Recently shared prototype images show that Apple has considered making the iPhone X in the dark, shiny “jet black” finish. This color was incredibly popular when it was first introduced with the iPhone 7, but it had some important concerns about durability …
The images come from Mr. White on Twitter, which regularly shares prototypes of older Apple products. These images show the design of the iPhone X in jet black alongside the space gray version that Apple ended up selling. The jet black color is clearly much darker than the space gray turned out to be.
There is no mark on the iPhone shown in these photos because the device was in the prototype stage. It is unclear how far the black iPhone has reached the prototype stage.
To keep you cool, the iPhone X was available in just two colors: space gray and silver. Apple would have planned a gold version of the iPhone X, as evidenced by images leaked by the FCC, but it never finally saw the light of day.
black history of iPhone 7
The jet black variant of the iPhone 7 was very popular and also very difficult to obtain at first due to supply and demand imbalances. Notably, this popularity came despite concerns about durability. Even Apple warned that the jet black of the iPhone 7 would be prone to “fine micro-abrasions”, saying at the time:
The high gloss jet black finish of the iPhone 7 is achieved through a precise nine-step anodizing and polishing process. Its surface is as hard as that of other Apple anodized products; however, its high gloss may show fine micro-abrasions with use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest that you use one of the many covers available to protect your iPhone.
For sure, my 9to5Mac colleague Zac Hall shared a follow-up a year after the iPhone 7 was launched, showing how battered his black iPhone 7 had become.
These durability concerns may be the reason why Apple decided not to make the jet black iPhone X available the following year, despite making the prototype of the idea. The iPhone X also suffered severe supply restrictions, and Apple probably had to reduce the number of SKUs to simplify production and keep up with demand.
What do you think of the jet black iPhone X prototype? Would you have chosen jet black if you had the option in 2017? Let us know in the comments!
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