According to Bloomberg, demo units of the Deep Blue iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max and Space Black iPhone Air displayed visible scratches within hours at Apple Stores in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Chinese users quickly shared photos online, sending related hashtags trending with more than 40 million views on Weibo.

Some buyers also reported that Apple’s MagSafe charger leaves circular marks on the iPhone 17 Pro’s rear glass. The issue has raised concerns because Apple switched from titanium to unibody aluminum frames for the Pro series this year. While Apple claimed a new scratch-resistant coating, aluminum remains vulnerable, particularly in darker shades.

This is not the first time Apple has faced complaints about durability. The black and slate-colored iPhone 5 (2012) was infamous for scratching, while the glossy Jet Black iPhone 7 was called “super scratch-prone.” Other models faced separate controversies: the iPhone 6 with “bendgate” and the iPhone 4 with its antenna reception flaw.

Still, experiences differ. Mark Spoonauer, Global Editor-in-Chief of Tom’s Guide, said his Deep Blue iPhone 17 Pro Max has survived over a week of use with no scratches. He noted that demo units tend to be handled roughly, unlike personal devices, which are often protected with cases.

Light-colored versions of the iPhone 17 lineup, such as the white, pale yellow (Air), or orange (Pro), seem less affected, or scratches are less visible.

Despite the criticism, demand for the iPhone 17 series remains robust. In parts of Asia, Pro Max models are already backordered for up to four weeks. Apple has not yet commented on the scratch issue, but many hope the company will take measures to avoid repeating past missteps.

Du Lam