ScratchGate: Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro is gorgeous—but can’t stay scratch-free 📱

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Barely out of the box, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro is already in the middle of a storm. Across social media, users are posting photos of their brand-new devices covered in scratches—sometimes within days of purchase. The hashtag #ScratchGate is trending, and once again Apple finds itself at the center of a viral controversy.

Sleek aluminum… but fragile? 🧃

So what’s going on? This year Apple swapped last generation’s titanium frame for an anodized aluminum chassis. The tradeoff: a lighter, cleaner design with bold new colors—but also softer material. On sharp edges, especially around the camera bump, the protective layer doesn’t hold up. Toss your phone in a pocket with keys or coins, and you might come out with exposed bare metal. Even a Mohs level 4 scratch test (about the hardness of copper) leaves visible marks.

Corners: the Achilles’ heel ⭐️

The real weak spot? Those sharp corners. Teardown experts at iFixit and durability YouTuber JerryRigEverything both confirmed that the anodized layer flakes most easily along the edges of the camera module. Flat surfaces fare better, but the corners lose color almost instantly—like the fragile tips of a cookie that always break first.

Apple responds… but doubts remain 🍏

Apple isn’t ignoring the backlash. The company acknowledged “unusual marks” on some models but insisted many so-called scratches are actually just residue left by worn MagSafe mounts in stores—something a quick cleaning should fix. Independent tests, however, show that edge scratches are real, permanent, and far more common than Apple suggests. That leaves many users unconvinced.

How to protect your iPhone 17 Pro 🛡️

So, what’s the fix? Realistically, ultra-designed phones like the iPhone 17 Pro need protection. Experts recommend a case—leather, silicone, or even glass-backed—to cover those vulnerable edges. Avoid tossing it into pockets with coins or keys. For now, that’s the only way to keep it looking showroom-fresh.

A bigger question for Apple and fans 🔮

ScratchGate highlights a larger tension: premium design doesn’t always equal durability. And with a phone priced north of €1,000, expectations are high. The open question is whether Apple will rethink its material choices for future iPhones—or whether its pursuit of sleek aesthetics is coming at too steep a cost.

💬 What about you?
Have you noticed micro-scratches on your iPhone 17 Pro? Is this a real design flaw or just internet outrage gone wild? Drop your thoughts in the comments—and share your best protection tips.