iPhone 17 Pro's Design Flaw: A Closer Look
Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 17 pro, showcasing its new aluminum unibody design. This shift from a titanium frame to a glass back has drawn attention, but not all feedback is positive.Two of the colour options are facing meaningful issues with scratches and paint chipping, revealing the shiny metal beneath.
What’s Going On?
A French website called Consomac has shared several images that highlight scratched demo units of the iPhone 17 Pro found in stores. The damage is noticeable on both the glass and aluminum sections of the phone's rear, especially on the Deep Blue variant.
The Cosmic Orange model isn't escaping this problem either; it too shows visible wear marks. social media users have started referring to this issue as “scratchgate” or “scuffgate.” Even other models like the iPhone Air in black are reportedly suffering from similar problems.
According to Bloomberg News, “the deep blue variants of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max exhibited scuffs after just a few hours of being on display,” based on observations made at Apple stores across major cities like New York, Hong Kong, shanghai, and London.
A Familiar Pattern for Apple
This isn’t Apple's first encounter with such complaints. More than ten years ago, users reported that their iPhone 5s were easily scratched due to its anodized aluminum casing.Back then, Phil Schiller—Apple’s marketing chief—stated that “Any aluminum product may scratch or chip with use,” suggesting it was an expected outcome.
One user expressed frustration over Twitter: “@Apple sorry but #Scratchgate is real and very disappointing – a case will help but I reckon even a few minutes without one in my pocket with keys will damage it – truly shame on you! My iPhone 13 Pro Max has been without a case and there are NO scratches at all…”
Quality Control Concerns
The recent incidents have raised questions about Apple's quality control measures. Following earlier complaints about scratching issues with previous models like the iPhone 5,Apple had tightened its quality checks despite slowing down production rates as reported by Bloomberg at that time.
A user tweeted their disappointment after just one day: “Demo unit iPhone 17 Pro scratches on day one… (it’s not even been 24 hours yet). Use a case immediately if you don’t want to experience this kind of issue.”
Not Just Phones: A Broader Issue?
The scratching problem seems to extend beyond just phones; other Apple products made from aluminum also appear vulnerable. For instance, many users have noted how easily MacBook Air shells can get scratched—a trend observed across both M3 and M4 generations. An executive from an Apple Store acknowledged last year that they were aware of these ongoing complaints regarding various products’ durability.
Final Thoughts
This situation raises critically important questions about material choices in tech design today. While aesthetics matter greatly for devices like smartphones and laptops alike, consumers expect durability alongside style when investing in high-end gadgets like those offered by Apple.
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