Despite the common belief that what's inside a smartphone matters more than how it looks, many users still care deeply about the device's appearance. Among the many leaks swirling around the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, one detail stands out  -  the possibility of a new color inspired by Apple’s iOS 26 “Liquid Glass” design.

According to early reports, this color could resemble past hues seen on Samsung devices. If true, Apple may finally be ready to inject more vibrancy into its Pro lineup, breaking the tradition of neutral tones.

For years, Apple has clearly separated its iPhone lineup into two categories: the standard models, which are more affordable and colorful; and the Pro models, which are more powerful but come in subdued colors. Typically, iPhone Pro and Pro Max versions feature grayscale options like black, white, and silver  -  with perhaps one unique color per year.

Take the iPhone 16 Pro’s “desert titanium” (a dressed-up name for gold), or the iPhone 15 Pro’s muted blue-gray tone. The iPhone 14 Pro dropped white altogether in favor of gold and added a pale purple alongside black and silver.

Those paying over $1,000 for a premium iPhone often expect elegance over flamboyance, preferring subtlety over splash. But not everyone shares this preference. Think back to the iPhone 5C  -  many users loved its bright, playful colors despite the plastic shell.

For many, it’s baffling that purchasing a premium iPhone means being locked into dull shades.

Of course, some users don’t care much about the color at all  -  they’ll hide their phone under a protective case anyway. Still, the rumor that iPhone 17 Pro Max could debut in a Liquid Glass-inspired finish has generated plenty of buzz.

The leak, however, originated from the Weibo account Instant Digital and lacks any official visuals. According to the post, the new iPhone color may appear white with a shimmering effect that shifts subtly depending on the viewing angle.

Will iPhone 17 Pro Max really sparkle?

Apple unveiled its Liquid Glass update at WWDC 2025 in June, introducing a new aesthetic for iOS 26 and the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. This design emphasized transparency, round icons, and a fresh look and feel for the interface.

However, early developer feedback wasn’t glowing. Many complained that the design was visually cluttered and lacked clear visual separation  -  with some icons in Control Center hard to discern. Fortunately, Apple made significant refinements before releasing the public beta of iOS 26.

But imagining what this “Liquid Glass” look would be like as an actual iPhone color is still a challenge. If the rumor holds true, we might see a white tone that reflects light with a pearlescent glow, similar to Samsung’s once-popular “prism white” Galaxy S10 from 2018. That model shifted hues between pink, purple, and blue depending on the light.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 that same year had a bold “aura glow” finish that reflected rainbow colors. Those finishes were flashy  -  perhaps too flashy for Apple’s aesthetic. Also, those beautiful glass backs came with a high risk of shattering.

To be fair, Apple has experimented with nuanced color effects before. The iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, for instance, had a “midnight” black so deep it nearly appeared blue under certain lights. The “starlight” variant was a warmer take on white with a similar soft iridescence.

But looking at Apple’s Pro lineup in recent years, it’s hard to believe they’ll suddenly take a cue from Samsung’s more vibrant palette. Not only does Apple avoid loud colors for Pro models, but the current frosted glass backs also mute whatever color lies underneath.

Whether users will ever truly “see” the Liquid Glass color on iPhone 17 Pro Max depends heavily on Apple’s final design decisions.

Still, here’s hoping that  -  just this once  -  Apple lets its flagship Pro iPhones shine a little brighter. And who knows? Maybe that pop of shimmer will be exactly what convinces users to embrace the all-new Liquid Glass aesthetic of iOS 26, whether they love it or not.

Hai Phong