A recent Reddit post has sparked curiosity and debate by claiming that the cosmic orange iPhone 17 Pro can transform into a vibrant hot pink color after exposure to certain substances. This intriguing claim caught the attention of tech journalist Eric Zeman from PCMag, who speculated that the color change might be the result of discoloration caused by cleaning agents interacting with the phone’s finish. Inspired by this idea—and admittedly intrigued by the prospect of a striking pink iPhone—CNET decided to put the theory to the test.
Before diving into the experiment, it’s important to highlight a key disclaimer: the iPhone 17 Pro used in this test was purchased by CNET specifically for this purpose. The author cautions readers against trying similar experiments on their own devices, especially if they have invested over $1,000 on a new phone. Using harsh chemicals on an expensive and delicate gadget can cause irreversible damage, so anyone who needs to clean their phone should always do so safely and with appropriate products. With that safety note out of the way, here’s how the experiment unfolded.
The first step involved sourcing the chemicals that might cause the discoloration effect. Eric Zeman had suggested that oxidation could be responsible for the color change, with hydrogen peroxide being a potential agent. However, since hydrogen peroxide was not readily available over the counter in the UK, a substitute was found: an “oxy-active” stain remover spray. This cleaner contains oxygen-based bleaching agents, which sounded promising for testing the theory. To cover all bases, the experimenter also purchased a bottle of thick bleach, despite Apple’s official support page warning users not to use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide on their devices.
The test began by applying the oxy-active stain remover. A microfiber cloth was sprayed until damp, then used to generously coat the back of the iPhone, focusing particularly on the metal sides and camera bar. This detail was important because the Reddit user who first reported the color change noted that only the metal parts of the phone were affected, while the glass back panel remained unchanged. After thoroughly dousing the metal surfaces with the cleaner, the phone was left to sit for 30 minutes to allow the chemicals time to interact with the finish.
After half an hour had passed, the phone was wiped dry and examined closely. Unfortunately, the orange hue remained as vibrant and factory-fresh as ever. There was no sign of the wild hot pink color described in the Reddit thread. Although this was a bit disappointing for anyone hoping for a dramatic transformation, the experiment was far from over.
Next came the bleach test. Although the author humorously recalled their days as a middle school cleaner while handling the bleach, they proceeded cautiously—if not perfectly, since protective gloves were not worn. A liberal amount of bleach was applied to a cloth and smeared over the same metal areas of the phone. Again, the phone was left untouched for 30 minutes before being cleaned off and inspected.
Surprisingly, even after exposure to strong bleach, the phone’s cosmic orange color showed no signs of fading or shifting toward pink. Not only did the phone’s finish hold strong, but after nearly 24 hours, the device remained unscathed and looked just as fresh as the day it was taken out of the box.
This experiment raises questions about the authenticity of the Reddit user’s pink iPhone 17 Pro photos. While the journalist side of the tester remains skeptical, the human side wants to believe the images might be genuine. However, what can be said with certainty is that subjecting your orange iPhone 17 Pro to household cleaning products like oxy stain removers or bleach will not magically turn it pink.
It’s still possible that pure hydrogen peroxide or other industrial-grade chemicals might cause such a color change, but at that point, users might be better off trying to dye the phone intentionally rather than exposing it to harsh substances with unpredictable results. The goal of this test was to explore how the orange finish reacts to common household cleaners—those that a phone might accidentally come into contact with during everyday use. The finding is reassuring for owners of the cosmic orange iPhone 17 Pro: typical cleaners will not ruin or alter your phone’s color.
That said, it’s worth reiterating that just because the phone’s finish survived these chemical exposures intact doesn’t mean the practice is safe or recommended. Household chemicals like bleach and stain removers can damage other components of the phone, such as seals or coatings designed to protect it from water and dust