Scratching Concerns Emerge for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Models

Following the launch of Apple's iPhone 17 series on September 19, 2025, reports have surfaced regarding scratches and scuffs on display models, particularly affecting the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air. Observations from various Apple Stores in cities including New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London revealed that the Deep Blue variants of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, as well as the Space Black iPhone Air, exhibited visible blemishes after only a few hours of display use. The issue appears to be more pronounced on darker finishes, raising concerns about the durability of these new models.

iPhone 17 Pro In Blue And iPhone Air In Black Prone To Scratches, Raising Durability Concerns Despite Apple’s ClaimsThe Straits TimesiPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air are prone to scratches, especially the dark colorsCityLab

The iPhone 17 Pro features an aluminum unibody, while the iPhone Air incorporates a ceramic shield on both the front and back. Despite Apple's marketing claims of a more scratch-resistant finish, early reports suggest that the aluminum used in the iPhone 17 Pro models may be more susceptible to scratches compared to the titanium frames of previous models. This has led to speculation that the absence of a black color option in this year's lineup may be a response to anticipated durability issues.

MacRumorsiPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air are prone to scratches, especially the dark colorsiPhone 17 Pro In Blue And iPhone Air In Black Prone To Scratches, Raising Durability Concerns Despite Apple’s ClaimsThe Straits Times

Chinese consumers have actively expressed their dissatisfaction on social media platforms, particularly Weibo, where the topic of scratched iPhones quickly gained traction, amassing over 40 million views. The visibility of these complaints could pose a challenge for Apple, especially as the company aims to regain momentum in a competitive market while also focusing on artificial intelligence advancements.

iPhone 17 Pro In Blue And iPhone Air In Black Prone To Scratches, Raising Durability Concerns Despite Apple’s Claims

As of now, Apple has not publicly addressed the scratching concerns. However, industry analysts suggest that the company may already be aware of the issue, which could explain the decision to omit a black color option this year. The potential impact of these durability concerns on sales remains to be seen, especially as early demand for the iPhone 17 Pro models appears strong across Asia.

iPhone 17 Pro In Blue And iPhone Air In Black Prone To Scratches, Raising Durability Concerns Despite Apple’s Claims

While reports of scratches have been consistent across various sources, the extent of the issue remains unclear. Some sources indicate that the scratches are primarily visible on display models, suggesting that customer handling may contribute to the problem. However, the lack of a comprehensive response from Apple leaves questions about the durability of the iPhone 17 series unanswered.

iPhone 17 Pro In Blue And iPhone Air In Black Prone To Scratches, Raising Durability Concerns Despite Apple’s Claims

• “The deep blue variants of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max exhibited scuffs after just a few hours of being on display, Bloomberg News found from visits to Apple stores in New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and London.” — Bloomberg

CityLab

• “Scratches were prevalent around the MagSafe charging area of the iPhone Air and across the entire back of iPhone 17 Pro models.” — Notebookcheck

iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air are prone to scratches, especially the dark colors

• “The fresh social media backlash threatens to disrupt an otherwise strong debut for the iPhone 17, which Apple is counting on to maintain its momentum at a time when the company is struggling to roll out artificial intelligence features.” — Strait Times

The Straits Times

As the situation develops, consumers and industry observers will be closely monitoring Apple's response and any potential implications for the iPhone 17 series' market performance.

The Straits Times