A woman purchased an orange iPhone. Then, it turned a muted pink color.
When TikToker Emily Gao (@emilygao) realized that her phone seemed to have a “pink defect,” she submitted a support request. Then an Apple customer representative started asking her a number of questions that shifted the blame to her.
In a video with over 18.8 million views, Gao expressed concern that an Apple representative questioned her personal habits, like doing her own nails. She heard nothing back from the company after submitting her complaint, leading her to believe that the company was trying to avoid replacing it under her AppleCare warranty.
”There’s no way I’m paying an extra $17 a month for my phone to become discolored within the first two months of using it,” Gao said.
What happened to her iPhone?
Gao purchased a brand new Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro two months before her post. At that time, there were some reports that the Cosmic Orange iPhones turned pink, although they weren’t widespread. Rarely, these iPhones would have some discoloration issues, according to online blogs and publications.
Still, Gao received her iPhone. She noticed the phone slowly shifting from a bright orange to a muted rose gold color. Gao noted, “ I take pretty good care of my phones. I have the Apple-branded cases on them. I have a screen protector on it… and yet the phone still turned pink.”
So, she contacted Apple with a request. “ A couple weeks later after I submitted that original request, someone from Apple ended up reaching out to me and was asking me lifestyle questions like he was asking what I use to clean my phone with if it gets exposed to the sun,” Gao said.
That was the last she heard from Apple. She later stated she would go in person to try to get a replacement iPhone.
Shouldn’t AppleCare cover it?
Based on Gao’s video, it seems she has an AppleCare+ or AppleCare One subscription. So, shouldn’t they cover it?
AppleCare+ typically costs $13.99/month, whereas AppleCare One costs $19.99/month. AppleCare One notably offers customers complete replacement of their iPhone in the event of theft or loss, which is the biggest difference between the two paid subscriptions.
Neither plan is “$17,” which is what Gao said she was spending, so it’s unclear whether she has one or the other. If she has an AppleCare One subscription, it’s more likely that she’d be able to replace her iPhone, considering the company’s general policy.
Why are orange iPhones turning pink?
According to some online speculators, the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro might turn pink due to its anodized aluminum. Anodizing aluminum is notoriously tricky to dye, and the organic dyes Apple uses are apparently susceptible to intense sunlight or UVs.
Inorganic dyes—which usually aren’t bright, primary colors—typically degrade at a slower rate. In contrast, organic dyes almost inevitably discolor after some time. But discoloration should theoretically occur after years, not within two months.
Anodizing aluminum can also be affected by Peroxide-based cleaners. If a customer applies bleach or hydrogen peroxide to their phone, they may notice quick, obvious discoloration. Apple notes that customers should use “70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes” to disinfect their phones. Other cleaners may be abrasive and wipe off the phone’s finish.
Do commenters think this is a serious defect?
Commenters did not take Gao’s claims about her “orange-pink iPhone” as seriously as she did.
One viewer said, “Kim there are people dying,” a reference to a Kardashian family meme that pokes fun at first-world problems.
“Why are [you] crying about your orange coloured phone that turned pink just on the side that get[s] covered by your case anyway,” another viewer added. “Americans are such complainers.”
But others said that Gao should get her money’s worth, especially for a product that retails for $1,199.00.
“[People are] calling this a nonissue but if [you’re] paying a thousand dollars for something it should be high quality,” one commenter shared.
Gao clarified that if she were lying about her phone, she wouldn’t have spent so much time on the phone with Apple support. She also stated that one of her friends had the exact same issue and was able to get a replacement for their phone.
@emilygao #nighttimeroutine #skincare @rhode skin @medicube global @IUNIK US @SKIN1004 US @In Print We Trust ♬ original sound – emily
The Mary Sue reached out to Gao via TikTok direct message and email. We’ve also reached out to Apple’s press team via email.
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