Apple’s latest flagship devices, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air, have quickly become the subject of durability debates. Reports claiming the devices “scratch too easily” sparked concern among users.
Apple has now addressed these claims, clarifying that the marks seen on display units are not actual scratches but residue transferred from worn MagSafe stands. According to the company, these marks can be cleaned, and the issue will likely be resolved by replacing aging stands. Notably, Apple confirmed that even iPhone 16 display models were affected by this same issue.
However, durability tests by well-known YouTuber JerryRigEverything revealed another vulnerability: the sharp edges around the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera housing appear to be prone to scratches. Apple responded by stating that the camera frame edges share the same anodized aluminum finish found on other products like MacBooks and previous iPhone models. While durable overall, these surfaces can show minor wear and tear over time.
The iPhone 17 Pro’s switch from titanium to aluminum was a design choice aimed at improving heat dissipation. While this offers thermal advantages, aluminum is a softer metal, making it inherently more susceptible to scratches. Despite this, overall durability tests have been impressive. For instance, the iPhone Air resisted bending even with its ultra-thin frame, and all four new iPhones feature Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which has proven significantly more scratch-resistant than its predecessor.
In conclusion, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Air models demonstrate strong durability in most aspects, real-world user experiences over time will provide the clearest picture of their resilience.