iPhone 17 Pro 17 Pro durability

[BigDO]

Looking to upgrade my 16 Pro to 17 Pro, primarily due to the fact that I have a 128GB unit which is feeling a bit cramped. I also like the cameras, screen and general hand feel of my wife's 17 Pro - the slightly thicker frame makes it much nicer to hold than the 16 Pro.

I am concerned about the durability - I don't use a case, and although I am not clumsy I've had an off occasion where the phone slips out of my pocket. The 16 Pro takes this in its stride, with no marks on the frame, or cracks on the screen or back. I know that the glass of the 17 Pro is even more durable, but I remember the initial hysteria about the frames denting very easily.

Now that the phone has been in the hands of users for a while, how much of a problem is this, for caseless users?

 

[Apple_Robert]

There is no ongoing problem with the durability of the 17 Pro. As long as you don't drop it or bang it hard against a hard object, you should be fine.

 

[BigDO]

There is no ongoing problem with the durability of the 17 Pro. As long as you don't drop it or bang it hard against a hard object, you should be fine.

I get that. As I mentioned, I do drop it from time to time, and I am wondering if it will be able to withstand this without denting the housing.

 

[MarkX]

I get that. As I mentioned, I do drop it from time to time, and I am wondering if it will be able to withstand this without denting the housing.

It will absolutely dent depending on what it falls on to, it's aluminium!

 

[Artemiz]

Tiled and wooden floors are not your problem. But dropping it on a hard floor like concrete will make a dent.

 

[AppleWes]

I get that. As I mentioned, I do drop it from time to time, and I am wondering if it will be able to withstand this without denting the housing.

Since you're already setting yourself up for a problem (dropping phone) use a case then. All versions of iPhone's will have damage if no case. Yes it will dent.

Common sense would say you need to be extremely careful if flat out refusing to use a case.

 

[Andeddu]

I get that. As I mentioned, I do drop it from time to time, and I am wondering if it will be able to withstand this without denting the housing.

If you are sensitive to damage, use a case. The individuals here who prefer to go caseless are super careful and have created their own systems/behaviours to prevent accidents, people like eyoungren.

You can’t have it both ways as phones are not indestructible. I have dropped my phone many times using an Apple TechWoven case, which provides minimal protection, and have observed zero damage. I have since switched to a UAG case for additional protection.

No drop is the same; many have dropped their naked 17 Pro onto hard surfaces with no damage inflicted while others have dents and chips. It’s just your luck.

 

[xeux]

My caseless 16 Pro survived a year of drops and heavy daily use without any noticeable wear. My caseless 17 Pro, with identical treatment, looks wrecked after just 6 months. The 17 Pro is a clear step backward in durability.

(Several dents, and scratches)

 

[BigDO]

My caseless 16 Pro survived a year of drops and heavy daily use without any noticeable wear. My caseless 17 Pro, with identical treatment, looks wrecked after just 6 months. The 17 Pro is a clear step backward in durability.

(Several dents, and scratches)

This is what I was looking for, thank you. My 16 Pro has been quite a tank, with zero marks or dents. 15PM, and 13 Pro have been the same.

It sucks to hear that 17 Pro is a step backward, as I really hate using cases. At the same time, I really like my wife’s 17 Pro and want one 😄

Do you mind posting a couple of pics of the wear on your 17 Pro?

 

[xeux]

I JUST got it replaced with Apple care but it looked like this on the bottom right corner and top left. I really hate cases so I'm sure my replacement will look the same shortly. I'll share as things progress!

Dear Apple, you can’t weasel your way out of the iPhone 17 Pro’s blatant problems

The iPhone 17 Pro was supposed to be a refreshing change after years of mediocrity, but it's turned out to be a very flawed and half-baked phone instead.

www.phonearena.com

 

[BigDO]

Ugh that would drive me up the wall. Especially since it doesn’t look like it was an impact with a rough surface (like concrete) since there is no paint loss, just that dent. You remember from what height, and what it fell on?

The one thing that’s making me want a 17 Pro is how much better it feels in hand - the curved housing and slightly more thickness make it much more pleasant to hold, and id hate to put a case on it.

 

[Macdctr]

This is what I was looking for, thank you. My 16 Pro has been quite a tank, with zero marks or dents. 15PM, and 13 Pro have been the same.

It sucks to hear that 17 Pro is a step backward, as I really hate using cases. At the same time, I really like my wife’s 17 Pro and want one 😄

Do you mind posting a couple of pics of the wear on your 17 Pro?

The 17 Pro/Pro Max durability have been well documented and has shown it is worse than previous generation iPhones. You can go caseless and if you’re always very careful, you might be okay but with the current Pro series, they will show blemishes if dropped on hard surfaces.

I got a Tekmomo Blue leather case for my 17 Pro when I got my new iPhone in December and have been using mine in the leather case since. No issue for me using a case on my iPhone.

 

[zenmacx]

My caseless 16 Pro survived a year of drops and heavy daily use without any noticeable wear. My caseless 17 Pro, with identical treatment, looks wrecked after just 6 months. The 17 Pro is a clear step backward in durability.

(Several dents, and scratches)

This is the exact same experience we’ve had with the three 17 Pros in our family.

Whereas the 16 Pro models were wonderfully durable, the 17’s are a huge disappointment showing all kinds of dings and scratches.

Instead of getting better, Apple slacked off. It’s one more reminder that the Cupertino company values profit taking above all. Cheap aluminum helps achieve that goal.

 

[Momof2.1107]

I have the 17PM and primarily 99% caseless. I have a glass screen protector on the front, clear sticker on the camera plateau and a glass covering the MagSafe square. I do have 2 silver bumpers to match my silver 17PM and 2 cases to use when I go out of town, in case I’m not near an Apple Store. 1.5 months ago, I dropped my phone at work in my work truck and I have a small dent on the bottom. I haven’t dropped it since and am more careful on where I sit down when I’m sitting down, and when I get in and out of my car.

 

[BigDO]

I have the 17PM and primarily 99% caseless. I have a glass screen protector on the front, clear sticker on the camera plateau and a glass covering the MagSafe square. I do have 2 silver bumpers to match my silver 17PM and 2 cases to use when I go out of town, in case I’m not near an Apple Store. 1.5 months ago, I dropped my phone at work in my work truck and I have a small dent on the bottom. I haven’t dropped it since and am more careful on where I sit down when I’m sitting down, and when I get in and out of my car.

You dropped it inside the truck and it got a dent?

 

[Macdctr]

You dropped it inside the truck and it got a dent?

It seems that the current gen Pro series were designed much more on improving thermal dynamics and incorporating materials and improved cooling technology in favor of having a proven durable outer shell/frame ensuring long term cosmetic condition.

As much as I would love seeing my devices in “naked” use instead of using a case for them, the current Pro series iPhones will need a case applied to them if you really want to keep them looking nice while using them. YMMV.

 

[Brettka7]

I won’t be buying an aluminum phone because I don’t use a case. My MacBook Pro has random small dents and I have NO idea where they came from.

My 16PM looked perfect when I traded it in, my iPhone Air looks perfect now despite dropping it 10x (never on pavement, but many times on tile and wood). The durability is unmatched.

Aluminum is a dealbreaker. I’d rather just use my Air til the end of its life.

 

[Macdctr]

I won’t be buying an aluminum phone because I don’t use a case. My MacBook Pro has random small dents and I have NO idea where they came from.

My 16PM looked perfect when I traded it in, my iPhone Air looks perfect now despite dropping it 10x (never on pavement, but many times on tile and wood). The durability is unmatched.

Aluminum is a dealbreaker. I’d rather just use my Air til the end of its life.

Between my 17 Pro and my Air, I prefer using my Air because of how light and thin it is as well as having the titanium frame which not only looks better but is far more durable than the aluminum frame used on the current Pro series iPhones.

In fact, I find myself preferring to use my minis as well because of the small compact size. I have never dropped my minis when using them.

 

[Alex W.]

honestly, i think there is some serious issues with the Pro Max, im seeing endless videos and photos of phones bent, extremely bent and countless dents.

Its using Aluminimum 5080, its terrible for a pro product.
I'm debating sitting on the 16 pro max until 20th gen comes along and skipping the aluminium.

 

[Alex W.]

I spoke to this guy he said it did this being in his front pocket and the phone is trash material.

 

[ayephoner]

Instead of getting better, Apple slacked off. It’s one more reminder that the Cupertino company values profit taking above all. Cheap aluminum helps achieve that goal.

I'm not sure how much you would be willing to believe them, but the claim is that aluminum was chosen to help with heat reduction. That was obviously a priority with the 17pros. I keep a case on mine and don't really drop it much. It looks brand new.

OP, it sounds like you should wait 6 months for the 18 models. I'm sure plenty of leaks will come out before then to help guide your decision making.

 

[Macdctr]

At this point I would hold off on getting a new iPhone until the new 18 series comes out. To be perfectly honest, I think the 16 Pro/Pro Max is a better iPhone right now.

 

[subjonas]

It definitely sounds like you'll need a case if you get a 17 Pro, because obviously aluminum is softer. I suppose there is some question of exactly how much softer, and exactly what your tolerances are for cosmetic wear.

But FYI aluminum was the overall best material to use for the iPhone 17 Pro due to the faster chip that required better thermals (even the previous titanium 15 and 16 had a lot of reports of overheating), and due to the increased component weight (camera, battery, vapor chamber) that required decreasing the casing weight as much as possible. The 17 Pro already weighs more than the 16 Pro and people complain about it--with titanium it would have weighed even more and gotten even more complaints. Can't please everyone so companies can only try to please the majority, and the majority use cases whether aluminum or titanium or steel.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I just use a case on any iPhone I use as it doesn't seem worth the risk. I can't see any tangible benefit for not using a case in all honesty.

 

[BigDO]

I just use a case on any iPhone I use as it doesn't seem worth the risk. I can't see any tangible benefit for not using a case in all honesty.

It looks and feels better.

I pulled the trigger and got the 17 Pro in silver, will see how it goes.