Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro represents a significant advancement in design, but recent durability assessments have highlighted a potential flaw that could emerge as its own version of “Scratch-Gate.”Renowned YouTuber JerryRigEverything subjected the smartphone to rigorous stress tests, revealing a surprising vulnerability in the vibrant anodized aluminum finish, particularly at the sharp edges of the camera plateau.
Durability Tests Expose Vulnerabilities in iPhone 17 Pro’s Design
In a bid to enhance durability, Apple employs an anodizing technique that strengthens the aluminum frame and improves resistance to scratches. This process involves submerging raw aluminum in an acidic solution, electrifying it to produce a robust aluminum oxide surface, which ranks just below diamond in hardness. However, the anodizing process struggles to adhere effectively to sharp corners—an oversight evident in the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera bump design.
Instead of softening the edges with rounded contours, Apple opted for a stylish, acute design that ultimately highlights a significant weakness of anodizing. During his tests, JerryRigEverything demonstrated that while the flat surface of the camera plateau proved resilient against scratches from a coin and a key, the corners suffered immediate chipping, exposing the silver aluminum beneath. This indicates that users may face inevitable wear over time, urging them to invest in protective cases for their devices.
Interestingly, industry standards for anodizing typically suggest incorporating rounded edges to enhance the durability of the oxide layer. This consideration appears to have been overlooked by Apple’s design team, who prioritized aesthetics over long-term durability. Consequently, the sharp corners of the camera plateau are more susceptible to scratches than the rest of the device.
It is essential to note, however, that this design flaw does not render the iPhone 17 Pro fragile in its entirety. In fact, the annual iPhone bend test showcased the model’s impressive structural integrity; Jerry highlighted that the device remained unscathed during bending trials, thanks to its solid aluminum unibody and reinforced frame. While the iPhone 17 Pro stands as the strongest iPhone created by Apple to date, the “Scratch-Gate”issue concerning the camera plateau demands that users invest in a suitable case to safeguard these vulnerable components.
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