iPhone 17 Pro’s ‘scratchgate’ is a lesson in design for AndroidThe sharp edges of the camera plateau are spalling, and we hope Android brands don't copy the design.

iPhone 17 Pro’s ‘scratchgate’ is a lesson in design for Android

Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

TL;DR

• The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are facing a “scratchgate” controversy due to widespread scratches on demo units.
• The issue is not the return to aluminum as a build material, but a design flaw in the sharp-edged camera plateau.
• This “spalling” damage should serve as a warning to Android brands who might try to copy the design.

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Apple recently launched the iPhone 17 series and the iPhone Air. While the Air is grabbing a lot of headlines for its slim physique, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are also in the news for their “scratchgate” controversy. Demo units in Apple Stores worldwide have been spotted with scratches on the phone’s frame. Now, we better understand what’s happening with the iPhone 17 Pro’s scratch resistance, and why Android brands should not copy the large camera plateau.

iFixit tore down the iPhone 17 Pro to peek at its internals, but it also spent some time trying to scratch the phone and put it under a microscope.

The sharp edges of the camera plateau are spalling, and we hope Android brands don't copy the design.Aamir Siddiqui2025-09-24T09:22:24.000Z{}