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The new iPhone 17 Pro series is no doubt a powerful device, and it comes with a wealth of upgrades over the previous models. But an issue has also surfaced — and we mean surface in quite the literal sense
Since the iPhone arrived in stores last week, we have heard of users complaining about scratches and scuffs appearing on devices and store models. There's enough reports, in fact, that the issue now has its own name — “scratchgate.”
A Bloomberg report noted the issue seems to be most prevalent on darker colors of the iPhone 17 Pro like Deep Blue as well as on the Space Black version of the iPhone Air.
For its part, Apple has said the problem stems from worn MagSafe risers in its store causing material transfer to the back of the new iPhones. The company added that this material can be easily removed by cleaning.
However, my colleague John Velasco noted that he saw the small scratches on his Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro. This is likely due to storing his phone in a bag in the pocket as other phones. Our Deep Blue iPhone 17 Pro has not shown any scratches as of yet.
Still, there are things you can do to keep your iPhone safe and looking its best. When I worked as a phone engineer for a Samsung repair center, a lot of time was spent teaching people the best means to keep their phones looking pristine, so let’s run through some of the things you can do.
Buy the right case
One of the best things you can do to keep your phone safe is also one of the most obvious: buy a decent case. However, you want to focus on the areas where the damage is more prevalent. You can invest in a thinner case if you don't want extra bulk obscuring your phone's profile, but you need to make sure your case protects the more damage-prone areas of the phone.
Practically every case will cover the back, so that’s not really an issue; instead, you'll want to look at the buttons and the new camera panel on the iPhone 17 Pro models and the iPhone Air. That’s because these create an edge, which can catch on things and lead to chipping or other damage. Ideally, you want a case that either has a lip around the cutout and, in the case of the buttons, covers them completely.
We've already got a guide to the best iPhone 17 Pro Max cases as well as the best iPhone Air cases. Our iPhone 17 Pro case round-up will be appearing shortly.
Here's some iPhone 17 Pro Max cases that have caught my eye.
Both of these cases offer ridges over the camera block, as well as coveri the buttons, so should help mitigate potential damange.
Be carful where you carry your phone
Not everyone's going to get a case for their iPhone. So what else can you do to avoid the Scratchgate issues as much as possible? Some of it comes down to where we keep our phones when they’re not in our hands.
If you keep your phone in your pocket, then make sure you don’t keep it in the same pocket where you have your keys and change. Your phone will constantly shift in your pocket as you move about, and any other things in there can, and will, lead to scratches. The same is true for your bag, so make sure that you place your phone in its own pocket.
One of the best things you can do in this case is to buy a small carrying bag, ideally made out of a soft cloth, that you can keep your phone in when not in use.
Be careful when placing your phone down
It's important to be careful where you place your phone when putting it down. While you might think your countertop is spotless, there can be all manner of detritus that can lead to scratches. This is primarily important when you’re charging the phone.
Ideally, you’ll want to look at a MagSafe charging stand or something similar to help keep the phone raised up, while also minimizing any heat generated. Ideally, any stand you buy should be soft where it meets the phone for that added level of protection.
It’s worth noting that the worst reports we’ve seen so far appear to be outliers, and even the best phones will eventually show some wear and tear over time. As such, you shouldn't worry too much about "scratchgate."
However, we hope that these tips will help to keep your new iPhone safe. If you have your own ideas or tips, then please leave a comment to help others. Also, let us know if you’ve experienced this issue yourself or not.
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