Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I just came from my local store (macstore) and took a look to all the models.

* Yep Pros get scratches so use a case on day one (it doesn't matter the color). i hold two blues one have scratches and nope saliva doesn't remove them. Two oranges one with scratches and a magnet safe mark, and 1 silver that was mint.

* iPhone 17 base black doesn't appear to have this issue (at least on the back) kind of greyish black also there's something different on the back material. Pros and base doesn't feel the same at least on the back section. I also checked a blue one it was fine.

* and of course the clearer the color the less you are gonna see scratches specially on the air, btw i saw no blacks.

After that i just went to the Samsung Store to see the S25...no scratches on that and a more beautiful display IMO. However is Android (different phones).
 
Last edited:
Can confirm. Went to the store and the brand new display units were not looking new.

I can also confirm this. The blue iPhone 17 Pro seemed to have the most scratches. I observed several people drop the iPhones onto the table when they tried to put them back on the magnetic stand. Some people not familiar with MagSafe (I guess) would lean the iPhone against the stand when they finished playing with it and then the iPhone would fall and hit the table. I felt like an Apple employee sticking iPhones back onto the magnet. I think the scratches are coming from these short drops.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rutherling
Go figure. I learned with the watches, buy silver
Ive switched to buying as close to natural color as possible on all my Apple devices. Had a space grey M2 MBA that wore out where I rested my palms after less than 2 years, switched to silver on my M4. The 16 Pro Max in natural Ti has held up well, ordered the iPhone Air in white as its the closest to natural. If you planing to keep your devices long term silver is the way to go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigandtasty
For those are saying it wipes off or it’s transfer from other things. You are dead wrong. I went to the store to confirm. Even the whites had scratches all over them. I’m not sure wtf Apple did to the back, but it’s hot garbage.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nik and iEB
Go figure. I learned with the watches, buy silver
First time I learnt this: iPhone 5 in black (slate grey I think it was called).

The sharp edges quickly wore down to reveal the silver of the aluminium under. Any scratches did the same.

Black can look great fresh out of the box, but aluminium is too soft to look good for long.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: zenmacx and Rychiar
Ive switched to buying as close to natural color as possible on all my Apple devices. Had a space grey M2 MBA that wore out where I rested my palms after less than 2 years, switched to silver on my M4. The 16 Pro Max in natural Ti has held up well, ordered the iPhone Air in white as its the closest to natural. If you planing to keep your devices long term silver is the way to go.
My white 16pm has no scratches on the back…. I dunno wtf Apple did with this back. But it is awful.
 
The desperation people on the internet have with finding a new "gate" is pathetic. Now, that is not to say these phones do not have an issue. But let's wait to see how they hold up in real world scenarios before declaring a problem, and what type of problem. And there is no need for such gusto and glee that you found an issue. I am one of the few that goes case-less, so this is a big issue for me if true. But let's hold off on the doom and gloom and "switching to samsung" lol. I would rather have a used iPhone 8 than a brand new android phone.
 
Except on both phones shown, it's the "ceramic shield" covering the MagSafe coil that is scratched, NOT the aluminum frame.
Looks like whatever they have coated it with flakes like a mother humper. I don't care since mine go immediately into a case anyway, but this isn't a great look for Apple's wear and tear testing standards.
The blue one shows a nick on the aluminum side and possibly a couple on the camera bar.

Screenshot 2025-09-19 at 5.49.59 PM.png
 
While I was playing with a Cloud Air this morning, I checked out the blue 17 Pro next to it. The color is really close to my 15 Pro's blue titanium. Judging from initial reports and my 15 Pro's nearly flawless finish (one nick from a drop, no scratches), there's going to be a healthy case market for the 17 Pro/Max.
 
Yep, this is one of the reasons I was weary of moving from the gorgeous 14 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max. And by making the Pro bodies out of not just aluminum, but stamped aluminum makes them look like the cheapest looking iPhones in the longest time. Going from CNC milling the aluminum bodies to just stamping them saves Apple a ton of money. I would even guess the margins on the Pro models are the highest for ANY first run iPhone Pro model ever released.

I will bet that the new budget $600 MacBook bodies will utilize this same cost cutting method. Stamped aluminum or plastic.
 
Last edited:
The desperation people on the internet have with finding a new "gate" is pathetic. Now, that is not to say these phones do not have an issue. But let's wait to see how they hold up in real world scenarios before declaring a problem, and what type of problem. And there is no need for such gusto and glee that you found an issue. I am one of the few that goes case-less, so this is a big issue for me if true. But let's hold off on the doom and gloom and "switching to samsung" lol. I would rather have a used iPhone 8 than a brand new android phone.
It’s like this every year :)
I think it’s funny.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rp2011
The desperation people on the internet have with finding a new "gate" is pathetic. Now, that is not to say these phones do not have an issue. But let's wait to see how they hold up in real world scenarios before declaring a problem, and what type of problem. And there is no need for such gusto and glee that you found an issue. I am one of the few that goes case-less, so this is a big issue for me if true. But let's hold off on the doom and gloom and "switching to samsung" lol. I would rather have a used iPhone 8 than a brand new android phone.
Yeah, I can’t imagine a scenario where I’d go running to Google’s “suck up all the PII” OS.

However, having experienced Apple’s aluminum phones before with all the durability of a soda can, I’m definitely not pleased with their design decisions on the “pro” phone. I actually trust Ceramic Shield 1 on the back glass and 2 on the front. But I absolutely expect dents, dings, dust abrasions from a case, and screen delaminating from the body as has been personally experienced on Apple’s aluminum phones in previous generations of aluminum phones compared to Steel and Titanium.

Sure, physics. Aluminum offers better heat dissipation. Also physics: less durability. It’s just the way it is. Scream “but muh aerospace grade alloy” all you like, Apple’s aluminum phones aren’t as damage-hardened as their Steel and Titanium phones.
 
Didn’t the promo video show rocks and dirt hitting a pro model being used for movie production? I doubt it has any paint remaining!

Clearly Tim wasn’t targeting us - he just wants Hollywood to buy them all!
 
  • Love
Reactions: bigandtasty
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.