Think about this, you save your hard-earned $1,200 to get the latest iPhone 17 Pro, and use it without a case until your order arrives. And just after a day of use, you start seeing scratches on your expensive device. That is what’s been worrying many users online, sharing posts and videos of scuffed iPhone 17 Pro units from the back, and the netizens have dubbed it “Scratchgate.”
It has almost become a tradition that a new iPhone launch is marred by some type of “gate” — some sort of controversy. Whether antennagate, bendgate, batterygate, or throttlegate, there’s always some controversy to Apple’s smartphones. This year, it’s “Scratchgate,” which is sparked by viral posts about heavily scuffed iPhone 17 Pro display units circulating on the internet.
Apple’s Latest Flagship Can’t Survive a Day Without Scratches
Less than a day after launch, iPhone 17 Pro models in the new Deep Blue color and black iPhone Air displayed at Apple Stores started showing visible scratches, particularly around the glass cutout, camera rings, and the camera island, concerning everyone interested in buying the phone.
One Reddit user shared that the iPhone 17 Pro in their local Apple Store had visible marks left by the MagSafe stands used to display the device.
A quick search for “Scratchgate” on X shows hundreds of posts from people sharing scuffed-up photos of Apple’s latest flagship, warning potential buyers, while others mock Apple for its poor-quality design.
Bloomberg reported on the issue, and many YouTube and TikTok creators visited their nearest Apple Stores to confirm the problem is indeed real. Even Tom’s Guide shared the same with the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro after a week of usage. French publication Consomac also found signs of damage when they visited their nearest Apple Store.
Debunking Scratchgate and Why It’s Happening
Amid the ongoing concerns, popular YouTuber JerryRigEverything put the rumors to the test. He did his typical scratch test (visit), showing that the iPhone 17 Pro is indeed more prone to scratches, even with everyday items like coins and keys.
Soon after, iFixit’s video (visit) came out with similar findings. iFixit explained that the edges begin to show scratches at Mohs level 4 hardness. They found the reason behind this issue is the iPhone’s design and its anodized coating on top of it. This year’s iPhone 17 Pro and the Pro Max have an all-aluminum frame, which includes the raised camera plateau.
The anodized layer on aluminum is more brittle on the edges of the camera plateau, making it susceptible to damage. iFixit talked to David Niebuhr, an engineer and professor of mechanical engineering, who mentioned that this problem with brittle anodization is called spalling.
What is Apple’s Response to the Scratchgate Fiasco?
With the story going viral, 9to5Mac reached out to Apple for a response. And in a typical Apple fashion, the Cupertino giant just denied the Scratchgate concerns. The company blamed the worn-out MagSafe display stands, claiming that the damage is caused through material transfer, and it can be easily wiped away with cleaning.
Still, in order to prevent this from happening, it seems Apple has started using silicon pads to MagSafe stands. A user who visited the Apple Store in Ginza, Tokyo, spotted the padding around the display stands and shared the images in an X post.
Ok, that solves one issue, but what about real-world Scratchgate cases? Well, Apple acknowledged those, too, but brushed it off by saying that there could be minor abrasions from normal wear and tear. In short, the company wants you to stop worrying about the scratches and move on with your day.
Should You Worry About Scratchgate?
For anyone who uses their iPhone without a case, then yes, Scratchgate is a problem for you. But if you slap a case from day one, you’ll probably never have to worry about it. But it’s not about protection, it’s the expectation of long-term durability. For a phone that costs $1,200, should you really treat your phone like fine china?
At the end of the day, Scratchgate won’t sink the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has already sold millions of units worldwide, but it’s just a reminder that Apple’s premium and sleek design doesn’t always hold up in real life. The phone is gorgeous out of the box, but it might not stay that way once it meets your keys, coins, and daily grind.
