Newly shared prototype images today show that Apple has considered turning the iPhone X into the dark and glossy “jet black” finish. This color was incredibly popular when it was first introduced with the iPhone 7, but it had some major concerns about durability …
The images come from Mr. White on Twitter, who regularly share prototypes of older Apple products. These images show the iPhone X design in jet black along with the space gray version that Apple finally shipped. The jet black color is clearly much darker than the space gray was in the end.
There are no brands on the iPhone shown on these photos because the device was in the prototype stage. It is unclear how far the jet black iPhone has reached the prototype.
As a refurbishment, the iPhone X was only available in two colors: space gray and silver. Apple has reportedly planned a version of the iPhone X in gold, as evidenced by images leaked by the FCC, but it ultimately never saw the light of day.
iPhone 7 jet black history
The jet black variant of the iPhone 7 was very popular and initially very difficult to get due to imbalances in supply and demand. This popularity came especially despite concerns about durability. Even Apple warned that the jet-black iPhone 7 would be prone to ‘fine micro-scraping’, saying at the time:
The glossy finish of the jet black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precise anodizing and polishing process of nine steps. Its surface is just as hard as other anodized Apple products; however, its high gloss can show fine micro-abrasions during use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest that you use one of the many cases available to protect your iPhone.
Sure enough, me 9to5Mac Zac Hall, a colleague, shared a follow-up one year after the launch of the iPhone 7 and showed how reports his jet-black iPhone 7 has become.
This concern about durability may be why Apple decided to make the iPhone X available in jet black next year, despite prototyping the idea. The iPhone X was also severely limited, and Apple likely had to reduce the number of SKUs to simplify production and keep pace with demand.
What do you think of the iPhone X prototype in jet black? Would you have opted for jet black if you had the option in 2017? Let us know in the comments!
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