iPhone 17 Pro Max Caseless users of 17PM. How’s the exterior holding up during daily use?

[kmichalec]

I’m considering upgrading from a 15PM Natural Titanium to a 17PM Silver. I always use my phones caseless. I’m very careful with my phone, always putting it in my jeans pocket by itself (never with other objects), and am careful when placing it on hard surfaces. I also charge using MagSafe chargers and very rarely plug in a cord (so no marks on the bottom next to the port). I’ve had my 15PM for over 2 years now, and it looks pristine, with literally no marks on the side or back, as it’s been very durable. I expected some minor marks after 2+ years, and was presently surprised how well the 15PM held up.

I know there is a difference in material hardness between Titanium vs Aluminum. I’m not looking for doom and gloom from people who don’t even own the phone and are speculating it will/won’t scratch up, nor people telling me I should put a cover on my phone. I like what I like, and I like to use my phones caseless. Just trying to get real world experience feedback from actual users and whether you are seeing it being pretty durable so far, or whether you are seeing marks/scratches from normal, regular use. (Obviously, if you dropped your phone, and it scratched/dented, that’s a different story).

Actual feedback please… and thank you!

 

[Aneef]

I have a Silver 17 PM which I got on the launch day. I have a clearcase for it, but 99% of times my phone is caseless. I use the case only when I am out for a walk on concrete, otherwise, i love the bare feel. So far, perfect (mashaAllah)

 

[JamesMcFlyJR]

Have been using my iPhones caseless since basically the XS Max. So 13PM, 15PM, 16PM and now the 17PM in silver.

sorry to say but the 17PM has been a major disappointment for me with the downgrade to aluminum.

Have been using the 17PM caseless since launch day and have had a moment that left minuscule dents. I was placing my phone down on a granite countertop where my phone slipped and fell onto the countertop. we are talking less than an inch away kind of drop. i look at the edge of my phone and two little 1mm long dents have appeared. i was honestly shocked to see this happen.

I haven’t been this disappointed in upgrading since i think forever. if it wasn’t for the great carrier trade in deal i got, i would have major regrets and definitely would’ve returned my 17PM and stuck with the 16PM

For the first time in a long time, i have a case coming in on the way. i never drop my phone. never broke my phone. but the images i see online of play dough like damage on the new 17 pros (and my own experience over these short few weeks), got me rethinking not using a case

edit: and you know what is crazy? i took a iPhone 13 i had laying around unused and did a test where i took it to the same granite countertop and used light to medium force and tried to dent it. like more force than when my 17PM slipped out of my hand. no damage. there isn’t a chance apple used some weaker aluminum on the new 17 Pros is there?

 

[kmichalec]

I have a Silver 17 PM which I got on the launch day. I have a clearcase for it, but 99% of times my phone is caseless. I use the case only when I am out for a walk on concrete, otherwise, i love the bare feel. So far, perfect (mashaAllah)

What phone did you upgrade from, if i may ask (assuming you upgraded)?

 

[kmichalec]

Have been using my iPhones caseless since basically the XS Max. So 13PM, 15PM, 16PM and now the 17PM in silver.

sorry to say but the 17PM has been a major disappointment for me with the downgrade to aluminum.

Have been using the 17PM caseless since launch day and have had a moment that left minuscule dents. I was placing my phone down on a granite countertop where my phone slipped and fell onto the countertop. we are talking less than an inch away kind of drop. i look at the edge of my phone and two little 1mm long dents have appeared. i was honestly shocked to see this happen.

I haven’t been this disappointed in upgrading since i think forever. if it wasn’t for the great carrier trade in deal i got, i would have major regrets and definitely would’ve returned my 17PM and stuck with the 16PM

For the first time in a long time, i have a case coming in on the way. i never drop my phone. never broke my phone. but the images i see online of play dough like damage on the new 17 pros (and my own experience over these short few weeks), got me rethinking not using a case

edit: and you know what is crazy? i took a iPhone 13 i had laying around unused and did a test where i took it to the same granite countertop and used light to medium force and tried to dent it. like more force than when my 17PM slipped out of my hand. no damage. there isn’t a chance apple used some weaker aluminum on the new 17 Pros is there?

Interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t use a thinner aluminum, as all companies are looking for shortcuts to maximize profits for shareholders.

Thank you for the honest feedback. That is my hesitation. I’m not rough on my phones, but would be disappointed if regular usage results in noticeable scratches/dents. I think the Titanium on the 15PM has jaded me a bit.

 

[NotApplicable]

The new pros appear to scratch and dent if looked at wrong. Significantly more prone to showing normal wear and tear than all Pro iPhones ever released.

But, some people suggest the damage should be worn proudly as “patina.”

 

[Aneef]

What phone did you upgrade from, if i may ask (assuming you upgraded)?

Yes it was a big upgrade for me as I upgraded from a Samsung Note 10 Lite. Previous to that, I used an iPhone 7+.

However, as for going caseless is concerned, I used to use the Note 10 Lite caseless as well, and I happened to drop my phone last year on a paved driveway and the screen broke, though it had a screen protector on as well, but it fell from a 5 ft height, so I don't blame the phone.

The point is, though I am going caseless at the moment as well, but it only takes one bad moment to ruin it, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Isamilis]

Have been using my iPhones caseless since basically the XS Max. So 13PM, 15PM, 16PM and now the 17PM in silver.

sorry to say but the 17PM has been a major disappointment for me with the downgrade to aluminum.

Have been using the 17PM caseless since launch day and have had a moment that left minuscule dents. I was placing my phone down on a granite countertop where my phone slipped and fell onto the countertop. we are talking less than an inch away kind of drop. i look at the edge of my phone and two little 1mm long dents have appeared. i was honestly shocked to see this happen.

I haven’t been this disappointed in upgrading since i think forever. if it wasn’t for the great carrier trade in deal i got, i would have major regrets and definitely would’ve returned my 17PM and stuck with the 16PM

For the first time in a long time, i have a case coming in on the way. i never drop my phone. never broke my phone. but the images i see online of play dough like damage on the new 17 pros (and my own experience over these short few weeks), got me rethinking not using a case

edit: and you know what is crazy? i took a iPhone 13 i had laying around unused and did a test where i took it to the same granite countertop and used light to medium force and tried to dent it. like more force than when my 17PM slipped out of my hand. no damage. there isn’t a chance apple used some weaker aluminum on the new 17 Pros is there?

Probably because 17 pros is heavier than 13?

 

[JamesMcFlyJR]

Probably because 17 pros is heavier than 13?

not when i’m taking the iphone 13 and hitting it against the granite countertop

that’s more force than a little drop with a 17 pro max even if the 17 pro max is heavier.

 

[joshwithachance]

Have been using my iPhones caseless since basically the XS Max. So 13PM, 15PM, 16PM and now the 17PM in silver.

sorry to say but the 17PM has been a major disappointment for me with the downgrade to aluminum.

Have been using the 17PM caseless since launch day and have had a moment that left minuscule dents. I was placing my phone down on a granite countertop where my phone slipped and fell onto the countertop. we are talking less than an inch away kind of drop. i look at the edge of my phone and two little 1mm long dents have appeared. i was honestly shocked to see this happen.

I haven’t been this disappointed in upgrading since i think forever. if it wasn’t for the great carrier trade in deal i got, i would have major regrets and definitely would’ve returned my 17PM and stuck with the 16PM

For the first time in a long time, i have a case coming in on the way. i never drop my phone. never broke my phone. but the images i see online of play dough like damage on the new 17 pros (and my own experience over these short few weeks), got me rethinking not using a case

edit: and you know what is crazy? i took a iPhone 13 i had laying around unused and did a test where i took it to the same granite countertop and used light to medium force and tried to dent it. like more force than when my 17PM slipped out of my hand. no damage. there isn’t a chance apple used some weaker aluminum on the new 17 Pros is there?

Nope. It’s just that the 17 Pro Max is SIGNIFICANTLY heavier, and therefore every drop is much more likely to cause damage. Could also have something to do with the anodization process as well. But at the end of the day, aluminum is aluminum. And being such a soft metal it’s going to dent or scratch with very little fuss.

 

[hoobury]

17PM in orange here and overall happy with a question for the group that I'll get to at the end.

I upgrade every year and have been going case-less for many years now. I use a MagSafe ring to give it a little bit of grip so I've avoided dropping the phone but the real security is I've just sucked it up and have AppleCare.

My favorite look and feel is probably still the 16 Pro Max. I generally prefer the look and feel of the squared off models. Both from an aesthetic and the square edges add a little grip. So think iPhone 4 and 5 and then iPhone 12 to 16. I find the rounded ones (iPhone 6-11) to be a little slippery.

The 17PM is in between. It's squared off in that is has flat edges but rounded transitions from the back to the sides. When you first pick it up, if feels good and comfortable in the hand.

It is heavier which I do find annoying. I may get used to it but for now, it's noticeable. The 15PM was great. the 16PM pushed it to the edge for me.

I don't notice a difference in the smoothness/ feel between the two as they're both metal and they both feel like metal.

With one caveat and here's my question for the group. The aluminum in the 17PM seems to warm up faster in my hand. After holding and using the 16PM for a while, it still felt cool to the touch whereas the entire surface of the 17PM feels warm. I am not talking about the phone getting warm from use. I'm saying, after holding the 17PM, even without using it, it warms up in my hand.

Now, in everyday use, here's my slight issue. I don't have particularly sweaty hands. But after a while, the warmth does lead to some perspiration and my phone feels more sticky. I don't remember this as an issue with the 16PM ever. I find myself wiping down the 17PM more frequently. After washing my hands in the bathroom, I'll take the slightly damp paper towel I just used to give the phone a quick wipe down to restore it back to slick metal. I am a slightly compulsive hand washer so this probably isn't a surprise that I notice immediately when the phone doesn't feel completely slick.

It's not enough to bother me or make me want to return the phone. But I do miss the titanium and glass.

Has anyone else noticed what I'm talking about here?

 

[Momof2.1107]

17PM in orange here and overall happy with a question for the group that I'll get to at the end.

I upgrade every year and have been going case-less for many years now. I use a MagSafe ring to give it a little bit of grip so I've avoided dropping the phone but the real security is I've just sucked it up and have AppleCare.

My favorite look and feel is probably still the 16 Pro Max. I generally prefer the look and feel of the squared off models. Both from an aesthetic and the square edges add a little grip. So think iPhone 4 and 5 and then iPhone 12 to 16. I find the rounded ones (iPhone 6-11) to be a little slippery.

The 17PM is in between. It's squared off in that is has flat edges but rounded transitions from the back to the sides. When you first pick it up, if feels good and comfortable in the hand.

It is heavier which I do find annoying. I may get used to it but for now, it's noticeable. The 15PM was great. the 16PM pushed it to the edge for me.

I don't notice a difference in the smoothness/ feel between the two as they're both metal and they both feel like metal.

With one caveat and here's my question for the group. The aluminum in the 17PM seems to warm up faster in my hand. After holding and using the 16PM for a while, it still felt cool to the touch whereas the entire surface of the 17PM feels warm. I am not talking about the phone getting warm from use. I'm saying, after holding the 17PM, even without using it, it warms up in my hand.

Now, in everyday use, here's my slight issue. I don't have particularly sweaty hands. But after a while, the warmth does lead to some perspiration and my phone feels more sticky. I don't remember this as an issue with the 16PM ever. I find myself wiping down the 17PM more frequently. After washing my hands in the bathroom, I'll take the slightly damp paper towel I just used to give the phone a quick wipe down to restore it back to slick metal. I am a slightly compulsive hand washer so this probably isn't a surprise that I notice immediately when the phone doesn't feel completely slick.

It's not enough to bother me or make me want to return the phone. But I do miss the titanium and glass.

Has anyone else noticed what I'm talking about here?

I too go caseless and have noticed that the 17PM’s aluminum gets slightly warm to the touch just from me holding it, but not warm enough to bother me. I wash my hands a lot because of my job so I have to use lotion frequently because my hands are dry, and I’ve noticed that the aluminum has a different feel when I’ve been holding it for a while. It’s a different feel from my titanium 15PM.

 

[Thor_9]

Throw my 17PM violently on concrete, no damage.

Hit my 17PM repeatedly with a Ma Deuce, no damage.

Dropped it on a pillow and the phone cracked in half.

YMMV.

 

[kmichalec]

17PM in orange here and overall happy with a question for the group that I'll get to at the end.

I upgrade every year and have been going case-less for many years now. I use a MagSafe ring to give it a little bit of grip so I've avoided dropping the phone but the real security is I've just sucked it up and have AppleCare.

My favorite look and feel is probably still the 16 Pro Max. I generally prefer the look and feel of the squared off models. Both from an aesthetic and the square edges add a little grip. So think iPhone 4 and 5 and then iPhone 12 to 16. I find the rounded ones (iPhone 6-11) to be a little slippery.

The 17PM is in between. It's squared off in that is has flat edges but rounded transitions from the back to the sides. When you first pick it up, if feels good and comfortable in the hand.

It is heavier which I do find annoying. I may get used to it but for now, it's noticeable. The 15PM was great. the 16PM pushed it to the edge for me.

I don't notice a difference in the smoothness/ feel between the two as they're both metal and they both feel like metal.

With one caveat and here's my question for the group. The aluminum in the 17PM seems to warm up faster in my hand. After holding and using the 16PM for a while, it still felt cool to the touch whereas the entire surface of the 17PM feels warm. I am not talking about the phone getting warm from use. I'm saying, after holding the 17PM, even without using it, it warms up in my hand.

Now, in everyday use, here's my slight issue. I don't have particularly sweaty hands. But after a while, the warmth does lead to some perspiration and my phone feels more sticky. I don't remember this as an issue with the 16PM ever. I find myself wiping down the 17PM more frequently. After washing my hands in the bathroom, I'll take the slightly damp paper towel I just used to give the phone a quick wipe down to restore it back to slick metal. I am a slightly compulsive hand washer so this probably isn't a surprise that I notice immediately when the phone doesn't feel completely slick.

It's not enough to bother me or make me want to return the phone. But I do miss the titanium and glass.

Has anyone else noticed what I'm talking about here?

So you do feel a significant difference in weight between the 15PM, 16PM and 17PM? Another concern of mine going from a 15PM -> 17PM.