Apple is reportedly considering introducing Purple or Green colors for its upcoming iPhone 17 series, slated for release this September.
On Monday, tech insider Majin Bu, citing internal Apple sources, revealed that the company is testing both Purple and Green color options. According to Bu, the Purple variant currently seems more likely to make the cut.
This wouldn’t be Apple’s first foray into purple territory. In 2020, the tech giant released the iPhone 12 and Mini in five colors, later adding a Purple version. The hue made another appearance with the iPhone 14 in 2022. If the rumors hold, we could see the return of a purple iPhone after a three-year hiatus.
Apple appears to be doubling down on its color strategy, with plans to introduce new shades for both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models. Industry insiders suggest that the Sky Blue color, which debuted with the M4 MacBook Air, might find its way into the iPhone 17 Pro lineup.
9to5Mac notes that Purple has historically been a hit with iPhone users and is likely to be well-received if reintroduced. In contrast, Green has been a less common choice for iPhone colors.
The iPhone 17 series is expected to bring more than just a splash of new color. Significant design and performance upgrades are on the horizon.
Perhaps the most notable change will be in the display. The standard iPhone model, which has long been limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, is rumored to upgrade to 120Hz finally.
The newly introduced ultra-slim iPhone Air is also set to boast a 120Hz display. However, it’s unlikely to feature the variable refresh rate ProMotion technology found in the Pro models.
A RAM upgrade is anticipated across the entire iPhone 17 lineup, including the Air and Pro/Pro Max models. This boost is likely aimed at enhancing performance for Apple’s on-device Apple Intelligence. However, the base iPhone 17 model is expected to retain the 8GB RAM configuration of its predecessor.
While these upgrades promise improved performance, they may come at a cost. Price hikes are expected, partly due to the tariff policies implemented by the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump recently reiterated his stance on his social media platform, Truth Social. He claimed to have told Apple CEO Tim Cook that iPhones sold in the United States should be manufactured domestically, threatening a minimum 25% tariff on devices produced elsewhere.
During Apple’s Q1 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the potential impact of these policies, estimating that unchanged tariffs could result in a 900 million USD increase in costs for the second quarter.