The iPhone 17 lineup is set to launch in just two months, but early leaks are already stirring debate - especially around a striking new orange color that could mark a major shift in Apple’s design language.

According to renders shared by AppleInsider, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to come in five colors, including a vibrant and unexpected orange shade.

This bold hue - described by some insiders as a bright “fluorescent orange” - could represent a radical departure from Apple’s traditionally subdued color palette. It’s rumored to appear alongside classic tones like deep blue, graphite gray, silver, and black.

The leak originates from tech tipster Sonny Dickson, who posted a photo of what appear to be lens protectors for the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup.

A controversial color choice sparks debate

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Color variations of the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. Image: AppleInsider

The rumored orange has set off a storm of reactions across social media. One commenter declared it “the worst phone color I’ve ever seen.”

However, Dickson later suggested the color may not be as extreme as it seems. He speculated it could actually be a deep bronze or copper hue - more in line with the iPhone Pro’s traditional aesthetic.

Conflicting reports have added to the mystery. Macworld claims to have accessed an internal document referencing the Pantone shade “TCX Papaya,” described as a highly saturated, bright orange. If accurate, this would signal a major departure from Apple’s usual metallic tones for its Pro line.

Many fans welcomed the change. Prominent Apple leaker Majin Bu posted a concept render of the orange iPhone 17 Pro with the caption: “This looks incredible.”

Others chimed in with enthusiasm: “The orange Pro is actually fire,” and “This would be the first iPhone I’d ever buy - love that color.”

Still, not everyone was impressed. Some users dismissed the design as “awful” and “the worst color they’ve ever done.”

As always, Apple remains silent about any leaks. The true color options for the iPhone 17 won’t be confirmed until the official launch in September.

What to expect from the iPhone 17 series

The iPhone 17 event is expected to take place on a Monday or Tuesday during the second week of September. The digital invite - often a subtle clue about the design - will likely go out to media and analysts in the weeks before.

Apple is expected to release four models: the standard iPhone 17, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air (also known as the “iPhone 17 Slim”), and the premium iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max.

The iPhone 17 Air is positioned to compete with Samsung’s Galaxy Edge and is expected to be the thinnest and lightest model in the lineup.

The standard iPhone 17 will feature two vertically stacked cameras, while the other three models will adopt a horizontal rectangular camera module, similar to the Google Pixel series. This change may offer Apple more space to house advanced camera components.

All models are expected to feature aluminum frames, glass backs, upgraded cameras, and the new A19 chip optimized for advanced AI tasks.

Hai Phong