Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 17 launch day has been clouded by a growing number of reports from early buyers and journalists noting cosmetic damage on brand-new devices. The deep blue variant of the iPhone 17 Pro and the black version of the iPhone 17 Air are reportedly showing scuffs and scratches with surprising ease, in some cases straight out of the box or after only a few hours on display at Apple Stores.
Observations from Apple retail locations in New York, London, and Shanghai confirmed the issue on display units. Simultaneously, the topic exploded on social media, quickly becoming a top trending subject on China’s Weibo and generating numerous posts on X from new owners sharing photos of the blemishes. This immediate backlash is creating a significant narrative problem for a launch Apple is counting on to maintain its market momentum.
The likely culprit appears to be the new iPhone 17’s return to an anodized aluminum chassis for its Pro models, a departure from the more durable surgical-grade stainless steel used in recent years. While aluminum is lighter, it is a softer metal and is more susceptible to scratching, especially when coated with a dark color. The issue is creating a direct contradiction with Apple’s marketing, which had touted the new devices as having a more scratch-resistant finish.
For long-time Apple watchers, the situation is strikingly familiar, drawing immediate comparisons to the “Scuffgate” controversy that plagued the iPhone 5 launch in 2012. That device also used an anodized aluminum frame in a dark slate color that was notoriously prone to showing silver scuffs along its chamfered edges. At the time, Apple executives essentially stated that this was normal for any aluminum product.
This is not the first time a major Apple launch has been met with unexpected hardware complaints. The company has previously navigated “Bendgate” with the thin iPhone 6 and “Antennagate” with the iPhone 4. Adding to the current concerns, some users are also reporting that Apple’s own MagSafe charger can leave a distinct circular imprint on the back of the new Pro models.
So far, Apple has not issued an official statement regarding the scratching. The reports are casting a shadow over an otherwise strong debut, shifting the focus from new features to questions about real-world durability. As devices continue to reach customers’ hands over the weekend, all eyes will be on Apple to see how it addresses the unwelcome return of a “Scuffgate” controversy.
