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

[Dr Nobody Important]

You use "people" and "everyone", categories that just means "not me", as if you were talking about a single entity, making it seem hypocritical. That happens very often on the internet.
Maybe, you know, there are different people who think and do different things.

And there are many people that are just completely stupid. Just saying.

 

[bsmr]

Not just the 17 Pro it would seem. Look at the scratches on this new Air in the Apple store from just being attached to the charger!! View attachment 2557707

Interesting to see how this phone looks like in 2-4 weeks 🤣

 

[RPhoto]

There are variables, but what of it? We are not trying to be totally accurate about every device. Instead, we can form general conclusions about the materials and design of our phones and we can indeed compare a device that is a couple of years old to a device that isn't even a week old. Just because environments and use-cases are different doesn't mean you can't see general patterns, and these are ultimately correct.



So what is the point of the existence of online forums?

The point is, generally, any item that is to be used daily cannot be then held to trial with total shock and horror when it gets marked or damaged. There are those that say a device was barely breathed on and it scratched and others who say they are a heavy user and the device is flawless. Generally, the negative stories always triumph because people like doom and gloom and like to feed into sensationalist YouTuber click bait. Generally, negativity pulls more response and over reaction than positivity.

As to what’s the point of forums, often it’s to feed the above. Same for any brand or hobby. Negativity often outweighs positivity when something new comes out. Discussion is always healthy, but healthy discussion is often lacking.

 

[IIGS User]

My 16PM is a year old and doesn’t have a scratch on it

 

[canadianpj]

My goodness! Do you mean if I try to scratch my phone on purpose it’ll scratch? What is Apple thinking? Mines been in my pocket with no case and weirdly it’s fine.

 

[digimc]

The two biggest mistakes of my life came when I didn't use a condom and when I didn't use a case. Live and learn I guess.

 

[neotint]

You buy a new iphone, and a drop-proof case at the same time. Unboxing the iphone you put the case on it. Other than cleaning it a few times, or having different cases for different uses (e.g. QuadLock for bike/moto) you never need to remove the case. When you want to upgrade your phone you remove your "like new" phone and get the maximum trade in value. Who actually uses the always slippery smooth iphone without a case, what percent of people do this nonsense?

 

[Rychiar]

This is why ya buy the silver model... I had a dark 13 pro max years ago and it was in a case at all times and when I went to sell it it hd gotten all scratched on the back from dust and debris that got into the case from being in pockets all the time. ridiculous

 

[stealthytolkien]

People are complaining about a $1100 phone getting scratches that stays in a handbag / pocket and mostly indoors (instead of just putting a top tier case and screen guard on) and yet, their 25x or more expensive cars are parked just fine all day under hot sun, rain, snow, storms, while getting dinged in their doors from both sides in Walmart parking lots.

 

[NetMage]

They should have done black only in type III hard coat anodizing. THAT wouldn't be scratching like this particular type of anodizing.

I’ve carried many flashlights with my keys daily over the years and all had type III anodizing. They also had aggressive knurling for grip and inevitably the anodizing wears off at the corners and occasionally on the curved flatter surfaces. Type III doesn’t matter when you have a sharp enough edge.

 

[Apleeseed84]

The thing is built to record ProRes Raw video. The fact that it looks as pretty as it does while not cooking itself to death is a miracle 😂

I learned the hard way this weekend that i needed external storage.

 

[adnbek]

The thumbnail he used for this video and the iPhone Air one (picture attached) were both so clickbaity it's not funny. Both imply something different than what the video actually revealed. But that's just the way it is with Youtube sadly and it works... Yes I clicked too.

 

[sifpilsen]

(...) I had a dark 13 pro max years ago and it was in a case at all times and when I went to sell it it hd gotten all scratched on the back from dust and debris that got into the case from being in pockets all the time (...)

This is why the phone, regardless of case or not, needs to be taken out of the case and cleaned on regular intervals. Otterbox or UAG have excellent drop protection, but needs a dusting every month or so. A clear case will show you this clearly, dust gathers.

 

[East India Company]

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

Folks should understand and set their expectations accordingly. If you think this will be a problem for you, put a case on it, a clear one so you can enjoy the color too. Otherwise go caseless and don’t concern yourself with any scratches.

The correct answer is, if it’s a problem for you: - complain to Apple that their most expensive phone is not durable. - don’t buy it.

Don’t reward Apple for a bad design, even more by buying more from them (a case).

 

[Jovijoker]

As I said above, we all just need to use and enjoy. Bigger things to worry about in life than any consumer based product not looking showroom new after ownership.

You're right about this part. But You have to have a little dignity. The iPhone 17 Pro Max Silver will be returned.

 

[RPhoto]

@Jovijoker this is the way. Do what makes you happy 🙌

 

[2128506]

and yet, their 25x or more expensive cars are parked just fine all day under hot sun, rain, snow, storms

My more than 25x expensive car was parked under hot sun, rain, snow, storm for years.

It was perfectly fine, no scratches.

Having phone in your pocket is its normal mode or operation, it should not scratch easily.

P.S. Apple is going Cybertruck way - it will look like crap after a day of just being parked outside.

 

[stealthytolkien]

My more than 25x expensive car was parked under hot sun, rain, snow, storm for years.

It was perfectly fine, no scratches.

Having phone in your pocket is its normal mode or operation, it should not scratch easily.

P.S. Apple is going Cybertruck way - it will look like crap after a day of just being parked outside.

It was a tongue in cheek comment. But I totally understand your point of view.

That said, there are a couple of things going on here. First, cars generally have a much denser multi layer coat of paint. Also, it doesn’t come into direct contact with coins like objects like your case less phone in the pocket. And just because you don’t easily see scratches, does not mean your car does not have scratches. Micro swirls and scratches are very common and can appear as early as one time of driving through a car wash with bristles. Dust particles, rock chips, etc. can cause dents and scratches just as easily on the car’s surface. Not all can be seen by the naked eye. We just don’t complain much because we don’t see micro scratches easily and it is hard to avoid that for a moving object. And wrapping the car is not cheap.

For the phone, however, the solution is simply to get a rugged case. And put a glass guard on the screen. It’s not the first aluminum phone. I totally get that it shouldn’t scratch easily. And I can tell you that it doesn’t scratch easily. Even that raised camera surface doesn’t scratch that easily. But it is far from scratch proof. If you try to scratch it, it will. If you put a case on it and clean it every now and then, it’ll look great for years.