The fiasco of the color-changing iPhone 17 Pro is threatening the iPhone 18 Pro, with one leaker claiming that Apple has apparently not managed to defeat truths about chemistry, physics, and user behavior for the fall release.
Following the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro, consumers started to complain about the coating of the Cosmic Orange model. If a leaker is to be believed, history is about to repeat itself. And, AppleInsider can confirm that each individual Apple Store, worldwide sees "a few" every week.
Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital posted on June 12 a warning to consumers planning to buy the iPhone 18 Pro. The account says that people should be careful about the color fading issue with the upcoming models.
An alleged discolored iPhone 17 Pro, shifting from Cosmic Orange to pink - Image Credit: DakAttack316/Reddit
The leaker refers to an issue with the Cosmic Orange version of the iPhone 17 Pro, which discolored to a pinkish hue within weeks of launch. It became a brief problem for Apple, causing concern for people wanting their iPhone to stick to just one color.
We may all like to believe that Apple does learn from its mistakes and course-corrects, especially with most of a year to fix the problem. But, if Fixed Focus Digital is right, the color will be a problem once again.
The Weibo post also reiterates a previous claim by Fixed Focus Digital that the iPhone 18 Pro will use an aluminum casing, not the titanium-based revival that other leakers believe will happen.
Weibo leakers don't tend to have the greatest accuracy when it comes to rumors, due to accounts commonly reposting content they source from other leakers. Fixed Focus Digital is certainly prominent, but still has a middling level of accuracy.
Oil and water
While Apple hasn't issued any explanation for the issue, the problem probably involves the aluminum anodization process.
The process requires cleaning the aluminum with a non-corrosive solution to remove any grease and fingerprints. Then, an etching process removes surface defects and the naturally forming oxide layer.
That is followed by anodization, which involves submersion in an electrolytic bath to form a porous aluminum oxide layer. That layer is used to absorb the coloring for the exterior of the iPhone.
Since the porous layer is like a sponge, a chemical and physical process is used to seal the layer. The idea is that it locks in the color, but also prevents other materials from getting into that oxide layer.
If the seal isn't properly applied, liquids can be absorbed and affect the color of the oxide layer. This can be as simple as water or even finger oils from your hand.
While the initial complaint occurred over a few weeks after launch, it's something that Apple still deals with to this day. It's not a big problem, but it is still hanging around to this day.
