I think the prominence of Gold/Silver/Black/White is simply because of efficiency/cost, not due to any universal recognition of them. If Apple or Samsung made Dark Green, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Electric Yellow, etc, as a common color in their lineup, people would buy it.
There is an audience for every color... But will every color sell the same and since the cost of color varies, testing is done to see not only which color will end up more bought but if the other colors are worth the price variance.
Silver also ended up as an iconic color and cases would be sold in other colors for people wanting it to be the color of their choice. But silver is neither masculine or feminine, meaning both genders will buy. Same can be said with black and white. You can say other colors as well but common colors, even for cars, will always be black and white.
BTW, apple has used a variety of colors back then, but since they stopped, my guess is that they didn't end up selling well.
But again, the pink and light blue phone seems more likely to appeal to a feminine audience. Does it make it a female color option? No.
the pic above makes doesnt help either.