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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Customers say they notice scratches on new iPhone 17 Pro units.
- The scratches appear on models still on display in-store.
- iPhone 17 buyers should use a case to protect their phones.
Another new iPhone rollout, another possible controversy. This time, the iPhone 17 is in the crosshairs as buyers and potential customers are complaining that the phones scratch too easily, even ones still on display in Apple stores.
The reports started surfacing this past weekend after the new iPhone lineup officially appeared in stores last Friday. So far, people have noticed scuffs on the deep blue variants of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max and scratches on the iPhone 17 Air Space Black edition, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
Also: I’ve tested every iPhone 17 model, and I’m recommending something different this time
The flaws have been discovered on new phones in Apple stores across New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London. Apple’s MagSafe charger is also apparently leaving a visible circular mark on the backs of iPhone 17 Pro models, Bloomberg added.
Disgruntled customers have been chiming in on social media. In China,where the iPhone 17 first popped up for sale last Friday, people took to the Weibo social network to post photos of the scratched phones. The related hashtag was one of the top trending topics on the network, grabbing more than 40 million views, according to Bloomberg. Users also posted on Facebook and X with images of scuffs and scratches.
Videos showing scratched phones have appeared on YouTube, as well. In one video, popular YouTuber JerryRigEverything intentionally scratched the back of an iPhone 17 Pro to show how some areas are more susceptible than others.
Also: I’m skipping the iPhone 17 Pro this year – 3 reasons the base model makes more sense
For example, the camera lenses are protected by Gorilla Glass, while the edges around the camera plateau seem vulnerable to scratching and even chipping. JerryRigEverything was also able to scratch the back of the iPhone 17 Pro. But here, he was able to easily wipe off the scratches.
Responding to concerns that Scratchgate reports may be overblown, a writer at CultofMedia found scratch marks on several demo units at an Apple store. But these weren’t surface-level scratches that could be easily removed, even after trying to wipe them off with a microfiber cloth.
Why does the iPhone 17 seem more prone to scratches and scuffs than previous models? The answer may lie in the material used for the frame.
For the iPhone 15 and 16 Pro lineup, Apple turned to titanium, a material that’s more durable than other types of metals but can become hot. In a likely move to deal with the overheating, the company outfitted the iPhone 17 Pro models with an aluminum frame, which doesn’t run as hot but is softer than titanium.
Also: I compared the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max: Here’s who should upgrade
For the back of the new Pro phones, Apple is using Ceramic Shield not just on the front, as it did in the past, but on the back. Though Ceramic Shield is supposed to be relatively scratch-resistant, scratches clearly are showing up, especially in the darker color models.
Apple has faced other iPhone controversies in the past, including Antennagate with the iPhone 4s and Bendgate with the iPhone 6. Will this latest problem also prove a headache for the company? I contacted Apple for comment on the issue and will update the story with any details.
The best advice is to always secure your phone with a case and a screen protector. That will safeguard it against scratches, scuffs, cracks, and other flaws. I use a clear case for my iPhone, which shows off the color but protects the back and edges. I do have to remove the case sometimes, if only to clean it. But even then, I’m careful how and where I place the phone while the case is off.
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