The rumor is getting colorful—literally. Internal documents from Apple, obtained by Macworld, reveal the color strategy for the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup. These Pantone references, which align with leaks from well-known insider Sonny Dickson, provide a detailed roadmap of the shades that will define the standard, Pro, and Air models. A technical preview that fuels speculation ahead of the official announcement expected in September.
The iPhone 17 color palettes decoded
According to these documents, Apple is making a subtle distinction between its product lines. The standard iPhone 17 will retain the current black and white options, but will introduce three freshly calibrated shades:
A green labeled PANTONE 2282 U
A subtle purple PANTONE 530 U
A light blue PANTONE 658 U
As for the Pro models, the classic black/white/”Natural Titanium” gray trio will be complemented by two bold additions:
A deep midnight blue PANTONE 19-405 TPG Mood Indigo
The iconic copper orange PANTONE 1501243 TCX Papaya – previously hinted at by Dickson
The Air Philosophy: The Essence of Lightness
The real surprise lies in the approach taken with the iPhone 17 Air. In line with its promise of ultra-thinness, its refined palette embraces deliberately desaturated tones:
A pastel blue, PANTONE 657 U, nearly identical to that of the MacBook Air M4
A milky gold, PANTONE 11-0604 TPG Gardenia, designed to evoke lightness
The documents specify that these visual choices are meant to reinforce the model’s “airy” identity. A calculated coherence: the blue builds a bridge to the Mac ecosystem, while the Gardenia shade establishes a unique identity.
A confirmation is anticipated within the next two months
While these Pantone references currently serve as the basis for industrial development, Apple may make minor adjustments before final production. Attention is now focused on the September event, where the company is expected to officially reveal:
The exact physical translation of these color swatches
The radical redesign of the edges
The suspense won’t last much longer—September is just around the corner.
