Apple’s iPhone comes in a wide variety of colors that have evolved over the years. From the original iPhone in 2007 to the latest iPhone models in 2022, Apple has offered different color options to suit different tastes and styles. The colors not only make the iPhones look stylish but also allow users to express their personality. This article will explore the different iPhone colors over the years and take a closer look at the current color options available for the latest iPhone models.
iPhone Colors Through the Years
When the original iPhone launched in 2007, it was only available in one color: aluminum. The metal finish gave the iPhone a sleek, futuristic look. For a few years, Apple stuck with the aluminum look, later switching to black and white color options for the iPhone 3G and 3GS models.
It wasn’t until the iPhone 5 in 2012 that Apple started offering the iPhone in a variety of vibrant colors. The iPhone 5C came in blue, green, pink, yellow, and white color options made of a polycarbonate shell. The colors were fun and offered customers more choices.
Since then, Apple has continued to provide color options for each iPhone model. Here is a look at some of the most popular iPhone colors over the years:
| iPhone Model | Colors |
|---|---|
| iPhone 5C (2013) | Blue, green, pink, yellow, white |
| iPhone 5S (2013) | Gold, silver, space gray |
| iPhone 6 / 6 Plus (2014) | Gold, silver, space gray |
| iPhone 6S / 6S Plus (2015) | Rose gold, gold, silver, space gray |
| iPhone 7 / 7 Plus (2016) | Jet black, black, silver, gold, rose gold |
| iPhone 8 / 8 Plus (2017) | Gold, silver, space gray |
| iPhone X (2017) | Silver, space gray |
| iPhone XR (2018) | Blue, white, black, yellow, coral, red |
| iPhone 11 (2019) | Purple, yellow, green, black, white, red |
| iPhone 12 (2020) | Purple, blue, green, black, white, red |
| iPhone 13 (2021) | Pink, blue, midnight, starlight, red |
| iPhone 14 (2022) | Purple, blue, midnight, starlight, red |
As you can see, color has become a major part of Apple’s iPhone branding and product lineup. The colors allow customers to choose the iPhone that best matches their style and personality.
Current iPhone Colors
For the latest iPhone 14 models released in 2022, Apple has standardized the color options across the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Here are the current color choices available:
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
– Midnight – A black color with a matte finish
– Starlight – A very light silver/gold color
– Blue – A light blue color
– Purple – A lighter purple color
– Red – A vibrant red color
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
– Space Black – A very dark black color
– Silver – A silver color with a glossy finish
– Gold – A gold color with a glossy finish
– Deep Purple – A deep royal purple color
The non-Pro iPhone 14 models offer bright color options while the Pro iPhones have more subdued professional colors. The color choices allow customers to match their iPhone to their style.
Most Popular iPhone Colors
While Apple has offered a rainbow of different iPhone colors over the years, some colors tend to be more popular with consumers. Based on various surveys and sales data, here are some of the most popular iPhone colors of all time:
| Color | Popularity |
|---|---|
| Black | The most popular color, offered on nearly every model |
| White | A classic color, especially with silver accents |
| Gold | Luxurious and elegant, popular on iPhone 5S onwards |
| Silver | A staple neutral color for many models |
| Rose Gold | A stylish pinkish hue introduced on the iPhone 6S |
| Red | Bold red offered on special edition models |
| Jet Black | A rare glossy black color seen on iPhone 7 |
Black and white tend to be the most popular as neutral staple colors. Gold, silver, and rose gold offer elegant options. Red and other bright colors attract customers who want a fun or unique color. In general, color preference tends to come down to personal taste.
How Durable Are the Different iPhone Colors?
Durability can vary among iPhone colors for several reasons:
– Aluminum versus glass backs – Aluminum iPhone models (iPhone 5C) are generally more durable than models with glass backs which can crack or shatter if dropped.
– Matte versus glossy finishes – Matte finishes (like the black iPhone 7) resist scratches better than glossy finishes.
– Color dye – The anodized dye used to color aluminum iPhone bodies can chip or scratch revealing the silver color underneath.
– Stains and discoloration – Lighter colors like white and gold tend to show stains and discoloration more easily. Darker colors resist visible stains.
– Scuffs and smudges – Darker colors like black and space gray can readily show smudges, scuffs and fingerprints. Lighter colors hide smudges better.
To maximize durability, cases and covers are recommended for protecting any iPhone model, regardless of color. But aluminum models with matte finishes and darker colors will resist visible wear the best over time.
How Are the Different Colors Achieved?
Apple uses various materials and manufacturing processes to achieve the range of colors offered for the iPhone lineup:
– Anodized aluminum – This is used on aluminum iPhone bodies. Anodizing allows color dyes to be infused into the aluminum for color options like gold, blue, red and more.
– Dyes – Different dyes are used to infuse color into the anodized layer of aluminum Apple uses. Recently Apple has shifted to more environmentally friendly dyes.
– Glass coloring – On glass-backed iPhones, the color is achieved by mixing color pigments into the glass material itself before forming the iPhone rear glass panel.
– Coatings – Ceramic-based coatings can be added over aluminum or glass to enhance color. For example, the glossy ceramic coating on jet black iPhones gives them a shiny black finish.
– Paint – Polycarbonate iPhone models like the iPhone 5C have the color mixed into the plastic material first, then painted over for an enhanced finish.
By precisely controlling materials, dyes, pigments, coatings and paints, Apple is able to offer a wide palette of colors on both aluminum and glass-based iPhones.
Are Certain iPhone Colors More Expensive?
In general, most iPhone colors have the same price tag. However, there are certain exceptions where a color costs more:
– Special edition colors – For example, the red iPhone models sell for $100 more than other colors, with proceeds going to charity.
– New colors on latest models – When a new color is introduced on the latest iPhone, it may initially have a slight premium over existing colors.
– Less popular colors – Colors that aren’t selling as quickly may get discounted by retailers wanting to clear inventory.
– Storage costs – On some models, higher storage tiers only come in certain colors, effectively making those colors more expensive.
– Limited editions – Special limited production runs of a color can drive up resale prices on third party markets.
Aside from those exceptions, most standard iPhone colors have the same MSRP from Apple. However, shopping around between retailers can reveal sale prices on certain iPhone colors throughout the year.
Matching Accessories to iPhone Colors
One benefit of Apple offering different colors is the ability to match accessories like cases and watch bands to your iPhone:
– Apple first-party accessories – Apple makes bands, cases, sleeves, and more for all the latest colors. This allows perfect color matching.
– Third party accessories – Major brands quickly offer cases and accessories in all new iPhone colors.
– Skins – Companies like Dbranded offer vinyl skins to customize any color. Great for personalizing a case.
– Neutral colors – Black, white, gray and clear cases still work with any colorful iPhone.
– Contrasting colors – Matching isn’t always necessary. Contrasting combos can look great.
With accessories made to fit new iPhone colors each year, it’s easy to find a case, band or skin that complements your iPhone color.
Should You Choose Color Based on Resale Value?
Can choosing certain iPhone colors get you more money down the road when reselling your device? Here are factors to consider concerning color and resale value:
– Limited editions – Special colors like red or jet black in low supply can command higher prices.
– New or rare colors – A brand new color on the latest model creates temporarily high demand.
– Color popularity – Common colors like black, white, silver and gold have steady demand.
– Color fatigue – If a color has been around a long time, it won’t stand out as much.
– Color trends – Colors fading in or out of fashion affects demand. Rose gold iPhones, for example.
– Color matching – Full sets with matching watch bands and cases hold value better.
Overall, the color itself has minimal impact on iPhone resale value. Limited supply, high demand, and complete color-matched sets do help, but intrinsic value matters most. Choosing a functional storage amount typically outweighs color concerns for profitable resale down the road.
How Often Should You Expect New iPhone Colors?
Apple usually refreshes the iPhone color lineup annually when they release new models each fall. Here is what to expect:
– All-new designs – Dramatically new iPhone designs get the most new colors. For example, the iPhone XR came in 6 new colors.
– S-year iPhones – On S cycle iPhones, like the iPhone XS, fewer new colors are introduced, if any.
– Pro colors differ – Non-Pro and Pro iPhones often get different color palettes. Pro colors tend to be more subdued.
– Special editions – Occasional special colors happen like red or jet black. These are never guaranteed.
– 2-3 new colors – Typical years see 2-3 new colors mixed with some older staples.
– Discontinued colors – Apple usually retires 1-2 colors that have been around 3+ years.
While not an absolute rule, you can reasonably expect exciting new colors when Apple overhauls iPhone designs in preparation for major sales.
How Colors Correlate to Sales
Color preferences definitely influence which iPhone models sell best for Apple. Here are some insights on iPhone colors and sales:
– Black is best – Black iPhones routinely outsell other colors 3:1 in most years according to statistics.
– Neutrals sell – After black, more neutral colors like white, gold and silver are next top sellers.
– Pro colors lag – Subdued Pro colors don’t sell as quickly as bold non-Pro colors.
– Red excels – Special red iPhones sell very fast, limited only by supply.
– New colors spike – When new, a color will represent higher % of sales until supply stabilizes.
– Buzz drives sales – iPhone colors that create buzz can lift sales above expectations.
Geography skews sales – Color preferences also vary by region. Gold sells more in Asia, for example.
While it takes work to analyze, new color options clearly boost overall iPhone sales year after year. Apple seems likely to continue offering color variety for years to come.
Conclusion
iPhone colors play an important role in Apple’s iPhone marketing and branding. While black and neutral tones sell best overall, new colors help generate excitement and interest around new iPhone models every year. The wide range of colors over the years provides customers an easy way to add personal flair and express their style. For an accessory company like Apple, colors also encourage sales of matching accessories. As long as colors contribute buzz and energy into the iPhone lineup, Apple will likely continue experimenting with new iPhone colors annually for years to come.