The viral story of the “pink” version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max; fact or misconception?

Social media buzzed over claims of a secret pink iPhone 17 Pro Max, but experts revealed the truth, its color changed due to harsh cleaning products reacting with the aluminum frame, not because Apple launched a new variant.

New Delhi: Apple's new iPhone 17 Pro Max caught people's attention with its premium design and attractive colors as soon as it was launched. Especially its new Cosmic Orange color, which some people called saffron and some called an ocher shade.

But now news of this model being “pink” is spreading rapidly on social media – which is raising questions among users whether Apple has launched a new secret color?

Actually, this whole story is not related to any new launch but to a common mistake, knowing which you will also be shocked.

How did the discussion of “Pink iPhone” start?

The issue started when a user on Reddit posted a picture of his iPhone 17 Pro Max. In that picture, a light pink tone was visible on the edges of the phone. That photo went viral within no time.

Many people thought it was Apple's new color edition, while some users called it an edited image. Then many users also shared similar videos on TikTok, which increased the confusion that perhaps Apple has launched a “Secret Pink Edition.”

What was the real reason?

When tech websites and experts investigated, the real reason was revealed—the color change was not due to a new model or update but due to the use of the wrong cleaning products.

Actually, the frame of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is made of anodized aluminum. There is an oxide layer on the surface of this metal, which gives it protection and shine. But when users clean their phones with hydrogen peroxide or strong chemical cleaners, this layer undergoes a chemical reaction.

Due to this, an orange-to-pink tone starts appearing on the metallic edges of the phone. The thing to note is that the glass back panel of the phone remains the same—which gives the illusion that perhaps the color of the phone has changed.

Apple Cleaning Rules—Do's and Don'ts

Apple provides some official cleanup guidelines on its website and support documents:

• Use only 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 70% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox disinfecting wipes.
• Avoid cleaners containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
• Never immerse the phone in any liquid.
• Do not allow moisture to get into the charging port, speaker, or microphone.
• Always wipe the phone with a dry and soft cloth after cleaning.

The “Pink iPhone 17 Pro Max” viral on social media is not a new variant but a result of poor cleaning habits. This incident is a reminder of how important it is to use the right cleaning products when taking care of expensive gadgets.