iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max reportedly picking up dents and scuffs even in cases
Apple’s new iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have already been caught up in "scratchgate," with demo units and early adopters reporting visible scuffs and scratches just days after launch. Now, fresh user complaints suggest that the problem may be even more serious: some owners say their devices are sustaining damage even while inside protective cases.
On the r/iPhone17Pro subreddit, multiple iPhone 17 Pro owners described damage after seemingly minor drops despite using reputable cases. u/Jman42023 claimed their new iPhone 17 Pro Max was dented after falling from waist height in Apple’s official Tech Woven Case. Another user, u/ChakiWRLD, reported their iPhone 17 Pro was bruised from a 3-foot drop, despite having both a Spigen case and a screen protector.
A third user, u/holden_downunder98, reported similar frustration, writing that their iPhone 17 Pro suffered impact damage inside a Pelican case, which is all the more surprising since Pelican cases are typically regarded as tough, heavy-duty protection.
In all cases, the damage shows up around the top edges of the phone. While the Apple case may not offer much in terms of impact protection, Spigen and Pelican cases are well-regarded for drop resistance. Pelican even rates its cheapest iPhone 17 Pro cases for drops of up to 16 feet, which should, at least in theory, handle a pocket-height fall without issue.
The switch from titanium to aluminum seems to be working against Apple. This isn’t the first time the company has used aluminum; the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus both featured 100% recycled aluminum frames. However, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are noticeably heavier than the standard models, so there’s a lot more force when they hit the ground. That could explain why even protected models are coming away with visible damage after short drops.
At this stage, the damage appears mostly cosmetic, but it shows how much worse it could be when the Pro models are dropped from greater heights. Getting a case should still help minimize the damage. Spigen has rolled out ruggedized cases for the iPhone 17 series, and brands like OtterBox offer even bulkier options, but ultimately, AppleCare looks like a must-have this year.
Source(s)
u/holden_downunder98, u/Jman42023, u/ChakiWRLD on Reddit, Pelican
