Scratchgate hits the iPhone 17 Pro as iFixit confirms aluminum finish is prone to damage

From the moment people began handling the iPhone 17 Pro, reports of scratches started to appear, especially near the camera bump. In its latest teardown, iFixit confirmed the issue under a microscope, showing how the anodized aluminum layer flakes off around sharp edges and exposes bright aluminum underneath. That flaw is now widely called Scratchgate and it is generating serious doubts about Apple’s material choice and design execution.

iFixit brought in materials experts and used the Evident DSX2000 microscope to analyze how the finish behaves under stress. They ran tests with picks that mimic the hardness of coins or keys. On flat surfaces, the anodized finish held up better, with most scratches remaining superficial. At the sharp corner of the camera plateau, the oxide layer chipped badly. In iFixit’s words, “faced with a pick the hardness of a penny, the iPhone 17 Pro’s anodized coating chips away, revealing shiny aluminum underneath.”

To better understand the problem, iFixit consulted materials scientist David Niebuhr. He explained that the anodized layer is weaker around sharp transitions. Making the oxide layer thicker would not fix the issue, as it would only worsen the flaking and remove more of the underlying material when it broke. As Niebuhr put it, “Apple could have prevented this by making a more gradual curve and avoiding a relatively sharp corner.”

The teardown also revealed several changes to repairability. For the first time, the iPhone’s battery sits in a screwed-in tray with fourteen Torx Plus screws. iFixit noted that this is an improvement because it avoids messy adhesive removal during battery replacements. At the same time, Apple removed the dual-entry repair design. The back panel now only provides access to wireless charging hardware, while most repairs must be done through the display, which increases the risk of damage during servicing.

Apple has also included a vapor chamber for heat management in the iPhone 17 Pro. This chamber spreads heat through a lattice of copper and improves thermal performance compared to earlier designs. CT scans from iFixit showed how it sits between the battery and the logic board, conducting heat away from the A19 Pro chip. Apple has not publicly addressed Scratchgate and has not announced any steps to help affected users.

If you own or plan to buy an iPhone 17 Pro, I’d suggest using a case that covers the camera plateau as this is the most effective way to reduce scratches. Avoid tossing the phone into pockets with coins or keys, wipe it carefully with a soft cloth, and document any damage immediately if it appears. Scratchgate does not affect the phone’s performance, but at this price level, cosmetic damage is enough to frustrate owners.