Apple has responded to growing concern over the iPhone 17 Pro “scratchgate,” noting that the marks seen on some devices are not scratches, but rather material transferred from worn display stands (via 9to5Mac).
According to statements given to media outlets, Apple maintains that several iPhone 17 Pro units on display in Apple Stores and partner retail sites have developed marks due to the MagSafe stands used for exhibiting phones.
These stands, the company says, are showing signs of wear. When users rest a device on them, superficial material may transfer onto the phone’s aluminum back, Apple contends. That material can reportedly be cleaned off, meaning the markings are not permanent scratches.
Apple also concedes that some wear and small abrasions may occur over time and notes that customers may notice these with everyday use. However, it defends the durability regime applied during development, saying the edges around the camera bump follow characteristics similar to anodized aluminum constructions found in Apple’s accessories and MacBooks.
In parallel, durability tests have shown that the sharp edges of the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera plateau are particularly vulnerable to damage when directly rubbed by objects like keys or coins. The tests show that the flat surfaces and most of the body generally resist scratches well, but that the transition points, especially sharp corners, are weak spots in the anodization layer.
Teardown specialists over at iFixit have dug deeper, showing under digital microscopy that damage in those sensitive zones may be due to a phenomenon known as “spalling,” where tiny fragments break away under stress. That issue arises more readily at sharp edges due to uneven adhesion of the anodized coating.
Despite visible complaints, many Wall Street analysts believe that this durability chatter is unlikely to dent the strong momentum of iPhone 17 sales. They argue that early criticism is typical for high-profile launches and that most users protect their devices with cases anyway.
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It drives me nuts how my 15 Pro Max has 3 scratches on the front glass that all appeared within the first couples weeks of owning the phone, yet nothing has appeared since. Nothing has changed, put the phone in the same pocket, same clothes, no keys or anything else in the pocket, it's so annoying to spend thousands of dollars on a phone just to get scratches within the first few weeks and then nothing for the two years after. Yet my ancient iPhone 7 has no scratches at all.
I would imagine 17 Pro Max would have a much better glass than 15, because I can't be the only one who experienced that.