Today, I made a quick trip to my local Apple Store to investigate the so-called ‘scratch gate’. And guess what? It’s real. Just look at my photos, and you’ll see why Apple has a problem on their hands. If their products look like this inside the store, it raises concerns about what they look like in everyday life.
The iPhone lineup this year, including the sleek iPhone Air and the distinct iPhone 17 Pro, has stirred quite the conversation. However, not all responses are positive. Many users are discovering that the dark blue iPhone 17 Pro and black iPhone Air are easily scratched. In fact, social media is buzzing with complaints. Users are documenting their scratches, claiming that even a brief lack of protection leads to visible damage.
As history shows, when Apple faces issues, they often get a catchy name. Think back to Antenna-gate or Bend-gate. Now, we have Scratch-gate. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the issue with scratching might explain the absence of a black iPhone 17 Pro this year. He mentions that its anodized aluminum frame is likely the culprit, much like issues seen in previous models. This isn’t the first time Apple’s design choices have backfired.
Critics are particularly pointing fingers at the camera plateau’s sharp edges, which could be weakening the anodization process, making the phones more prone to scratches. In a teardown video, YouTuber JerryRigEverything highlights how these design choices could lead to durability concerns.
User reactions have been strong. Twitter is filled with posts expressing disappointment. Some have even suggested that opting for a silver variant might be wiser to avoid the scratches. It seems the initial allure of these bold colors might come with a hefty price.
As the tech world watches, the question remains—does innovative design justify potential vulnerability? Only time will tell if Apple can turn this around or if Scratch-gate will haunt them for a while. For now, if you’re considering one of these new models, investing in a sturdy case might be your best bet.
