Recently, some usersdevelopment, the iPhone 17 Pro navy blue or black iPhone Air seem to be more prone to scratches than previous models in physical display machines or daily use, and there are even obvious circular marks, which coincide with the contact range of MagSafe magnetic charging.
In response, Apple told 9to5Mac thatExplanation, stating that these circular marks are not true scratches, but rather "transfers" from the MagSafe charging dock material, which can be removed through cleaning. Apple also recommends updating retail display environments or replacing old MagSafe accessories to prevent similar issues from occurring again. In other words, at least regarding the circular marks, Apple does not believe they are structural or design issues.
However, some users pointed out that the edges of the iPhone 17 Pro's lens module may still show significant wear and tear. Previous designs often had chamfered or rounded corners, but the new phone's unibody aluminum alloy camera module lacks additional processing design, which may make it more susceptible to scratches from daily friction.
Apple responded that the iPhone 17 Pro's lens module uses the same processing method as other aluminum alloy products, which is durable enough, but may still show slight wear and tear after long-term use. This statement indirectly acknowledges that "minor scratches are inevitable", but it still does not truly respond to the outside world's doubts about the durability of the new phone's design.
It's worth noting that Apple has switched the iPhone 17 Pro's frame from titanium to a unibody aluminum alloy. This has the advantages of being lighter and providing better heat dissipation, while also streamlining the manufacturing process. However, aluminum alloy is indeed less hard and scratch-resistant than titanium, which may be the root cause of the perception that it's "more susceptible to scratches."
