Yellow Tinted / Warmer Colors on iPhone 17 Pro Max Display

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Yellow Tinted / Warmer Colors on iPhone 17 Pro Max Display

I recently upgraded from my iPhone 16 Pro Max to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. However, I noticed that the colors on the 17 Pro Max appeared different from the 16 Pro Max. This was supposed to be a “Pro” display that would accurately represent colors, but instead, everything on the 17 Pro Max looked warmer or yellowish.

To investigate further, I conducted side-by-side comparisons using a true white picture and asked a few people if they noticed the same issue. We all agreed that the 17 Pro Max had warmer whites compared to the 16 Pro Max, which had a bluer tint.

Additionally, I believe the indoor maximum brightness of the display is higher on the 16 Pro Max, but I didn’t have the right tools to measure it accurately. As a non-professional photographer, I’ve been using my MacBook Pro and iPhone together to edit pictures and share it, and I’ve never noticed a significant color difference when transferring images between the two devices. This was one of the advantages of these P3 displays for me.

However, now I feel like the 17 Pro Max has become a downgrade, and I can’t rely on it for editing my pictures.

I’ve reached out to Apple Park Visitor Center where I bought my phone, but they haven’t heard of such a complaint before. They offered to replace the device, thinking it might be a problem with that specific unit. However, when I used the replacement device, I encountered the same issue. Then, I reached out to Apple’s support, but their assistance was quite limited. They asked me if I had tried turning off and on the device or using the True Tone feature and Color Filters. Unfortunately, neither of these solutions helped. I then visited the Genius Bar, but they informed me that they couldn’t perform repairs and didn’t have replacement units available. This was not very helpful either.

I’m considering returning the phone and continuing to use my 16 Pro Max, which still functions perfectly and at least has the correct color.

Has anyone else noticed a similar issue?

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 26, 2025 4:24 PM

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Answer 1

emirkose Author

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Oct 4, 2025 4:55 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Hi Jeff, thanks for your reply.

I tried creating support tickets twice. The last one reached a “senior” support representative who suggested that perhaps that’s how the new iPhone works.

Unfortunately, the given options were either I had to rely solely on my MacBook Pro for editing, which is quite the opposite of why I bought the new Pro Max or I could have returned the iPhone and continued using my 16 Pro Max. So, I decided to return it. If they manage to fix the issue, I might reconsider buying another iPhone in the future or wait for the next model.

Do you mean the Reduce White Point option in the accessibility settings? No, I didn’t enable that. We also went over all the settings with the representative while she was live viewing my screen.

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Answer 2

Oct 4, 2025 4:23 AM in response to emirkose

I believe Apple diversified their supply chain for iPhone 17 models with some supplied by LG and some by Samsung. This is something that can be adjusted in a firmware update in the future.

The correct procedure is to open a support ticket with Apple Support. If enough people observe the issue and open tickets, engineering will become aware of the issue and be able to work on a resolution.

I have a 17 PM that does not have a color tint issue. Have you adjusted your White Point by chance?

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Answer 3

Oct 4, 2025 7:42 AM in response to emirkose

Are you still within the return period for the iPhone? Apple allows 14 days, other merchants return policy may differ.

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Answer 4

Oct 4, 2025 5:13 AM in response to emirkose

It’s got to reach engineering in order to be analyzed correctly. The senior support representative short stopped your issue. He should have escalated to engineering, which is basically the next step. Not sure why it was stopped. Are you near an Apple Store?

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Answer 5

Oct 4, 2025 7:00 AM in response to Murray Alexander

You can reduce it by going into Settings - Camera - Preserve Settings - Photographic Style and turn that on...then go back to the actual camera app and bring up "styles"...move the dot around the square to get the colours you like (and get rid of the yellow tint that makes whites look...errr...yellow) and that will then be saved for future photos.

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Answer 6

emirkose Author

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Sep 26, 2025 4:37 PM in response to emirkose

EDIT: One more difference I can think of between the two devices is that the 16 Pro Max was purchased from Europe, while the 17 Pro Max was purchased from the USA. I’m not sure if that’s relevant, though.

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Answer 7

emirkose Author

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Oct 4, 2025 7:27 AM in response to Jeff Donald

I was disappointed that neither Apple Support nor the Apple Store Genius could help me. My expectations from Apple Support were much higher than this. Unfortunately, the closest Apple Store is a 2.5-hour drive away in another city.

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Answer 8

emirkose Author

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Oct 4, 2025 7:33 AM in response to Murray Alexander

That’s a great suggestion! It could solve the issue for your taste when you look back at those pictures you took on your iPhone 17. However, when you do this, it will still look completely different on other devices, right? For instance, when you share it on Instagram, send it to someone else, or view it on my other iPhone, it will appear more blueish than on mine.

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Answer 9

emirkose Author

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Oct 4, 2025 7:38 AM in response to Jeff Donald

That’s correct. I even saw system setting more yellowish. Of course the main problem is the photos but I just want to them to be in their true colors and same across all my devices, and hopefully same for people online when I post them. For that reason I almost never use night shift or True Tone as well.

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Answer 10

Oct 4, 2025 3:33 AM in response to emirkose

Same here, horrible, unnatural yellow-ish tint applied to photos where white items are in view...yuk. Can't seem to get rid of it either, probably will return my iPhone 17 Air.

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Answer 11

Oct 4, 2025 7:03 AM in response to Murray Alexander

You’re only seeing the yellow tint in images taken with Apple Camera app, correct? OP states everything looks yellow. This sounds like two different issues.

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Answer 12

emirkose Author

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Oct 4, 2025 9:20 AM in response to Jeff Donald

I already return in unfortunately.

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Yellow Tinted / Warmer Colors on iPhone 17 Pro Max Display

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