Colorgate Explained: Why the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Turns Pink

Apple’s latest hardware drama, unofficially dubbed “Colorgate,” has taken the tech world by storm – and this time, it’s all about color chemistry gone rogue. Owners of the flashy Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro are finding that their devices are slowly turning pink, sparking confusion, frustration, and a flurry of Reddit posts showing off the bizarre transformation. While the new shade may look trendy to some, for those who shelled out over a thousand dollars, it feels more like a nightmare than an aesthetic upgrade.

Photos shared online show the orange finish fading into a deep rose or reddish-gold hue, depending on lighting.

The phenomenon isn’t widespread yet, but it’s real enough to draw the attention of materials engineers and industry analysts. Experts warn that this kind of discoloration isn’t just a cosmetic nuisance – it could affect the resale value of the iPhone 17 Pro. Since Apple uses color as a key part of its premium design identity, any alteration to that pristine finish can downgrade the phone’s trade-in grade significantly.

The question now is – why is it happening? Many users speculate they might have accidentally caused the shift by using the wrong cleaning agents. Apple’s recent Pro models use anodized aluminum rather than the polished titanium found in earlier generations. This manufacturing choice allows for vibrant finishes like Cosmic Orange, but it also introduces a hidden vulnerability: anodized aluminum is porous. That porosity helps the material soak up dye, locking in those saturated hues – but it also means the surface can react to chemicals far more easily than denser metals.

According to several materials experts, the prime suspect is hydrogen peroxide – a chemical common in disinfectants and some cosmetic wipes. When used on anodized aluminum, peroxide can cause serious fading and dye breakdown. Historical data backs this up: engineers studying anodized parts as far back as 2013 noted that hydrogen peroxide severely bleaches colored aluminum surfaces, especially in sterile environments like hospitals. In short, if you’ve wiped your iPhone down with a disinfectant that contains peroxide or bleach, you may have inadvertently triggered your own Colorgate incident.

Apple’s official cleaning guidelines lend further credibility to this theory. The company specifically warns against products containing hydrogen peroxide or bleach, while recommending isopropyl and ethyl alcohol wipes instead. This subtle but important detail highlights that Apple is well aware of how sensitive its anodized finishes are. Though a few users insist that sunlight or skin oils might also be responsible, chemical exposure remains the most scientifically grounded explanation. Even brief contact with the wrong solution could start a slow color shift as the surface dye breaks down at a molecular level.

So, if you’re one of the proud owners of a Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro, consider this a public service announcement: clean gently, avoid anything with peroxide, and maybe keep your fancy new phone out of direct sunlight. After all, nobody wants to wake up one morning to find their expensive orange iPhone blushing a permanent pink.