Is aluminum really the problem?

Apple is not alone in using aluminum frames. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro does as well. However, Google’s devices don’t show visible signs of wear nearly as quickly, suggesting that material alone may not be the issue.

Experts say the finish and color choice play a major role. Aluminum has a natural silver color, making scratches nearly invisible on silver variants. However, on dark shades like navy blue or Cosmic Orange, even a minor scratch reveals the bright silver underneath, making imperfections much more noticeable.

Apple was once a trendsetter in premium smartphone materials, having introduced titanium in 2023. Yet within two years, the company has reversed course.

Aluminum isn’t the only alternative. Ceramic - a material previously used by brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, and OnePlus - is scratch-resistant, durable, and gives devices a luxury feel. It also doesn’t show scuff marks when scratched.

The downside? Ceramic is heavier and more expensive to manufacture. But for a device that starts at over $1,000, Apple’s decision to avoid ceramic raises eyebrows.

Interestingly, Apple once used ceramic for its Apple Watch Edition series, touting its durability and elegance. Yet with the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple prioritized reducing weight and improving thermal performance, potentially at the expense of durability.

A Pro device, however, should be strong, stylish, and practical - not just in benchmarks or presentations, but in real-world usage.

Premium pricing demands premium resilience

Currently, the only effective solution to preserve the iPhone 17 Pro’s appearance is to use a protective case.

Apple has effectively traded the titanium durability of past models for aluminum’s superior thermal conductivity - but many users are questioning whether that trade-off was worth it.

Customers spending over $1,000 shouldn’t have to worry about their phone looking worn out after just a few weeks.

Apple needs to reevaluate its material strategy if the “Pro” moniker is to retain its meaning in both performance and build quality.

According to Bloomberg, complaints about durability began surfacing immediately after the iPhone 17 Pro hit store shelves. Units on display at Apple Stores in New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London already showed scratches - particularly on the Deep Blue variant - within hours of being handled.

Photos shared on Chinese social media helped drive the #iPhone17ProDurability topic to over 40 million views on Weibo.

Users also reported circular marks left on the iPhone 17 Pro’s back panel after using Apple’s MagSafe charger. Apple later explained that older MagSafe units could leave residue, but these could typically be wiped clean.

However, regarding real scratches around the camera bump, Apple admitted that the anodized aluminum coating can wear down with regular use.

According to iFixit, Apple transitioned from titanium frames in the iPhone 15 and 16 series to heat-forged aluminum in the iPhone 17 Pro. The move reduced thermal buildup but introduced a softer, more scratch-prone exterior.

While anodizing helps protect and color the aluminum surface, the sharp edges around the camera module are particularly vulnerable to chipping and scuffing.

Hai Phong