iPhone 18 Pro Users Report Color Discoloration Issues
Newest Pro model's dark finishes showing wear and color shifts within weeks of purchase.
Less than a month after its release, the new iPhone 18 Pro is facing customer complaints of discoloration, with users reporting that the black and burgundy models are showing wear around the rear cameras.
Owners have taken to social media platforms, including Reddit, to express their dissatisfaction, with some noting that their phones appear worn down just days after unboxing. Some customers have already returned their devices to Apple.
The iPhone 18 Pro's color is applied through a process of dyeing anodised aluminum, intended to create a durable finish. However, affected users describe a lighter or pinkish hue appearing around the camera lenses, distinct from the phone's original color.
One Reddit user described the issue as noticing "the area around my camera lenses looks slightly lighter/pinkish compared with the surrounding camera housing." The user stated there was no oil, residue, dirt, scratches, dents, or physical damage, and that cleaning did not resolve the problem. This post reportedly sparked numerous similar complaints from other recent buyers.
Some users have reported that the issue appears to resolve temporarily with cleaning but reappears shortly after. "Mine goes away but comes back after a few minutes, I can see literally coming back slowly hence I think at least in my case it's not a matter of external factors," one user commented.
Users who purchased the silver or pale blue 'glacier' models have not reported similar issues. Speculation among some users suggested the problem could be related to dust or oil accumulation, but those experiencing the discoloration insist it is an intrinsic color change that cannot be wiped away.
This is not the first time Apple has faced discoloration concerns with its Pro iPhone models. Last year, customers reported that the 'Cosmic Orange' iPhone 17 Pro models were turning pink, a phenomenon attributed to oxidation from cleaning chemicals or hand residue. The aluminum on those models also reportedly scratched more easily, revealing the metal beneath, though this specific scratching issue has not yet been reported for the iPhone 18 Pro.
The iPhone 18 Pro, priced between £1,199 and £2,399, features a 6.3-inch display, the A20 Pro chipset, and upgraded camera systems. It also includes advancements in Siri AI as part of Apple Intelligence. Apple has been contacted for comment.