iPhone 17 Pro is Vulnerable to Scratching, But Not Where You Might Think

[FatLouie]

This article seems to be an attempt at damage control for Apple.

I am not sure what to think, but if you have to put a case on something to protect the finish, then perhaps the damn phones should just come in a clear coating.

I always use a case anyway, not to protect the finish, but to protect the phone from drops and similar activity.

 

[djcerla]

Ugliest iPhone yet. It’s the most functional as it remains cooler than any other iPhone. But this leaves a lot to be desired from a looks perspective. Hopefully iPhone 18 Pro can improve its looks without losing functionality

Hard disagree. It’s stunning in person

 

[MaxVerstappen]

Ugliest iPhone yet. It’s the most functional as it remains cooler than any other iPhone. But this leaves a lot to be desired from a looks perspective. Hopefully iPhone 18 Pro can improve its looks without losing functionality

If you want the looks get the Air. If you want the best camera system and top performance get the Pro. Simple ain’t it.

Next year the Pro’s are going to have the same aluminium unibody. It’s the best for optimal thermal solution. Best get used to it.

 

[MothJab]

Truly infuriating. I upgrade annually and this basically just reduces trade in value.

Let’s be honest. There’s no point to upgrade yearly.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

You’re holding it wrong

More like you're no longer holding it.

 

[robertc2k]

Early reports have suggested that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air are more vulnerable to scratches and scuffs, primarily due to damage spotted at Apple Stores.

Apple customers have discovered that the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models Apple has out for display at its retail locations have scratching in the area of the MagSafe charger. Those devices are handled by hundreds to thousands of people a day and are also attached to proprietary metal charging stands, so it's been unclear if iPhone models owned by customers will see the same issues.

YouTuber JerryRigEverything did a scratch test over the weekend, and his results suggest there is an area of the iPhone 17 Pro that's vulnerable to scratching, but it's not where Apple Store iPhones are seeing damage.

The iPhone 17 Pro models are made from aluminum this year, and Apple uses an anodization process to add color. The process provides a strong, scratch resistant finish that is similar to sapphire in terms of hardness. It's not easily scratched, and JerryRigEverything demonstrated that most of the iPhone 17 Pro's shell is going to hold up well against minor scratches, including the area where the Ceramic Shield 2 cutout is located for MagSafe charging.

Most is the key word when it comes to testing, because there is a vulnerable area. The camera plateau has a sharp, raised edge that is not chamfered, and it is a weak spot where the anodized layer is not well-adhered. The aluminum coating in the camera area does scratch easily.

Items typically found in a pocket, like keys and coins, did not cause damage anywhere on the iPhone 17 Pro, except at the edges of the camera plateau.

The scratch test results suggest that iPhone 17 Pro owners won't have to worry about the kind of scratching seen on iPhone models in Apple retail stores, but the camera is an area of concern. It is likely to get scratched, so if you're worried about that, you might want to use a case to prevent it. The coating on the iPhone 17 Pro models is thin, so more significant drops could cause damage in other areas.

Apple doesn't use the same anodization process for the iPhone Air as it does for the aluminum iPhone 17 Pro models. Apple has described its titanium coating process in the past, and it uses Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) to deposit a thin layer of colored titanium on the iPhone. It's possible the iPhone Air is more vulnerable than the iPhone 17 Pro, though it is looking like the scratched models in retail stores may have been damaged by the metal on the chargers that Apple uses.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro is Vulnerable to Scratching, But Not Where You Might Think

It’s an idiotic complaint. Like most surrounding an iPhone. You remember what you were doing 20 years ago? You were using a brick as a phone. Today you have this and yet you complain. Every single person that’s got even an ounce of a brain uses a case on a phone. This complaint is idiotically stupid. Don’t like it? Find an android phone and live in hell.

 

[robertc2k]

Don't like this Jerryrig channel. He's constantly firing cheap shots at Apple over the years while being the first to make videos about their products for the clicks.

I can’t tell you how many people I’ve stopped following because of these idiotic comments. It’s kind of like bitching about America. If you don’t like it, then get the hell out.

 

[jayducharme]

I agree with his questioning why the iPhone 17 Pro designers went with a sharp edge on the plateau. If they had chamfered it or rounded it (like everything else on the phone), there wouldn't have been as serious an issue with the color coming off.

 

[MTShipp]

When put an Apple clear case on my 17PM blue and then discovered a scuff in the camera plateau from pocket keys, I immediately bounty a ESR full rear protection clear case with entire rear covered except the camera lenses.

 

[jcshas]

In other words, best to use a case.

 

[jcshas]

I knew it was going to happen. Just look at the edge of the dark colored MacBook Pros, same exact thing!

View attachment 2557392View attachment 2557393

I have the M4 Macbook Pro in the same color, and mine is doing the same. It doesnt really bother me, but I'm glad I have Apple Care through 2027.

 

[cjsuk]

I put a case on mine. It’ll get some scratches too. On the screen and the camera bump. I am not bothered.

I just got my 13 pro I bought on release day back. It has some scratches. It has been around the world a couple of times, saved my life once and works like the day it was bought. Each scratch and dink has a story. From bashing it on a wall while drunk in Malta with friends to dropping it screen first on a rock in some mountains in Central Asia. Plus my daughter used it since I got the 15 pro and she added her own little dinks too.

A perfect phone is a boring life.

 

[Baritone_Guy]

It absolutely is,..I've seen it myself at 2 Apple stores! Where are you getting this info from? Have you seen the Applle store phones yourself? Very clickbaity.

That is from the mag safe chargers aluminum being scratched by the ceramic coating on the phones. It can be cleaned off. The Pro actually does scratch near the "plateau"

 

[Baritone_Guy]

Don't like this Jerryrig channel. He's constantly firing cheap shots at Apple over the years while being the first to make videos about their products for the clicks.

Not a fan either but watching him torturing the Air was pretty entertaining.

 

[CocktailHour]

I bought a case and am now waiting for the inevitable class action suit.

 

[CopiumWafu]

No so pro after all

 

[phenste]

maybe if a few more people complain, they'll hand out bumpers again.

no but genuinely I'm still laughing at the fact that they made bumpers for a phone that they knew was gonna immediately recall some of their biggest blunders

like, my god, just make the tagline for the Air "Courage." at this point

 

[Saturn1217]

Great. Do you think it will get better next year?

It could. I’m reminded of bendgate with the iPhone 6. When the 6s came out Apple highlighted the improved quality of the aluminum. If I remember correctly it was much more durable.

What is so frustrating is that even though they clearly a) have tons of experience working with aluminum and b) have been in almost this exact same situation before, they somehow didn’t anticipate this???

 

[Murdock12]

Not seeing any issues with my Air - only mentioning it since the end of the article suggests the Air might be more vulnerable.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

I agree with his questioning why the iPhone 17 Pro designers went with a sharp edge on the plateau. If they had chamfered it or rounded it (like everything else on the phone), there wouldn't have been as serious an issue with the color coming off.

Yeah, that's pretty puzzling. A rounded camera plateau upper edge would probably have looked fine, and would have fit in with the rest of the housing's aesthetics. The sharp edge is actually out of place in the design. Maybe Apple thought it would be a clever idea to "echo" the looks of the Apple Watch Ultra's housing.

iPhone 18 Pro housing redesign, here we come

 

[segfaultdotorg]

On its back? That’s my most annoying place to scratch.

 

[2010lexus]

This video is purely clickbait. People have been making videos like this about the iPhone since the beginning.

I would like to point out to JerryRig that I could easily scratch almost anything with a box cutter knife.

For his next video, he could do a bend test on the iPhone Air and then a drop test.

 

[mikeack]

Ugliest iPhone yet. It’s the most functional as it remains cooler than any other iPhone. But this leaves a lot to be desired from a looks perspective. Hopefully iPhone 18 Pro can improve its looks without losing functionality

Hot take: This is the best Pro design yet because it finally respects the "Pro" name. The utilitarian focus on cooling and function is the actual pro feature we've been needing.

I'm glad Apple finally split the lineup with the iPhone Air. Let the Air be the gorgeous, luxury device. The Pro should be a workhorse, and its design should serve its purpose. I'll take sustained performance and durability over a sleek look any day. This is a tool, not jewelry.

 

[Downundermac]

FFS some people are born to whine. Just get over it or buy something else. Apple clear case and a screen protector on my 14PM since day one and it still looks brand new when I take it out for a clean.

 

[CarlJ]

None of this surprises me. Anodized aluminum on sharp edges can and will scratch.

I'm slightly astonished that Apple didn't move to a more radiused edge on the "plateau" when they embiggened it and changed it to aluminum.