Other iPhone 17 Pro Scratchgate

[Kjabean]

I’m not a fancy engineer but I will just put this here for Apple to take.. dlc.. design your phone around this first then design heat dissipation and that, not the other way around.. if you want people that actually know what they are doing in the real world hit me up… lol

 

[NT1440]

I agree, it is a forum for discussion. So let's hear some and not "I've been here forever and I used to care about these things but they're now irrelevant because I'm older and busier and no longer do." Wouldn't exactly call that discussion. Not really worth pointing out that you don't personally think a cosmetic flaw in the design of a $1,000+ electronic devise is not worth YOUR time.

BTW, and not that it matters at all, but I've been here since 2008 as well 🤣

Sure. Have a good day.

Does anyone have any suggestions or have been personally affected by this yet? Seems like most of this “gate” is a tempest in a teapot, like most have been in recent years.

 

[t.n.d.]

So is the "palteau" scratchable after all? Why do most of the cases have an empty space at the camera bump sections?

 

[bsmr]

Why do most of the cases have an empty space at the camera bump sections?

Looks ugly!

The plateau itself looks to be quite scratch resistant instead of the corners... But overall it's aluminium - you can't expect miracles.

 

[Xenomorph]

There are so many things going on, all under the term "scratchgate". iPhone 17 Pro scratchgate, to be specific.

People keep sharing pictures of the iPhone 17 Pro with scuffs on its back glass as proof that the new aluminum design is the problem. If the iPhone 17 Pro was titanium or stainless steel, it would still have the same glass on its back. All the noise over the scuffs with Apple Store units have nothing to do with aluminum. And why is the iPhone 17 Pro singled out with these pictures taken at Apple Stores if the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air have the same back glass and are susceptible to the same scuffs? Basically, this is not an iPhone 17 Pro specific issue. But it's still called "iPhone 17 Pro scratchgate".

Pictures of various iPhone 17 Pro models with dents on their corners are shared, with comments like "this never happened with older phones!" - despite the fact that EVERY YEAR there are always people showing pictures of their new iPhone with a dented corner. Be it an iPhone 16 Pro with a smashed corner, or an iPhone 15 Pro with a smashed corner, or an iPhone 14 Pro with a smashed corner. A quick Google search showed me similar iPhone damage photos in 2024, 2023, 2022, etc. These phones are heavy, dense metal chunks that WILL get damaged when dropped. That is why cases are so popular in the first place. Phone didn't start getting damaged in 2025. Again, this is not an iPhone 17 Pro specific issue, and yet dents are also lumped in with "iPhone 17 Pro scratchgate".

The only potential actual flaw related to scratching may be with the sharp edge of the plateau on the iPhone 17 Pro. If it is struck, damage will be visible... It is minor, and can be completely prevented with the most basic of phone cases.

Apple has been making stuff out of aluminum for over 20 years, including something like 28 different iPhone models. Suddenly people think it's the worst material ever.

 

[bsmr]

... It is minor, and can be completely prevented with the most basic of phone cases.

I think the other flaw is that it will dent (even with cases) quite easily because of the weight combined with the softer material for the outer shell they're using...

 

[ShadowGuardian87]

Returned my 17PM, barely any difference to my 16PM, and tbh it felt cheap comparing to titanium and even stainless steel.

Not trying to be rude by why did you even upgrade from a 16 PM in the first place? Its been said time and time again that you won't see vast improves or mind blowing upgrades by getting a new phone yearly. Yearly upgraders ignore the many warnings and go out and get the latest phone and then complain that it's not different enough from their year old model. Even though all the information is there before they even purchase. It just boggles my mind.......

 

[Danorak81]

Needs to be locked so that people don't voice their displeasure at what are legit issues effecting a relatively expensive electronic device? Yeah, why help folks out by providing food for thought before they throw their hard earned money at Apple. Because YOU chose to purchase a vehicle (MUCH more expensive) that YOU knew was flawed? Sound logic.

Oh get off your high horse for goodness sake 😂 Did you not see the laugh at the end of the comment? The comment was in jest.

Cars go wrong-it’s a gamble buying used. I had an Audi that also had a known (but not known to me at the time) fault. Internet was awash with people whose cars had gone wrong after someone (kindly) pointed out an issue to be aware of. Mine didn’t. Same engine, same model. Nothing floored about that logic at all-any car you buy will have horror stories if you do your research-and if you constantly live by other people’s bad or negative experiences all the time, you’d never end up buying or doing anything. And that’s kinda’ my point at the end of the post: let people buy what they want-some will find out the hard way, some will breeze by without a problem. There just seems to be so much hostility over it, it seems ridiculous. Everyone’s points are valid:L, positive and negative. If you don’t like the phones, or aren’t sure, then no one is making anyone throw their hard earned money at Apple. 🙄

 

[Thor_9]

Let these people buy their Air's

I find it funny that the people who purchases the Air need to try to justify their purchases.

 

[Jeweller]

delete

 

[Jeweller]

Oh get off your high horse for goodness sake 😂 Did you not see the laugh at the end of the comment? The comment was in jest.

Cars go wrong-it’s a gamble buying used. I had an Audi that also had a known (but not known to me at the time) fault. Internet was awash with people whose cars had gone wrong after someone (kindly) pointed out an issue to be aware of. Mine didn’t. Same engine, same model. Nothing floored about that logic at all-any car you buy will have horror stories if you do your research-and if you constantly live by other people’s bad or negative experiences all the time, you’d never end up buying or doing anything. And that’s kinda’ my point at the end of the post: let people buy what they want-some will find out the hard way, some will breeze by without a problem. There just seems to be so much hostility over it, it seems ridiculous. Everyone’s points are valid:L, positive and negative. If you don’t like the phones, or aren’t sure, then no one is making anyone throw their hard earned money at Apple. 🙄

Don't care about car stories at MacRumors but...

Not being hostile sir, and my horse is pony level. Really don't think it was in jest but we're all free to interpret things the way we do. Anyhoo, seemed like a bizarre and not remotely comparable comparison that not only negated the overarching point but implied, "Eh, F it, just go for it." Not a great message for those who are genuinely trying to educate themselves on the new phones. If you, or someone you know, would like to purchase any of the new iPhone 17 models, and you have all the facts regarding their relative durability and that's actually unimportant to you, then please enjoy your new devise! And if you do care about the facts and choose to buy anyway, please enjoy your new devise! Certainly don't let me and my not-so-high horse get your way.

 

[Jeweller]

Delete