iPhone 17 Pro Max Color Change Issue: Is Aluminum the Cause?

Some users who chose the newly introduced Cosmic Orange color of the iPhone 17 Pro Max have recently raised concerns.

According to multiple reports, the vivid orange frame of the device began changing into a pink or rose gold hue in less than two weeks after purchase.

This phenomenon has been informally referred to as a color gate.

The suspected cause points to the aluminum frame, which replaced titanium in this year’s Pro lineup.

Apple reportedly made the material change to improve heat dissipation and reduce weight.

However, analysts believe that incomplete anodizing sealing processes in certain production batches may have led to oxidation.

As a result, the surface reacts to UV exposure, sweat, or chemical substances, causing visible discoloration.

Reports Emerging Since September Release

Since Apple released the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in September, complaints regarding discoloration have surfaced both domestically and overseas.

On September 19, industry sources.

and multiple online communities reported that users of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max particularly the Cosmic Orange variant experienced unexpected color changes.

These complaints have continued since launch.

Photos shared on Reddit show that while the device initially displays a clear orange tone, after roughly two weeks of use, the camera island area begins turning pink or rose gold.

In some cases, the discoloration appears to spread from the camera module to the rest of the device.

That said, not all units are affected, suggesting the issue may be limited to specific production lines.

Aluminum Body and Anodizing Concerns

Industry observers note that the iPhone 17 Pro series is the first to adopt an aluminum body in place of titanium.

Aluminum naturally reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air, which can lead to oxidation if surface protection is insufficient.

Some analyses suggest that Apple’s anodizing sealing process may not have been fully completed during certain manufacturing stages, resulting in weakened protective coatings.

Aluminum does offer advantages: it is lighter than titanium, less expensive as a raw material, and has higher thermal conductivity, which helps improve heat dissipation.

and reduce device temperatures.

These benefits also allow Apple to lower production costs.

However, aluminum is less durable than titanium and is more vulnerable to discoloration when exposed to prolonged UV light or chemicals such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide.

Given these characteristics, bright and highly saturated colors like orange are inherently more prone to visible color changes.

Scratches and Additional Quality Issues

Beyond discoloration, surface scratch issues have also been reported.

According to Bloomberg, the Deep Blue and Space Black models have shown signs of exterior damage even from minor impacts.

Some users have compared this to past controversies, labeling it another instance of a so called scratch gate.

No Official Response Yet

The domestic launch prices of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max stand at approximately 1.79 million KRW.

and 1.99 million KRW, respectively hardly budget-friendly devices.

Despite the growing discussion around these quality concerns, Apple has yet to issue an official statement regarding discoloration or durability issues.

For now, users are advised to handle their devices with extra care.

With more attention going forward, this issue may not escalate further.