Recently, mere days after the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, these devices found themselves at the center of a 'scratchgate' storm. A number of media sources reported that the back panels of several brand-new iPhone models displayed at Apple's brick-and-mortar stores, especially in the vicinity of the MagSafe magnetic charging zone, exhibited conspicuous signs of abrasion. This ignited a flurry of discussions among users.

In response, Apple clarified that these blemishes were not scratches in the traditional sense. Instead, they were attributed to the excessive wear and tear of MagSafe chargers in certain stores. This wear led to a transfer of material, which could be eliminated through a simple cleaning process.

In the meantime, expert reviews highlighted that the sharp-edged design of the camera module on the iPhone 17 Pro rendered it more susceptible to scratches. Furthermore, in structural integrity tests carried out in conjunction with Allstate Protection Plans, the two latest models showcased remarkable resistance to bending. However, they fared less impressively in drop tests.