Early iPhone 17 Pro Units Show Visible Scratches in Testing
New iPhone 17 Pro models are demonstrating a susceptibility to visible scratches during durability testing, according to reports surfacing this week. While cosmetic, the markings are more readily apparent than on previous iPhone generations, raising questions about Apple’s material choices for the upcoming release.
The issue stems from a return to aluminum construction for the iPhone 17 Pro, replacing the titanium chassis used in the iPhone 16 Pro. Testing by YouTuber JerryRigEverything revealed that the colored aluminum oxide layer on the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera housing is prone to scuffing, particularly on sharp corners. Scratches were also observed on the phone’s back and camera plateau, though these proved easily wiped off. Reports on social media, including posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, corroborate these findings, with some users noting residual marks from MagSafe chargers and chipped edges on camera housings. Despite the visibility of the scratches, Apple maintains that these markings will not impact the functionality of the devices, and many users routinely employ protective cases that would likely prevent such damage.
