The iPhone 17 Pro has hit stores, but customers are reporting a surprising issue: it scratches more easily that anticipated.

Despite Apple’s assurances of enhanced durability, repair experts indicate that the design not the aluminum material is at fault.

The term “ScratchGate” gained traction shortly after the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max launched, with initial reports of unusual scratches originating from customers in China.

Many have shared images on social media showing cosmetic damage, particularly around the camera bump and on the device’s sharp corners.

YouTuber Zack Nelson, known for his channel JerryRigEverything, confirmed the scratching issue, attributing it to Apple’s choice of sharp edges rather than rounded corners. This design leaves the paint susceptible to chipping when the phone comes into contact with items like keys or coins.

iFixit confirms design flaw

Repair company iFixit conducted its own analysis and reached the same conclusion: the issue lies within Apple’s design. Collaborating with a mechanical engineering expert from California Polytechnic State University, iFixit tested the phone’s durability.

Using a Mohs hardness kit to simulate everyday scratches, they found that while the flat surfaces showed only minor damage, the edges of the camera plateau experienced “spalling”, where material chips away under pressure.

Aluminum not to blame

Experts assert that Apple’s use of anodized, but the problem stems from the design’s geometry. He noted that even a thicker oxide layer wouldn’t have prevented spalling and could have worsened it. A smoother, more gradual curve around the camera bump would have likely mitigated the problem.

Repair challenges

While the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are generally repair-friendly, scratches around the camera plateau present a significant challenge.

Since the camera bump is integrated into the unibody chassis, replacement is not feasible.

Users are left with limited options, mainly relying on protective cases or skins to safeguard their devices.