A not-so-flawless debut
It’s iPhone launch day, a time of excitement for Apple fans lining up to get their hands on the latest and greatest. This year, however, some of that excitement is being met with disappointment. Reports are flooding in from Apple stores in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London that display models of the new iPhone 17 are already showing visible damage.
Is this history repeating itself?
Demo unit iPhone 17 Pro scratches on day 1… (it’s not even 24 hours yet)
Use a case immediately if you don’t wait to experience this kind of issue. I’m very disappointed with the quality here pic.twitter.com/zRjIQrl3zA
— Bradley (@VerdeSelvans) September 19, 2025
For Apple, launch day issues can really tarnish a product’s reputation, and honestly, this isn’t their first rodeo. The situation is eerily similar to the iPhone 5’s “Scuffgate” back in 2012, which also involved easily scratched dark aluminum models. We’ve also seen “Bendgate” with the thin iPhone 6 and antenna issues with the iPhone 4.
However, while no phone is scratch-proof, when Apple claims that its new phones have a more resistant finish, people pay attention and the claim is immediately put under a microscope. This news matters most to early adopters and anyone with their heart set on the sleek new deep blue or black models. You might have to choose between showing off the new design and keeping it pristine.
Scuffgate 2.0?
Although slightly disappointing, this situation isn’t entirely surprising, as dark, anodized aluminum is notoriously prone to showing scuffs. Still, for those that purchased a darker colored iPhone this year, it’s looking like applying a protective case or maybe even a skin, might be the sensible thing to do.
“Iconic Phones” is coming this Fall!
Rediscover some of the most unique and memorable phones of the last two decades! “Iconic Phones” is a beautifully illustrated book that we’ve been working on for over a year – and it’s coming out in just a couple short month!