Final 12 months, a Reddit thread emerged suggesting that the iPhone 17 Professional’s vibrant cosmic orange colour may someway flip shiny pink and it seems it is completely true. In a earlier model of this text I examined the Redditor’s claims by attacking my cellphone with numerous chemical substances and on the time I did not discover a lot distinction, however a few months on, issues have modified. And once I put my cellphone in opposition to a recent iPhone 17 Professional Max at MWC 2026, the distinction was clear: mine was now shiny pink. Here is what occurred and what you are able to do to guard yours. 

As PCMag’s Eric Zeman noted, discoloration could be attributable to cleansing substances that have an effect on a cellphone’s end, with oxidation being in charge for the colour shift from cosmic orange to scorching pink. Positive, this would possibly technically be a fault, however in all honesty I really like pink telephones (keep in mind the pink Moto Razr V3?) and the thought of a scorching pink iPhone 17 Pro crammed me with pleasure. So I examined the idea with numerous cleansing fluids.

It is vital to notice right here that the iPhone 17 Professional I used was purchased by CNET for the needs of testing. Had I paid over $1,000 of my very own cash, I’d by no means be so reckless in smearing it with chemical substances that would probably do it irreparable hurt. And also you should not both. If it’s worthwhile to clear your cellphone, do it safely. Disclaimer apart, let’s dive in.

The chemical substances

I first purchased two chemical substances to check this out. Zeman explains that oxidation could have brought on 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 an alternative purchased an “oxy-active” stain remover spray that, amongst different issues, incorporates “oxygen-based bleaching brokers” which sounded excellent. Apple clearly states, “do not use merchandise containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide” on its support page — so, naturally, I purchased some thick bleach too.

Oxy software

I began by spraying the oxy cleaner on a microfiber material till it was noticeably moist from the liquid. I then liberally utilized it everywhere in the rear of the iPhone. The Reddit person with the affected cellphone confirmed that it solely affected the steel components, not the glass again panel, so I made certain to focus my consideration on the perimeters and digital camera bar. 

With the cellphone properly and really doused in chemical substances that haven’t any enterprise being wherever close to a cellphone, I left it to take a seat and take into consideration what it had accomplished for half-hour — after which period I wiped it dry and took a detailed inspection. Disappointingly, my cellphone was nonetheless manufacturing unit orange, somewhat than “what the hell have you ever accomplished to your cellphone” pink. Time to maneuver on.

Bleach blast

I opened the bleach and, making an attempt arduous 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 defenceless cellphone, concentrating once more on the steel 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 if you happen to 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. 

Hydrogen Peroxide FTW

Whereas I could not discover hydrogen peroxide in outlets within the UK, it was available on Amazon. I purchased a bottle and, utilizing a chunk of kitchen towel, rubbed some liberally across the cellphone’s steel components. I did this just a few occasions, leaving it to air dry between functions. I used to be upset at first that I did not actually see the orange remodel into scorching pink, however over time I did discover that, in the correct gentle, there was a extra pinkish hue occurring. 

Nevertheless it felt refined and in some lighting it simply appeared as orange as ever. However just a few weeks later, throughout Mobile 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 appeared like I might purchased a very completely different colour variant. All of the steel surfaces appeared vibrantly pink in opposition to the orange of Patrick’s mannequin, with solely the glass components — and the non-metallic slits of the antennas — remaining orange.

Is the pink iPhone 17 actual?

My first model of this text needed to conclude that perhaps that vibrant pink iPhone seen on Reddit wasn’t the actual deal. Or that one thing had gone fallacious inside Apple’s manufacturing and that buyer had merely purchased a fault mannequin. However lastly seeing my chemically-treated cellphone in opposition to a recent Cosmic Orange mannequin actually confirmed me what can occur to a cellphone if not sorted correctly. 

So sure, it is completely potential for an iPhone 17 Professional to show from orange to pink. However the actuality is that this is not going to be a problem for the overwhelming majority of householders, and I do not imagine this may be thought-about any form of fault on Apple’s aspect. Apple’s steerage could be very clear that robust chemical substances shouldn’t be used on its telephones and admittedly, I do not assume that is even steerage that must be given. What I did — fully on objective — was to assault the cellphone with chemical substances so potent that I could not even purchase them in outlets. 

You probably have an orange iPhone and wish to hold it that means, my recommendation is straightforward: Do not cowl your cellphone in hydrogen peroxide. You are welcome. Positive, I am being flippant and it is after all price maintaining in thoughts that hydrogen peroxide could be present in different merchandise, together with hair dyes, so it is potential you will have some in your fingers after which decide up your cellphone to reply a name with out pondering. A case will surely assist shield your cellphone additional. 

However in any other case I do not assume it’s worthwhile to fear about maintaining your cellphone in its authentic orange state. In fact, if you happen to merely need a pink iPhone 17 Professional then that is one other matter fully, however my steerage stays that smearing your cellphone in harmful chemical substances is unnecessary. It may do severe 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.