It wouldn’t be an iPhone launch without some sort of controversy. This time, it’s ‘scratchgate’. Demonstration models of the new iPhones that have been delivered to stores are exhibiting significant scratching on the back.
A report at Cult of Mac has found that the Ceramic Shield 2 back, that Apple said was made to withstand scratching, seems to be more vulnerable than expected.
Many of the new iPhone 17 Pros and iPhone Airs are already scratched, especially the iPhone 17 Pro in deep blue and the iPhone Air in space black. But other colors showed scratches, too, even the iPhone 17 Pro in cosmic orange — the hot color this year.
Previous iPhone models have had their own controversies. The iPhone 4 went through ‘antennagate’ Some customers experienced dropped calls. This typically occurred when the iPhone was held in a user’s left hand, and covered the handset’s tiny antenna gap.
A couple of years later, there was ‘bendgate’. Some users reported that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus chassis was susceptible to bending under pressure, such as when carried tightly in a user’s pocket.
When Apple releases a new product, particularly an iPhone, there is significant media attention and scrutiny. Issues are often amplified. However, the evidence that Cult of Mac has produced seems to indicate that scratchgate is a significant problem to solve.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.