iPhone 18 Pro owners report body discoloration
The first buyers of iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max report that the smartphones’ back panels are gradually fading and losing their original color. The color change begins around the protruding main camera module.
According to owners, the issue appears after just two to three weeks of careful smartphone use. At first, a pale, barely noticeable halo appears around the glass camera module, which eventually expands and spreads to the sides of the metal frame.
In some cases, the color change is noticeable: for example, the new dark burgundy body shade turns into a dirty pink or light gray in the affected areas.
These spots cannot be washed or wiped off. Users report that microfiber cloths, special cleaners, and alcohol wipes do not help. This indicates a change in the coating itself rather than ordinary surface contamination. Currently, reports of fading most often concern models in burgundy and classic black.
What is known so far:
- The color change is more often noticed by owners who use their smartphones without a case outdoors. It is assumed that the aluminum’s colored coating may change under the influence of direct ultraviolet radiation.
- The area near the cameras is close to components that generate heat. When recording video, gaming, or fast charging, the body heats up, which could potentially accelerate the degradation of the unstable coating.
- Similar complaints were also made by owners of the iPhone 17 Pro in blue and orange, who also reported a loss of coating saturation. It is possible that the issue is related to the specific characteristics of the body’s coloring or surface treatment.
Apple has not officially commented on these complaints. According to some owners, retail store and service center employees are refusing to replace the devices, classifying the discoloration as cosmetic wear rather than a warranty defect.
