Zayed Rehman on September 20, 2025, 7:09 pm

iPhone 17 Pro And iPhone Air Scratchgate Is Real

New iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Models Already Showing Scratches at Apple Stores.

Apple’s latest iPhones have barely hit store shelves, and some of the demo units are already looking a little worse for wear.

According to Bloomberg, and also spotted by French site Consomac, several iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air display models are showing scratches and scuffs, particularly in the darker finishes like Deep Blue (on the Pro/Pro Max) and Space Black (on the Air).

It’s tough to say how widespread this is, or whether it’s just a few unlucky display units that took some rough handling from curious shoppers.

After all, Apple Store floor models aren’t exactly treated with kid gloves. Still, it raises a fair question: are the new iPhones a bit more prone to scratches than we’d like?

Part of this could come down to materials. The iPhone 17 Pro lineup uses an aluminum unibody with a Ceramic Shield-like back. That’s a shift from last year’s iPhone 16 Pro models, which had a tougher titanium frame. Aluminum is generally softer than titanium, so it wouldn’t be shocking if scratches showed up more easily this time.

The iPhone Air, on the other hand, does keep titanium in the frame, but its Space Black finish is apparently not immune either. Even with Ceramic Shield glass, darker colors tend to highlight scratches more visibly than lighter shades.

For everyday buyers, this doesn’t mean your brand-new iPhone will scratch instantly. But it’s a gentle reminder that if you’re going for the darker models, you may want to slap on a case or at least be a little extra careful. The good news is, with normal personal use, most people won’t be nearly as rough as hundreds of hands in an Apple Store.