MagSafe Stands Blamed by Apple for iPhone 17 ‘Scratchgate’

Key Points

• Apple’s Response: Apple claims that the perceived scratches on the iPhone 17 Pro are actually “material transfer” from worn MagSafe stands.
• Cleaning Solution: Apple states these marks can be cleaned off, although confirmation is pending.
• Reported Issues: Some users have reported genuine scratches, particularly on the blue and orange models.
• Protective Measures: Using a case for the iPhone 17 Pro is advisable given the reported issues.

Amid reports that Apple’s new iPhone 17 Pro is particularly prone to scratches on its backside, the company has issued a response.

Apple told 9to5Mac that the scratches that people are (as far as I can tell) largely seeing on store display units of the iPhone 17 Pro are not scratches at all. Per Apple’s response to 9to5Mac, this is actually “material transfer” that is occurring via the use of worn down MagSafe stands in retail stores. This can apparently affect older iPhone models, too. Apple says these “scratches” are removable by cleaning, though we can’t explicitly confirm that at this time.

Mashable has reached out to Apple to confirm this for ourselves, but the company has not responded at the time of publication.

Whether or not the scratches are actually scratches, they do seem to be real. One Mashable employee reported seeing scratches on the blue and orange iPhone 17 Pro models at an Apple Store. Most reports indicate the scratches are around where the MagSafe stand would touch the phone, which would lend some credence to what Apple is saying. However, again, there’s no guarantee that what Apple said is actually the explicit truth.

Whatever the reason may be, it might be prudent to put a case on your iPhone 17 Pro.