Apple’s new iPhone 17 Pro is drawing attention for more than its A19 Pro chip and new design. Just weeks after launch, users have reported that the phone’s aluminum frame is prone to scratches, especially around the camera bump—leading some to dub the issue “Scratchgate.”
A recent teardown from iFixit offers insight into why the finish may not hold up. Using the Evident DSX2000 microscope and hardness picks, iFixit found that while the flat aluminum surfaces resisted everyday wear, the sharp edges of the camera island were far more vulnerable. In tests simulating contact with coins or keys, the anodized coating on those corners chipped away, exposing the bare metal underneath.
Materials expert David Niebuhr told iFixit that the problem lies in the geometry. Anodization tends to bond less consistently around sharp transitions. A smoother curve could have reduced the risk of flaking, but Apple’s design choice seems to have left the corners exposed. The shift from titanium (used in the iPhone 16 Pro models) to aluminum helped reduce weight and improve heat dissipation, but it appears to have introduced cosmetic trade-offs.
Beyond the finish, the teardown highlighted some changes for repairs. The battery now sits in a removable tray secured with 14 Torx Plus screws, eliminating adhesive and making replacements easier. However, Apple also moved to a single-sided entry design, meaning most internal components are only accessible from the display side.
One positive: the iPhone 17 Pro includes a vapor chamber for cooling, replacing the graphite sheets used in previous models. Thermal scans suggest it spreads heat more evenly across the device.
Apple has not commented on the scratch reports. For now, users may want to use a case that protects the camera bump if they want to keep the phone looking new.
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