Will the iPhone 17 Pro Finally Break Free from Monochrome?

When it comes to smartphones, inner performance often outweighs outer style—but that doesn’t mean looks don't matter. And with the iPhone 17 on the horizon, one particularly exciting rumor has nothing to do with specs or processing power. Instead, it's about color—specifically, that the iPhone 17 Pro could debut a new finish inspired by iOS 26’s Liquid Glass redesign. This fresh aesthetic may echo color schemes from older devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, sparking hope among Apple fans for more expressive iPhones.

Historically, Apple has separated its phone lineup into two distinct categories: the standard iPhones and the high-end Pro models. The base models often come in playful colors, while the iPhone Pro and Pro Max versions are more reserved—typically arriving in black, white, silver-gray, and one rotating accent color per generation. Despite being the most premium offering, their color range has often felt uninspired.

Take the current iPhone 16 Pro, for example—it comes in Desert Titanium, which, despite the exotic name, is essentially a rebranded gold. The iPhone 15 Pro launched in a gray-blue tone, while the iPhone 14 Pro went with black, silver, gold, and a soft pastel purple. None of these options truly broke the mold.

This contrast in visual energy makes some users question: Why do lower-tier iPhones get the fun, vibrant colors while the most advanced models remain so understated?

Now, with WWDC 2025 having unveiled the Liquid Glass design language for iOS 26, Apple may finally be ready to shake things up. According to a leak from Weibo user Instant Digital, the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro could feature a color that appears white but subtly shifts under different lighting conditions—a finish possibly reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy S10's prismatic Prism White or the Note 10's bold Aura Glow.

While Apple likely won't go as flamboyant as Samsung’s rainbow-reflective finishes, the idea of a subtly prismatic phone could strike the perfect balance between elegance and expression. The Liquid Glass theme itself emphasizes transparency and fluid transitions, a UI overhaul that some developers initially criticized for visual clutter in early iOS 26 betas. Thankfully, Apple adjusted the design before the public beta rolled out, offering clearer icon separation in elements like the Control Center.

Still, it's unclear how this aesthetic translates to actual hardware. In the past, Apple has experimented with colors that change subtly under light—like Midnight on the iPhone 13, a near-black with blue undertones, or Starlight, a silvery-white hue that hinted at warmth. Yet these finishes were softened by Apple’s use of frosted rear glass, which mutes visual dynamism.

Whether the iPhone 17 Pro will adopt a truly Liquid Glass finish or simply a nuanced white is still uncertain. Apple’s design language traditionally leans toward minimalism, and despite consumer calls for bolder looks, the company has largely avoided glossy or iridescent aesthetics.

But if ever there were a time to change, it's now. With iOS 26 and its visually daring Liquid Glass interface, the hardware might finally reflect the software’s boldness. A desert titanium casing paired with a shimmering Liquid Glass-inspired white could give the iPhone 17 Pro the flair it deserves—without sacrificing its identity.

If this prismatic trend does materialize, it could offer a compelling new look for Apple’s top-tier devices. And who knows? It might just be the push needed to help long-time users fully embrace the visual overhaul coming with iOS 26.