iPhone 17 Pro: After #scratchgate, here comes #colorgate — the smartphone that literally changes color
Each new generation of iPhone seems to come with its own controversy, and the iPhone 17 Pro is no different. Following #scratchgate, where users reported that the darker finishes of the new models were scratching unusually quickly, a new controversy has emerged: #colorgate.
Some users claim that their iPhone 17 Pro has changed color on its own, shifting from Cosmic Orange to Rose Gold.
Controversies: A Tradition at Apple
The saga of “gate” scandals dates back to 2010, beginning with the infamous #antennagate concerning the iPhone 4: the external antenna design would cause call drops when the phone was held in the “wrong way.” Steve Jobs famously defended it by saying, “You’re holding it wrong.”
Since then, controversies have continued to surface:
- #bendgate (2014): iPhone 6 Plus models bending in pockets.
- #batterygate (2017): Apple was found to be secretly slowing down older models to compensate for battery degradation.
- #hissgate and #beautygate (2018): electronic noises and overly smoothed selfies.
- And in 2025, #scratchgate appeared — followed now by #colorgate.
#scratchgate: Apple’s Confusing Response
The first iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max, and Air units displayed in Apple Stores showed visible marks along their edges. However, Apple stated that these marks were not scratches, but rather material transfers from the aging MagSafe display stands. This explanation reminded some of the infamous “you’re holding it wrong” comment from 2010.
#colorgate: The iPhone 17 Pro Changes Color
A viral TikTok video reignited the controversy: a user showcased their Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro that had turned Rose Gold after mere weeks of use. This phenomenon has been confirmed by a Reddit user, DakAttack316, providing photographic evidence. According to him, it isn’t a filter or manipulation — the color change is indeed real.
Some users are having fun with it, referring to the device as the “Fire Red Charizard Edition,” a nod to the legendary Pokémon.
Oxidation, UV Exposure, or Design Flaw?
Lee Elliot, product director at the UK site Compare and Recycle, suggests that the likely cause could be oxidation or prolonged UV exposure, affecting the anodized coating of the casing. However, he warns, “Even slight discoloration can reduce an iPhone’s trade-in value by several hundred dollars.”
If these finishing issues persist, the iPhone 17 Pro could end up being one of the least profitable models for resale by the time the iPhone 18 launches. Elliot finds the situation “alarming”: “These signs of wear appear far too early. If oxidation is indeed the issue, the minerals present on the skin could accelerate surface degradation.”
Expert Recommendations
To mitigate damage, experts recommend using a case with raised edges to protect the screen and camera bumps, avoiding prolonged exposure to magnetic displays, and, if possible, regularly cleaning the surface with a non-abrasive microfiber cloth.
