Apple Blames In-Store MagSafe Chargers for iPhone 17 Pro Display Model Scratches

[MacRumors]

The marks on the iPhone 17 Pro models that people have noticed at Apple retail stores are caused by the chargers that Apple uses, Apple confirmed today.

Apple told 9to5Mac that worn MagSafe charging stands in stores are causing marks on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple says that the marks are not scratches, and are instead material transfer from the stand to the phone. The marks are removable with cleaning, according to Apple.

Apple will fix the problem in Apple Stores, and the company says that other models like the iPhone 16 are also affected.

Separately, scratch tests have suggested that the camera plateau area on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max is prone to scratching. Apple says that the edges of the iPhone 17 Pro camera plateau have similar characteristics to the aluminum cases on other Apple devices, like the MacBook. The edges are designed to be durable and undergo testing prior to release, but Apple claims that users may see normal wear and tear that includes small abrasions over time.

Article Link: Apple Blames In-Store MagSafe Chargers for iPhone 17 Pro Display Model Scratches

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple told 9to5Mac that worn MagSafe charging stands in stores are causing marks on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Yeah!
Who installed those bloody things!?
The company that runs these stores really needs to install new charging stands!!

 

[Gannon98]

Aren't all the user models scratching easily too?

 

[SuburbanPauper]

So you're telling me the internet jumped to conclusions and made something overblown? Didn't see that coming…

 

[Phogro]

Kind of what I expected from them after seeing all the testing. Looks like generally the case is fairly durable with the exception of the sharp edge along the camera bump which can chip and reveal the natural metal. I'm not too concerned, my phones always end up with some wear marks over the years, as long as it still functions I'm fine with it. But that first scratch is never fun.

 

[FilthyPoor]

Coming soon: iClear liquid £129.99 $138.99.

 

[dannyyankou]

But this means anyone who puts their iPhone on a MagSafe stand like this one will receive scratches.

And lol at “material transfer”. I looked at these iPhones yesterday at a store, and tried to rub out the scratches on one phone. Nothing happened. They’re scratches. And I use an old MagSafe stand without a case. I never have any material transfer.

I just know for iPhone 18 they’ll bring Ceramic Shield 2 to the back glass and call it a “feature”.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The in-store chargers have been doing this for years. At least Apple has commented directly on the matter. Sadly it doesn't take much effort at all now days for people to complain and find fault in every product possible. I miss the days when common sense was common and people didn't expect daily tools to stay new looking.

 

[Simmias]

I don’t think Apple should have even commented on this. Every Apple launch brings with it a horde of attention seekers looking for the latest “gate” (i.e. any real or imagined minor flaws they can discover that make Apple look bad). It’s a mark of Apple’s quality control and manufacturing prowess that these “scandals” (i.e. social modes hoaxes) have become increasingly minute and desperate over the years. Responding just legitimizes the silly memes and becomes game of whack-a-mole they can’t win. Ignore the trolls and move on.

 

[maczaddy]

Normal ware and tear instantly upon placing it in your pocket?

 

[falkon-engine]

don't charge it wrong ... 🤣

 

[doomfront]

JRE basically showed the same thing. Most of the "scratches" come off easily. The actual scratches are primarily around the camera bump corners

 

[gleepskip]

Do the new phones have an outer shell made from FineWoven?

 

[dannyyankou]

By the way, if you really want to see for yourself how much Apple is BS’ing, go to an Apple Store and take an iPhone 16 on off one of the MagSafe cases. Then compare it to an iPhone 17 Pro. This is clearly a phone specific issue.

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

Serves you right for buying those ridiculous colours

Haha

My silver is amazing!!

 

[magicschoolbus]

Can't wait to buy the iPhone 18 Pro with Ceramic Shield Titan - 3x reinforced and scratch proof aluminum

 

[BarrettF77]

So they basically are not owning their decision for how the bump scratches easier. Got it!

I don’t have that wear issue on my MacBook Pro. It it also isn’t handled the same way a phone is. Haven’t been successful putting my laptop in my pocket for a while….

 

[turbineseaplane]

By the way, if you really want to see for yourself how much Apple is BS’ing, go to an Apple Store and take an iPhone 16 on off one of the MagSafe cases. Then compare it to an iPhone 17 Pro. This is clearly a phone specific issue.

That's interesting.
So it really is phone specific on some material change they've done here?

 

[segfaultdotorg]

“You’re cleaning it wrong!”

 

[winxmac]

Apple is saying the cause of failure of their own product is their own product?

 

[F23]

Tim gets Cooked by his own chargers

 

[macduke]

More proof that Apple doesn't test anything anymore.

 

[F23]

Apple is saying the cause of failure of their own product is their own product?

"We're charging it wrong"

 

[Kylo83]

Yeah it’s true the metal on the MagSafe scratches it

 

[dannyyankou]

That's interesting.
So it really is phone specific on some material change they've done here?

Let me just be clear and say I haven't compared them for myself. But if this was an issue with the iPhone 16 series, we certainly would've seen headlines about it. But something must have changed.