- Apple has responded to claims that the iPhone 17 Pro is easily scratched
- The company says that the scratches are in fact material of the worn magsafe chargers
- Apple also says that the iPhone camera tray is durable
The iPhone 17 Pro has just launched, but it has already been assisted to claim that it is gratuing itself far too easily. Social media have been flooded with photos of scratched iPhones litter the Apple stores across the country, and the controversy was nicknamed “scratchgate” by some. The problem has attracted so much attention, in fact, that Apple responded to allegations – and it claims that the problem is far from being as serious as you think.
Many images published by the users concerned have shown scratches on the back of iPhone 17 pro models. These often gathered around the Magsafe load ring, but others did not seem to be linked to this element of the phone. But according to Apple, it could be an erroneous case.
Addressing 9TO5MAC, Apple explained that the marks represented on the rear sides of the iPhone 17 Pro units were caused by used Magsafe stands. In Apple’s account, scratches are not actually scratches but are rather materials transferred from damaged Magsafe supports to iPhones. Apple thinks that this material can be deleted by cleaning the affected iPhone and says it works to replace the defective stands in Apple stores.
Apple also responded to another concern concerning the sustainability of the iPhone 17 Pro, this time raised by the first JerryrigeVery, who said that the corners of the raised camera “plateau” on the devices are particularly likely to scratch. Here, Apple has told 9TO5mac that the edges of the plateau are similar to those of other anodized iPhones and MacBook Pros, and that although they are durable and undergo rigorous tests, some users can undergo normal wear (including small abrasions).
Pass the scratch test
Until now, Apple’s new iPhones have impressed their sustainability – Lance Ulanoff de Techradar has tried and has failed to fold an iPhone air in front of Greg Joswiak from Apple and John Ternus – and Jerryrigeverhyme has congratulated the iPhone 17 Pro to have a rear panel very resistant to scraping. This is exactly the field that seems to be affected by the claims of “scratchgate”, so there could be something in the Apple argument that the brands are in fact important of worn Magsafe loaders.
It should also be noted that iPhone demonstration units hosted in Apple stores are managed by hundreds (or even thousands) of people every day, will probably be faster than a device in normal use. Just because something comes off quickly in an Apple store, it doesn’t mean it will do it when you use it.
That said, a Mac Reporter cult tried to remove certain marks on an iPhone 17 pro affected with a microfiber cloth but could not, suggest that imperfections were “definitely scratches, not scratches at the surface or any type of marking that can be removed”.
Certain affected iPhones may indeed have 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 could potentially be scratching more easily. The change has been made to improve heat dissipation in the latest iPhone, but there is a chance that he can make it a little more subject to cuts and scratches.
However, Apple’s claims could help explain the problem and reassure you about the sustainability of the iPhone 17 Pro, as are the own jerryrige riding. If you are not sure to trust the sustainability of the device, do a lot of research and try to go to an Apple store to see for yourself – and preferably an iPhone that is not sitting on a Magsafe charger visibly, just to be sure.
