In just a few days since its launch, the iPhone 17 have been involved in the so-called 'scratchgate': a wave of reports and videos showing marks on the rear and the camera module. The topic has spread like wildfire on social media and can now be seen even in Apple Store display units in cities such as New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai or London.
The conversation focuses mainly on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max and in certain colors. While some users talk about real scratches, others point to MagSafe system brands or residue that is removed by rubbing. With that context, we review what's happening, why it happens, and how to minimize it without drama.
What exactly is iPhone 17 'scratchgate'?
The term has been coined by the community to refer to the ease with which some iPhone 17s show marks after little use, especially without a case. There are two fronts: rear glass area and, with greater incidence, the corners of the camera module, where the colored coating of the aluminum can come off at the first touch.
Several buyers report that the phone, when carried in the pocket, accumulates microabrasions from coins or keys. Others point to a circle on the back associated with the MagSafe charger. In many store units, these marks turn out to be material transferred by the clamping bases that are removed by passing the finger, something that is helping to separate real scratch residue.
The phenomenon does not affect the entire range equally. Although there are mentions of iPhone Air (which maintains titanium), the controversy hits harder the Pro in dark tones, where the contrast makes the peeling of the coating more visible.
Prices raise expectationsThe 17 Pro starts at €1.319, the 17 Pro Max at €1.469, and the Air at €1.219. Hence, seeing the price tags within a few days has stirred up enthusiasm and multiplied comparisons with previous models.
Models, colors and details in the spotlight
Initial observations agree that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max dark blue concentrate a large part of the cases. According to Bloomberg and reports in stores, the dark tones of anodized aluminum They quickly reveal the silver of the metal when the surface layer is damaged at the edges.
In parallel, some users have shown the iPhone Air in black with marks on the back. It is worth clarifying here: much of what is seen on display has to do with MagSafe base footprints and not with deep scratches. Still, the corners of the camera block They are a common weak point when the edge is sharp.
Colors like the blue or orange make any chips more evident, while clear finishes hide cosmetic wear better. There is no evidence that this affects performance, but hits the perception of quality in a premium priced product.
Journalist Mark Gurman It recalls previous cases with dark aluminum iPhones (such as the iPhone 14) and suggests that this susceptibility could explain the absence of a pure black color in this generation.
Independent testing and what users say
In the channel resistance tests of JerryRigEverything (Zack Nelson), the iPhone 17 Pro demonstrates a great structural rigidity and the flat surface of the module holds well against coins or keys, but the corners chip easily by removing the anodized layer and exposing the aluminum.
Several creators and buyers, such as Federico Ini, have shown units with visible marks after a few days of use without a case. In X, the user Amar Singh negatively compared the aesthetic resistance of its iPhone 17 against a iPhone 13 Pro Max which he carried without a case for years with no apparent scratches.
La rear glass area offers a more nuanced picture: sometimes what looks like a scratch is actually dust or transferred material that comes out when you pass your finger, but there are also cases with real scratches and with a MagSafe circular mark that some users have reported.
Despite the controversy, bending and impact tests suggest that we are looking at one of the iPhones with stronger structureThe problem, therefore, is eminently cosmetic,, highly dependent on design and surface finishes.
Probable causes: design, materials and anodizing process
Apple has gone from titanium to unibody aluminum in the Pro to reduce weight and improve thermal management. This material is colored by anodized, a hard but superficial layer that can does not adhere well to very sharp edgesWithout sufficient chamfering or radius, the coating is exposed to chipping.
This behavior is documented in the sector: when the edge is sharp, the anodized layer becomes thinner and jumps with everyday friction. It is not new in the industry nor exclusive to Apple, and it is reminiscent of episodes such as the iPhone 5 or camera modules from other manufacturers that also lost paint on the edges.
Dark colors amplify the contrast: when the coating is skipped, the silver aluminum and the defect is more noticeable. In light tones such as Silver the effect is less visible, which does not mean that it does not exist, but that it is better concealed.
To date, Apple has not commented officially. Meanwhile, on social media, 'scratchgate' is being compared to other historical gates (bendgate, antennagate) for its media echo, although here we are talking about an aesthetic rather than a functional issue.
How to reduce risk? Practical tips
If you want to minimize marks, the most direct option is a cover that covers the contour of the module well camera lenses. This way you protect the edges where the anodizing process is most affected. It also helps to avoid carrying your phone with you. keys or coins in the same pocket.
In exhibition and at home, it is advisable to check if what you see is MagSafe residue Before assuming it's a scratch: Gently clean the area to distinguish material transfers of real damage. And, if you're worried about aesthetics, choose light tones, where wear and tear is less noticeable.
For the undecided, it may be worth waiting for possible production adjustments or an official response. Meanwhile, those who already have it are finding a balance between protection and aesthetics with thin covers and frames that protect the angle of the module.
- Usa case with raised edge around the cameras.
- Isolate the mobile from abrasive objects in pockets or backpacks.
- Check if a brand is residue before scratching it.
- Rate Light colors if you care about appearance over time.
Today, 'scratchgate' is emerging as a localized aesthetic problem (edges and certain colors) rather than a structural failure. Independent testing points to a robust design, but with vulnerability in the coating of sharp areas; a controversy that has generated a lot of resonance because it affects a high-priced and highly visible product, and which, with a few precautions, can be mitigated on a daily basis.
