Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro series has officially introduced a new color called “Cosmic Orange,” which has caused a sensation in China since its launch in the autumn of 2025, boosting Apple’s sales. Consumers have affectionately referred to this new color as “Hermes Orange,” drawing inspiration from the iconic color of Hermes handbags.
The high-end iPhone 17 Pro series now includes the vibrant Cosmic Orange, with its high color saturation and glossy orange-red tones, making it a standout color among Apple products – youthful, personalized, and giving off a bold statement.
According to the Financial Times, thousands of Chinese users have been flaunting their orange phones on social media platforms.
The popularity of the “Hermes Orange” iPhone 17 in China may be related to the word “orange” itself. The pronunciation of “orange” in Mandarin sounds similar to the word for “success,” carrying positive connotations.
Therefore, many Chinese netizens have shared blessings online, wishing for success and prosperity with phrases like, “May all your wishes turn orange, and may success arrive in an instant.”
A model and internet celebrity showcased the color in a video, describing it as “very special” and directly associating it with the signature color of luxury brand Hermes. Consumer David Qiu, after purchasing the new color, also commented on its high recognizability and freshness.
Nabila Popal, Senior Research Director at IDC, told the Financial Times: “It sounds simple, but the significant changes in the design, including the introduction of the striking orange color, have attracted early adopters for upgrades.”
Apple announced that iPhone sales in China hit a record high in the fourth quarter of 2025, with revenue increasing by 38% year-on-year to $26 billion, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the company’s total revenue.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook informed analysts that the company set a new record for iPhone upgrade volume among Chinese consumers. The company also saw double-digit growth in the number of users switching from competitors’ operating systems to iOS (i.e., from Android to iPhone).
“In general, the Chinese market performed exceptionally well this quarter, and we are very pleased with it,” Cook said during the earnings call.