Recent viral threads on Reddit suggested a manufacturing defect in the new Orange iPhone 17 Pro, with owners claiming the device spontaneously changed color to pink without physical interference.
To verify these claims, CNET editor Andrew Lanxon attempted to force the discoloration using aggressive chemical agents.
Lanxon subjected the smartphone to substances specifically designed to strip color, including:
- Oxygen-based stain removers.
- Heavy-duty bleach (despite Apple explicitly advising against its use on the hardware).
After separate 30-minute exposure sessions to both chemicals, the device showed no reaction. The paint did not dissolve, and the orange hue did not fade or shift to pink.
CNET’s stress test indicates the anodized finish is highly durable. The publication was unable to replicate the viral “pinking” issue, suggesting the reports may be isolated incidents or caused by factors other than standard chemical exposure.