- Apple has responded to claims that iPhone 17 Pro scratches lightly
- The company says that scratches are actually material from worn -out magsafe chargers
- Apple also says iPhone’s CameraPlateau is durable
The iPhone 17 Pro has only just launched, but already it has been obsessed with claims that it scratches too easily. Social media has been flooded with photos of scratched iPhones throwing apple stores across the country, and the controversy has been called ‘Scratchgate’ by some. The problem has actually received so much attention that Apple has responded to the claims – and it claims that the problem is nowhere near as serious as you would think.
Many of the images sent by the concerned users showed scuffs on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models. These often gathered around the Magsafe charging ring, but others did not seem to be related to this element of the phone. But according to Apple, it could be a case of wrong identity.
In a speech with 9to5Mac, Apple explained that the brands depicted on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro devices were caused by worn Magsafe stands. In Apple’s account, the screws are not actually scratches, but instead transfer material from damaged Magsafe stands on iPhones. Apple believes this material can be removed by cleaning the affected iPhone and says it works to replace the defective racks in Apple stores.
Apple also dealt with another concern about the iPhone 17 Pro’s durability, this time raised by the prominent YouTuber JerryRigeVerything, who said the corners of the raised camera ‘plateau’ on the devices are particularly susceptible to scratches. Here, Apple told 9to5Mac that the edges of the plateau are similar to them on other anodized iPhones and MacBook Pros, and that although they are durable and undergo strict tests, some users may experience normal wear (including small wear).
Consist of the scratch test
Apple’s new iPhones have so far impressed with their durability-Pakinomist’s own Lance Ulanoff tried and failed to bend an iPhone air in front of Apple’s Greg Joswiak and John Ternus and Jerryrigevegything praised the iPhone 17 Pro for having a very scratchy back panel. This is exactly the area that appears to be affected by “Scratchgate” requirements, so there may be something in Apple’s argument that the brands are actually material from worn Magsafe chargers.
It is also worth noting that demo -iphone devices that are in Apple stores are handled by hundreds (or even thousands) by people every day, so it is likely to wear a faster speed than a device would in normal use. Just because something scares quickly in an Apple store doesn’t mean it will when you use it.
That said, a cult of Mac reporter tried to remove some brands on an affected iPhone 17-Pro with a microfiber cloth, but was unable to, which suggested the stains were “definitely scratches, not superficial levels or any kind of markings that can be removed.”
It is possible that some affected iPhones have actually been scratched. The iPhone 17 Pro uses aluminum for its chassis material instead of the titanium used in the iPhone 16 Pro, which is a softer metal that can potentially scratch easier. The change was made to improve heat drainage in the latest iPhone, but there is a chance that it could make it a little more prone to cuts and scratches.
Still, Apple’s claims may go a way of explaining the problem and reassure you about the durability of the iPhone 17 Pro, like JerryRigeVerything’s own test. If you are unsure if you trust the device’s durability, do lots of research and try to go to an Apple store to see for yourself -and preferably check out an iPhone that doesn’t sit on a visible worn Magsafe charger, just to be sure.
