Apple responds to theory iPhone 15 is changing color while people are using it

Apple has responded to a theory that the new iPhone 15 is changing colour while people are using it – something that, surprisingly, is not all in our heads.

The tech giant unveiled its latest iPhone model earlier this month, with experts describing it as the 'biggest update to the device in three years'.

After it hit shelves yesterday (22 September), many people have already got their hands on the new phone – which went on sale for $799-$2,099, depending on model and storage options – and have been busy playing around with the updated features, including screen brightness, a larger screen display, a nifty action button and tougher screens than ever.

Apple also announced that their phones will have a mode where you can filter out background noise and have the microphone just focus on what you're saying, so if you're one of the few people who still uses their phone as a phone then you'll be easier to hear than before.

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Then, of course, there’s the one we’ve all been waiting for, with a long-overdue switch from having to connect to Apple's own lightning cables to being compatible with the far more universal USB-C cables.

But among all the fancy gadgets and gizmos that the iPhone 15 boasts, some users have spotted a bizarre change – noting that touching the phone itself can cause a temporary change in colour.

A number of users reported a ‘fading’, with one writing on Twitter: “Fading around the buttons is real guys.”

According to Apple, this is all down to the use of a new material for the frames, which were previously made out of stainless steel, while the iPhone 15 Pro marks the first to feature titanium.

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Thankfully, It's not permanent – as it’s apparently all down to the oil from skin, the discolouration can simply be wiped away.

Apple recommended the following guidelines for cleaning:

• Unplug all cables and turn off your iPhone
• Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth — for example, a lens cloth
• Avoid getting moisture in openings
• Don’t use cleaning products unless following the instructions for disinfecting your iPhone
• Don't use compressed air

It added on its customer support site: “For iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the oil from your skin might temporarily alter the color of the outside band. "Wiping your iPhone with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth will restore the original look.

“Clean your iPhone immediately if it comes in contact with anything that might cause stains or other damage — for example, dirt or sand, ink, makeup, soap, detergent, acids or acidic foods, or lotions."