After the Scratchgate, is there a Pinkgate? The Cosmic Orange color of the iPhone 17 Pro certainly draws attention… but not always for the right reasons. Several users claim that their precious smartphones change color over time, shifting to a pink hue under certain conditions.
The new iPhone 17 Pro was expected to shine with its bold design and high-quality finish. However, just weeks after its release, social media is buzzing about a strange phenomenon. Fans are talking about a gradual discoloration of the Cosmic Orange variant. Photos, testimonials, and technical analyses are piling up, raising doubts about a possible manufacturing defect.
Orange, Pink… Is the iPhone 17 Pro Playing the Chameleon?
Just weeks after its launch, users of the brand new iPhone 17 Pro are complaining that their Cosmic Orange model is changing color. On Reddit and X, photos show a device turning into a pale pink over the days.
One user’s image particularly stands out, claiming their brand-new iPhone changed to pink after only a few hours of use. Since then, posts have multiplied. While some are, of course, questionable photo edits, others seem quite genuine. The phenomenon has even been dubbed “Pinkgate” by the community.
New weeks, new iPhone issues
Cosmic Orange iPhones are turning pink pic.twitter.com/gOPC01fo7z— Anthony (@TheGalox_) October 7, 2025
Several observers suggest this issue might stem from the electrolytic treatment Apple uses to color the aluminum chassis. This process, intended to ensure deep and lasting shades, may react to heat, light, or certain chemicals present in iPhone 17 Pro cases or sweat. This could then lead to a slight alteration of the pigment, resulting in the unexpected pink hue.
For now, Apple remains silent. No official statement has confirmed (or denied) the existence of a real issue. Thus, it is difficult to determine whether this is an isolated aesthetic glitch or merely a case of a viral buzz.
On social media, reactions are mixed. Some users joke amiably, happy to possess a limited edition without intending to. Others, more concerned, fear a lasting discoloration or a decrease in value of their brand-new iPhone 17 Pro.
As the controversy grows, the Scratchgate phenomenon continues to be discussed. The iPhone 17 Pro, especially in its Orange version, scratches easily around the camera module, a problem Apple had already acknowledged.
So, after scratches, we now have color changes, and what will be next? It’s clear that this year, the iPhone continues to make headlines, whether we like it or not.
