The latest "gate" scandal to hit Apple, a company that has been though a plethora of such issues, is #scratchgate. There was the #antennagate problem that hit the iPhone 4 in 2010 after Apple moved the antenna on that model. That led to the late Steve Jobs admonishing iPhone users for holding their iPhone 4 units incorrectly. Next was #bendgate which took place four years later when some iPhone 6 Plus units were bending in users' pockets.
In late 2016, Apple was accused of quietly throttling the performance of older iPhone models (such as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S) via iOS updates in order to prevent units with weaker batteries from shutting down during complex tasks. The iPhone 6 and Phone 6 Plus were the subject of another issue called iPhone "Touch Disease." Integrated Circuit chips on the phone's logic board that control touch input were not reinforced with solder as they were with previous models and some of these chips cracked. As a result, some users noticed a flickering gray line at the top of the screen while some screens didn't work at all.
Introducing #scratchgate, the latest iPhone "scandal"
This year we have #scratchgate. Apple iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models in a dark shade were showing scratches while on display inside Apple Stores. These demo units should have looked pristine even after getting handled by many potential iPhone buyers. Apple released a statement that was somewhat reminiscent of #antennagate's "You're holding it wrong," comment.
Apple said that what people were seeing on iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max units in the Apple Store were not scratches. Your eyes were seeing wrong. The tech giant said that what looked suspiciously like scratches were the result of material transferred from the worn MagSafe risers used to display the new handsets inside Apple Stores. Obviously, Apple doesn't want potential iPhone buyers getting spooked by terrible looking blemishes that look like scratches. So, changes are being made to how iPhone units are being displayed at Apple Stores.
What Apple is doing to eliminate the so-called scratches that mar the appearance of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
The charging stands used to hold up demo iPhones in Apple Stores will be refitted with softer, protective material that won't scrape the back of the phone every time the device is taken off the stand and returned to it. Silicone rings will be added to prevent the aluminum used on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max from coming into contact with the metal from the MagSafe stand.
Additionally, Apple has updated the maintenance schedule for demo iPhone models. The staff inside Apple Stores have been instructed to do a more thorough job cleaning the demo iPhone models using a solution that includes an ingredient with salt that helps clean and clear away the dirt or residue left by the MagSafe charging stands. With these changes, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max demos look great, exactly the way Apple wants them to look in front of a store full of potential purchasers.
Has #scratchgate kept you from buying a new iPhone?
Yes. don't want my new expensive phone easily scratched.
50%
No. Apple says it isn't a scratch, and I believe them.
16.67%
I wasn't planning to buy a new iPhone.
33.33%
The reason why the finish of the iPhone 17 Pro models inside the Apple Store is so important this year is that some consumers might have planned to trade-in their iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max, both made with a titanium build, to buy one of the new aluminum clad models. These people might have had second thoughts about making this deal if the new aluminum iPhones appear to scratch so easily.
Apple has been able to have #scratchgate" distract consumers from more serious issues about the iPhone 17 series including how far away the Apple iPhone is from competing with Google and Samsung when it comes to on-device AI capabilities on Pixel and Galaxy phones respectively.
"Iconic Phones" is coming this Fall!
Good news everyone! Over the past year we've been working on an exciting passion project of ours and we're thrilled to announce it will be ready to release in just a few short months.
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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
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