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Apple Just Quietly Ditched the iPhone Pro’s Trademark Feature

What’s arguably the most surprising twist of the iPhone 17 Pro launch has nothing to do with battery life, cameras, or screens.

Close-up of a metallic mechanical component featuring three black circular lens-like elements with glass centers, set against a black background. The surface has a smooth, matte finish with visible screws and precise machining details.Apple

By Ben Bowers

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The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have arrived, touting boundary-pushing tech, lighter and more premium materials, and the sort of design tweaks destined to turn heads—especially that new camera bar, which some will undoubtedly mention echoes Google’s Pixel phone hardware.

But for all the technical, visual and aesthetic upgrades packed into the new powerful iPhone 17 Pro family, Apple’s most surprising decision related to the device might be what’s not on the menu this year.

The default is dead?

Five smartphones are shown in a row, each in a different color: gold, dark green, silver, space gray, and black. The phones have a sleek design with three rear cameras and a flash arranged in a triangular layout on the back. The front phone displays a dark, abstract, cloud-like wallpaper on its screen.
While Apple’s full-lineup of iPhone Pro colors has always shifted year-to-year, the company has always offered some variation on black or grey ever since the iPhone Pro line launched with the iPhone Pro 11 back in 2019. Now that streak appears to be officially over, at least for now.
Apple

From Space Gray to Graphite, every iPhone Pro since the line’s launch in 2019 has featured a black-inspired finish among its color choices.

It’s become so expected that it’s in many ways a core part of the iPhone Pro identity—a sleek, understated look that was viewed as the default option to purchase by many fans (including, ahem, me).

Orange smartphone with a triple camera setup on the back, held in a person's hand. The phone has a matte finish and rounded edges, with the camera lenses arranged in a triangular formation within a raised rectangular module. The Apple logo is faintly visible on the back.
The new Cosmic Orange color option looks especially bold in person.
Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

But that tradition appears to now be dead. The iPhone 17 Pro ships in just three new shades, including an eye-catching deep blue and ultra-modern cosmic orange, as well as a silvery white. But no black or even dark grey option is to be found.

What makes this move all the more curious is that insider renders, industry whispers, and early dummy mockups all pointed toward another year of “Pro” black. 

A screen shot of a tweet posted by Majin Bu on X supposedly revealing the iPhone 17 Pro Design
Well-known Apple product leaker claimed these images were of the iPhone 17 Pro in black back in June of 2025. But this supposed leak proved to be false.
@MajinBuOfficial on X

Why Apple made the call to skip the shade remains a mystery, especially when the new standard iPhone 17 is available in black—a detail sure to frustrate traditionalists.

But if the recent past is any indication of Apple’s future plans with the iPhone 17 Pro, there’s at least some reason to not give up hope just yet.

An ace up its sleeve?

Close-up of the rear camera module on a silver smartphone, featuring three lenses arranged in a triangular formation with a matte metallic finish around them.
The imagery and videos Apple used to announce the new iPhone 17 Pro family are definitely dark and moody. But those vibes don’t fully translate to the phone’s color options for some reason.
Apple

Apple has an established track record of dropping new surprise iPhone colors mid-cycle, presumably to help spark sales and continued consumer interest deeper into the phone’s lifecycle.

This practice began with the introduce of special (PRODUCT)RED iPhones in 2017 and 2018, and expanded to include purple versions of the iPhone 12 and 12 mini in 2021.

Black iPhone with a triple camera setup and a flash on the back, featuring the Apple logo in the center.
Dbrand’s new matte black skin for the iPhone 17 Pro might be the closest approximation we’ll see to a blacked-out iPhone 17 Pro.
Dbrand

The Pro Max line received its first surprise mid-cycle color announcement in March of 2022 with the introduction of a Alpine Green version.

So, is the black Pro truly gone for good, or merely waiting in the wings, poised for a high-impact comeback around the spring of 2026?

A side view of multiple iPhones fanned out, showing the left edge with volume buttons and mute switch. The phones are in various colors including black, purple, blue, green, and white, each featuring dual rear cameras. The Apple logo is visible on the back of the black iPhone in the foreground.
The new baseline iPhone 17 is still available in black, which should just add to prospective iPhone 17 Pro buyers frustration.
Apple

For now, those loyal to black will have to break out of their comfort zone and choose between the daring new shades, the base iPhone 17, or simply cross fingers that Apple’s most classic color makes a triumphant return.

Or….you could just buy a new black case.

Casing your options

Black textured Apple iPhone case with a raised edge around the camera module, designed to fit an iPhone with a triple-lens camera system and flash. The Apple logo is subtly embossed in the center of the back.
Apple is selling a TechWoven Case for the iPhone Pro 17 family in black as well as a traditional silicone option.
Apple

Apple is at least helping enthusiasts fill the black color void in the iPhone 17 Pro lineup by launching several new case options directly in black, including the TechWoven Case and the ultra-popular Silicone Case—both MagSafe-ready and tailored for the latest Pro models.

Black protective phone case with a beige wrist strap attached, designed for a smartphone with a triple camera setup. The case has the "beats" logo printed on the back.
Beats is also selling an interesting new case for the iPhone 17 Pro that includes an integrated lanyard that can double as a kickstand.
Apple

There’s also something special from Beats this year: a rugged granite-gray combination case featuring an integrated kickstand and camera controls, offering users both protection and utility in dark shades.

Outside of Cupertino, third-party case makers will likely have a field day with this opportunity. Dbrand clearly seemed prepared and is already offering at least four different blacked-out skins for the iPhone 17 Pro line.

What you need to know about the new iPhone 17 Pro

Three smartphones with triple camera setups are shown in a row. The phones are in different colors: dark blue on the left, orange in the middle, and silver on the right. Each phone has a large camera module housing three lenses and a flash, with the Apple logo visible on the back. The background is black, highlighting the phones.Apple

Apple iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max represent Apple’s latest flagship smartphones. They are the first iPhones equipped with a refined aluminum unibody, and incorporate a blazing A19 Pro chip, with the best battery life ever in an iPhone. They feature three 48MP Fusion cameras, including a new 8x optical zoom Telephoto and next-level 18MP Center Stage front camera for selfies. The Ceramic Shield 2-coated front and back also offer exceptional durability, while the Super Retina XDR display shines at 3000 nits. Enhanced wireless (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6), up to 2TB storage, and groundbreaking ProRes RAW, Log 2, and genlock video support complete the package. Pre-orders open Friday, September 12, with in-store availability on Friday, September 19.
About the Author: Ben Bowers is the Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer of Gear Patrol. Throughout his tenure in media, Ben has written and reported on everything from consumer tech to whiskey, watches, cars, camping, and personal style. These days, he gets to write less than he’d like to.

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