Anodized Finish of iPhone 17 Pro Prone to Chipping in Controversial 'Scratchgate' Cover-Up
The preliminary scratching reports on the finish of the iPhone 17 Pro have indeed been confirmed, especially at the sharp corners of the camera bump. Repair experts from iFixit performed a detailed teardown with microscopic evidence from the coating issue now dubbed 'Scratchgate,' which raises questions regarding Apple's design choices.
Microscopic Analysis of the Fault by iFixit
The finish was assessed by iFixit using an Evident DSX2000 microscope and picks whose hardness equals that of everyday objects such as coins and keys. The analysis confirmed a potent weak point:
- On flat surfaces, the anodized finish shows better resistance, with most scratches being superficial.
- The sharp corner of the camera plateau had a coating that was brittle and chipped extensively under very light pressure.
IIfixit noted that,
"faced with a pick the hardness of a penny, the anodized coating of the iPhone 17 Pro chips off to reveal shiny aluminum underneath."
A Correctable Design Blunder
The sharp transition of the corner itself is where the trouble resides, noted Niebuhr, a materials scientist who consulted on the teardown. Anodized layers chip off easily and have less strength at sharp edges. Niebuhr explained that simply making a thicker coating, while perhaps perceived by some as a solution, would in fact further worsen the problem.
He said, simply,
"Apple could have prevented this by making a more gradual curve and avoiding a relatively sharp corner"
Alteration of Repairability and Internal Enhancements
Furthermore, the teardown revealed major innovations in the internal design and repairability of the iPhone 17 Pro:
- Battery Replacement Upgraded: In a welcome improvement, the battery now sits in a tray that is screwed into place by fourteen Torx Plus screws, thus avoiding the complex adhesive removal procedures of previous models.
- Repair Access Decreased: removal of the two-entry design by Apple means the back panel is now only an entry point to the wireless charging hardware; therefore, most repairs will be done from the display side, which increases the probability of damaging the screen in the process.
- Cooling-The new Vapour Chamber: for improved thermal performance, Apple has incorporated a vapor chamber cooling solution. CT scans established that it was located between the battery and logic board, where it served to dissipate heat away from the A19 Pro chip.
How to Protect Your iPhone 17 Pro
No corrective or preventive measures have been taken, at least so far, by Apple. It is, therefore, left up to iPhone 17 Pro owners to take preventive measures to protect the finish of the device. Damage remains cosmetic and does not affect any operational capacity; however, it may be a source of annoyance when damage appears in a premium product.
- Employ a case that covers the camera plateau entirely.
- Do not carry the phone in the same pocket or bag with hard objects like keys or coins.
- Make sure to clean the device gently with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Take photographs of any signs of damage immediately once it appears.
