iPhone 17 Pro (Max) durability test: Scratchgate is Apple's fault

The recent durability tests on JerryRigEverything’s YouTube channel have been slightly different from the usual. The YouTuber, real name Zack Nelson, had to bring out a crane scale for the iPhone Air, and delivered rather harsh criticism of Apple regarding the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, tested in Orange and Blue, respectively. According to Zack, the numerous reports about scratched iPhones are real and caused by something that could have been avoided, suggesting Apple alone is to blame for “Scratchgate”.

JRE explains Scratchgate

JerryRigEverything offered a plausible explanation for this issue: Through the process of anodisation, the phone’s aluminium unibody is finished with a hard oxide layer designed to protect the metal underneath from environmental damage. Although this layer is rated 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, it can’t be applied to sharp edges. Based on the relevant DIN standard, Apple should have slightly rounded the camera plateau’s edges to make them as scratch-resistant as the rest of the device. However, the company has apparently opted against this for aesthetic reasons.

Only sharp edges are vulnerable

This decision has notable consequences for the appearance of the large camera module. As effectively demonstrated by JRE using a microscope, everyday items such as keys and coins are enough to scrape off the barely present protective layer on the edges. Scratch-like residues left by other objects can be easily wiped off on the rest of the iPhone, but this is not the case with the camera plateau’s edges, where the thin oxide layer actually wears off if the device isn’t protected by a case from the outset.

Ceramic Shield 2 offers improved protection

The durability test partially confirms the widespread reports of scratched-up iPhone 17 demo units. Nevertheless, some of the scratches on the display glass or flat aluminium surfaces may be removable by wiping – similar cases have been observed in earlier iPhone generations. The rest of the durability test didn’t reveal anything else objectionable: The new Ceramic Shield 2 display glass started showing visible scratches at Mohs level 8 (just like on the iPhone Air), which marks a clear improvement over previous iPhones.