Discover why the iPhone 17 Pro scratches easily.

YouTuber JerryRigEverything conducted a detailed durability test on the iPhone 17 Pro. Photo: YouTube/JerryRigEverything .

Many people have noticed scratches on the MagSafe charging area of display models at Apple Stores. These devices are handled by thousands of people every day and attached to metal stands.

According to MacRumors , Apple has confirmed to them that the scratches on the backs of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air display models in stores are due to being attached to the MagSafe wireless charging dock. The company claims these are not "scratches," but rather "material from the charger transferring to the phone," and that these marks can be wiped clean.

There have been no reports yet of retail iPhones being scratched on the back. On forums like Reddit or Apple's support page, there haven't been any cases that have sparked debate related to this issue.

However, this remains a topic of interest, and many people want to test it. YouTuber JerryRigEverything conducted a durability test, and the results showed that the iPhone 17 Pro has one area prone to scratches, but not the same area where the display iPhones at Apple Stores suffer damage.

According to JerryRigEverything , the iPhone 17 Pro models are made of aluminum, using an anodizing process to create the color. This process creates a hard, scratch-resistant finish, similar to sapphire. He himself demonstrated that most of the iPhone 17 Pro's casing will withstand minor scratches, including the area with the cutout for MagSafe charging.

However, the camera module is a weak point. This module has a sharp, protruding edge that is not beveled, causing the anodized coating there to not adhere firmly and to be easily scratched.

iFixit conducted a detailed investigation into the scratching issue on the iPhone 17 Pro, using an industrial microscope to provide a close-up view. Experts pointed out that the scratches around the camera module are not simply surface abrasions, but rather a phenomenon of anodizing.

To find out the cause, iFixit spoke with David Niebuhr, an engineer and professor of mechanical engineering. Niebuhr explained that the problem lies at the sharp edge of the camera module. At this location, the anodizing process used to color and strengthen the aluminum layer is uneven.

Under a microscope, scratches on the camera module reveal that Apple's anodized coating is prone to peeling. Photo: iFixit.

"Apple could have prevented this by creating a gentler curve and avoiding a relatively sharp angle," Niebuhr commented.

This shows that although Apple chose a highly durable aluminum material for the iPhone 17 Pro, the design around the camera area is an unexpected weakness, making the coating prone to chipping. Unless users use a protective case, the camera module is likely to get scratched during use.

Furthermore, iFixit also confirmed that iPhone 17 Pro owners will not have to worry about scratches on the MagSafe area of the back glass, unlike the display iPhones at Apple Stores. The scratched models at retail stores are likely damaged by friction with the metal on the charger Apple is using.

For the iPhone Air, Apple doesn't use the same anodizing process as the aluminum iPhone 17 Pro models. Instead, it employs physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology to coat a thin layer of colored titanium onto the body.