Rear Camera: 48-megapixel fusion camera and 48-megapixel ultrawide camera
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Front Camera: 18-megapixel ‘Centre Stage’ camera
-
iPhone 19 Air
- Price: Starting at $999/£999
- Colours: Space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue
- Thickness: 5.6mm
- Display: 6.5-inch ProMotion display
- Rear Camera: 48-megapixel fusion camera
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Front Camera: 18-megapixel ‘Centre Stage’ camera
-
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Price: Starting from $1,099/£1,099
- Colours: Cosmic orange, deep blue, and silver
- Display: 6.3-inch or 6.9-inch ProMotion display
- Rear Camera: 48-megapixel main camera, 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 8x optical zoom
- Front Camera: 18-megapixel ‘Centre Stage’ camera
With these concerns, many are questioning whether the iPhone 17 Pro models are worth the hefty price tags of £1,099/$1,099. Are they easily scratched or chipped despite their high cost? Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max breaking the bank while also being labelled ‘ugly’ for its bold design change? Could Apple’s most expensive flagship ever, the $1,999/£1,999 iPhone 17 Pro Max, transform your tech experience? Can Apple’s iPhone 17 and its Pro models dazzle fans with bold new features like a camera upgrade and a massive 6.3-inch display? Is the new iPhone 17 Pro Max really Apple’s ultimate splurge-worthy device at $1,999, or is it a ‘cheap knock off’ disaster?
