I am wondering if you have one and keeping it or planning to buy one still.
If you have one, what case do you use and is it still scratching, especially near the camera bump edges.
iPhone Scratchgate: Who Is Still Buying/Keeping It?
Frankensnore on 24/09/2025 - 09:43
Last edited 24/09/2025 - 10:03
Last edited 24/09/2025 - 10:03
Comments
The funny thing is their ad shows absolutely tough phone.
I think it is a village in Wales.
The iPhone 17 Pro models are made from aluminum this year, and Apple uses an anodization process to add color. The process provides a strong, scratch resistant finish that is similar to sapphire in terms of hardness. It's not easily scratched, and JerryRigEverything demonstrated that most of the iPhone 17 Pro's shell is going to hold up well against minor scratches, including the area where the Ceramic Shield 2 cutout is located for MagSafe charging.
Most is the key word when it comes to testing, because there is a vulnerable area. The camera plateau has a sharp, raised edge that is not chamfered, and it is a weak spot where the anodized layer is not well-adhered. The aluminum coating in the camera area does scratch easily.
Total nothingburger https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/23/iphone-17-pro-scratch-t…
Total nothingburger
I think for $2,000 at a minimuim, you'd expect your phone to hold up to everyday scuff and scratches? Vidoes showing even keys are scratching the body easier.
phone case
@ThithLord: Why should I be foreced to use a phone case on a $2,000 item? I can freely use my iPhone 13 Pro without a case and not have to warry about minor dings for general usage.
@ThithLord: Sorry I should have been more clearer in what I was saying…
If I want an iPhone free of scratches, it looks like you will need to have to use a case. For a $2,000 phone, you should not need a case. Other manufacturers have figured this out. Therefore, back to your original point, it's not really a nothingburger and I can understand why people would be upset.
@ricadam: "Spending $10 to protect my $2000 device from superficial scratch marks is beyond the pale" righto, cobber
Vidoes showing even keys are scratching the body easier.
Why would you keep your phone and your keys in the same pocket?
You have never grabbed your keys and your phone in the same hand?
No, the phone is too big…
I always put it in my inside jacket pocket… Keys always go in outside pockets…
Anodising doesn't really "adhere" it is just making the aluminum oxide, that naturally occurs on the surface, thicker.
It's most likely that it's a sharp edge that constantly gets touched, so has more force over a smaller area, wearing through the oxide layer sooner.
use a case non issue
But then I can’t show people I’m using an Orange phone
Get a clear case that ends up having discoloration issues (goes yellowish)
If I had the orange I’d totally get the green tech woven case for the master chief look. (I got the deep blue instead and went clear case)
pro or pro max?
@Stealtho: I got pro but only because I hesitated on preordering a max and the lead time ended up being weeks out
I have the orange 17 Pro and got a clear case.
Reason you don't pre-order (also pay higher prices) and let all the suckers figure out the issues.
Am looking at standard iphone 17 256gb (given the price no point buying prior versions even if excellent refurbs) but won't buy it until at least after Christmas when all the heat has come out of the market and issues have surfaced.
when all the heat has come out
are there heat issues too? 😲
Yes, Titanium will retain more heat than aluminium.
Might end up burning 2 holes in your pants. Once with the money and the other with the heat.
Might end up burning 2 holes in your pants.
Altruistic contraceptive for people in that cult.
Reason you don't pre-order (also pay higher prices) and let all the suckers figure out the issues.
No software update will fix issues with the manufacturing process.
If you buy it new you'd most likely not be able to fine reasonably prices cases / screen protectors without many review to tell you whether they actually work!
Why bother coating your metal phones durably when you have queues out the door for each model and still make 30% markup on each unit :P
Zero $$ incentive for Apple to do anything about it ;)
Don't give them ideas. They might sell you tinting, ceramic paint coating and a dash cam prior to pick up!
Apple - get your extra ceramic paint coat to reduce* scratching for only $999!
*no research has been done, but we suspect this might reduce scratching to your device - but is use case dependent - so we recommend still using a case!
I do love how so many people are concerned about scratches on the back of a phone they will never see because it spends 99.99% of the time in a case.
Don’t get me wrong, its annoying they scratch easy in a case. But ultimately it doesn’t really matter, it doesn’t affect resale that much.
+1 use a case
Too slippery without a case imo
I love using my phone with a case, but I only do it sometimes when I'm at home as a treat.
Titanium was probably a better material, but the switch to aluminium was possibly geopolitical
I use a case either way. If I was baller I'd go caseless though
Australia could be one too, if we actually had a way to process it
I love the orange but it’s going to be silver in no time with how I use my phone.
I’ll Just buy the iPhone 16 pro max now.
But my 15 pro max is still fine.
Lol. People just want something to whinge about. 95+% of buyers are going to buy a case.
Apple also said it was scratch "resistant" not scratch "proof". They could literally make it out of tungsten carbide and some clown would still make a video of their diamond ring scratching it.
Such a storm in a teacup.
As someone who deals with pre-anodised aluminium parts and then the post finished products, I can assure you, a raw aluminium phone would be covered in marks from just putting it in your pocket, sans-keys.
Not everyone wants to use a case (or does 100% of the time). The issue here is how easily it can be scratched, especially compared to previous models. Yes it's not scratch proof, but when you change to a much softer material and the overall build quality drops with the change. People are justified in their frustrations.
Who gives a shit if the phone gets scratched, it will still work just fine.
It’s a tool, not a Van Gogh painting.
What is Scracthgate ???