‘Scratchgate’: iPhone 17 Pro, Max users furious over aluminium body scratches

Shortly after the launch of the iPhone 17 series, Apple is encountering significant backlash from consumers and tech experts over a troubling issue: the new Pro models are reportedly more vulnerable to scratches than expected. This situation has quickly escalated online, with many users coining the term "Scratchgate" to describe the phenomenon. The focus of the complaints is on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which have adopted an anodized aluminum unibody design. Apple opted for aluminum over the titanium used in previous models to create a lighter device. However, early adopters have begun to notice that the darker finishes, particularly the Deep Blue variant, are showing visible scratches within just hours of use. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman was among the first to bring attention to the issue, tweeting about the apparent scratch-proneness of the Deep Blue model due to its aluminum frame. He noted that similar problems had been reported with darker aluminum iPhones in the past, speculating that this might explain the absence of a black version this year. In-store demonstrations have also revealed the problem, with customers observing that the iPhone 17 Pro and Max backplates were scratched after minimal exposure. One user on X shared, "Barely a day in the Apple showroom, and the iPhone 17 Pro and Max backplates have a bunch of very visible scratches. Is this the beginning of a #Scratchgate?" Many others echoed similar sentiments, highlighting their disappointment. Durability expert JerryRigEverything conducted tests on both models, confirming they passed the bend test but flagged a notable "Scratch Gate" around the camera area, attributed to the anodization process. He remarked that the Deep Blue finish appeared more vulnerable than the new orange variant, though smudges on the rear glass were easily cleaned. Frustrated customers are taking to social media to voice their concerns, with one user expressing dismay after seeing scratches on a demo unit within the first 24 hours. Another noted, "Use a case immediately if you don’t want to experience this kind of issue. I’m very disappointed with the quality here." As the criticism mounts, Apple has yet to address the controversy, leaving consumers to consider protective measures for their new devices.