Apple Store iPhone 17 Pro display model ‘scratches’ are just removable marks from worn in-store MagSafe chargers

Apple’s current iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are available in three stunning finishes: an elegant deep blue, a bold cosmic orange, and a refined silver.
The iPhone Air has excelled in bend and scratch tests, but some users have expressed concerns about the iPhone 17 Pro’s aluminum body durability. A Bloomberg News article first reported visible wear and tear on iPhone 17 Pro demo units in Apple Stores and other retail locations, with marks primarily appearing on the back, particularly near the MagSafe cutout.
Chance Miller for 9to5Mac:
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Apple tells me it has determined these imperfections are caused by worn MagSafe stands used in some stores. It also clarifies that the marks aren’t scratches, but rather material transfer from the stand to the phone that is removable with cleaning. The company says it is working to address these problems at the stores, presumably by replacing the worn MagSafe stands. Other iPhones on display are also affected by this, including iPhone 16 models.
JerryRigEverything highlighted another durability concern in a video over the weekend. In his testing, he found that the raised edges around the camera plateau on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro are particularly susceptible to scratches. He explained that this is largely because Apple didn’t add a chamfer, fillet, or radius around the camera plateau.
Apple tells me that iPhone 17 Pro’s camera plateau edges have similar characteristics to the edges of the anodized aluminum cases on other Apple products, including other iPhone models and MacBooks. While those edges are durable and undergo Apple’s rigorous testing, the company says users may see normal wear and tear, including small abrasions, over time.
JerryRigEverything also found that the iPhone 17 Pro is impressively scratch-resistant outside of the camera plateau edges. This includes the body of the phones, which shouldn’t show any damage under normal usage, as well as the camera plateau itself. It’s just the edges of the camera plateau that are weaker.

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MacDailyNews Take: If only we had a nickel for every scammer – likely working for Samsung or some Chinese iPhone knockoff peddlers – who tried to plant the “scratchgate” narrative with us since iPhone’s launch day.
We didn’t fall for it. Prospective iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max buyers shouldn’t either.
iPhones, especially naked, case-free iPhones like ours, will show normal signs of use. If you’re trying to preserve your iPhone in perfect condition, after a year of that tedium, you’re only going to see an extra $20-$40 for trade-in or resale. In other words, ENJOY your iPhone, let it LIVE and BREATHE, and relax. Your iPhone is meant to be seen, not hidden away, smothering, in order to maybe net an extra Andrew Jackson when your part with it.

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