Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
My (PRODUCT)RED SE2 turned light red on the edges, just like the 17 in the photo. Noticed it when I removed it from the case.
 
Yeah I've wondered this as well. When I had a space gray MacBook Pro years ago, the areas around the trackpad "wore off" to a more silver color. I thought it might be from the stuff I used to wash my face at night — but my hands were clean after so how could that be it?
Acidic skin. Some peoples skin literally burn through the anodized surface to bare aluminum and then keep burning. My Old MacBook Pro ended up pitted in the same way as the one attached after a year or so.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2025-10-23 at 12.14.51 AM.png
    Screenshot 2025-10-23 at 12.14.51 AM.png
    749.5 KB · Views: 42
  • Haha
Reactions: yabeweb
You've gotta be crazy to return this. Unless it's widespread, this is a limited error iPhone that'll be worth a bundle in a decade. Look up products that shipped with mistakes and things like "Error coins" worth hundreds of thousands. Store that back in the box in mint condition and wait a decade.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jhfenton
Some reports have concluded that the cause of the discoloration is due to contact with peroxide-based solvents or prolonged ultraviolet exposure.
Neither or which are supported by any of the user reports. Speculation is not reporting.

The most likely speculation I've seen is that some batch of these didn't get properly sealed, allowing for oxidation from contact with the air. Which would explain the remarkable uniformity of the color shift, and the folks who have kept it in a case and had only the exposed camera bump shift color. I've only seen one color shift report with a blotchy appearance that might result from something the user did.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.