Following a wave of complaints, iFixit not only listened but also verified the issue by examining the iPhone 17 Pro’s casing under a microscope. The results confirmed the scratches, revealing clear peeling of the anodized coating around the camera bezel.
The camera bezel is highly susceptible to scratches.
iFixit consulted technical experts to understand the phenomenon. The issue doesn’t stem from the overall aluminum casing quality but from a critical design flaw: the overly sharp edges of the camera bezel.
A digital microscope image reveals the scratches (Photo: iFixit)
Specifically, the anodization process, which colors and protects the casing, tends to be uneven on sharp edges. Here, the coating is thinner and weaker compared to flat surfaces. Even minor impacts or friction can easily peel off this fragile layer, exposing the lighter metal beneath and creating visible scratches.
One expert asserts that Apple could have prevented this by designing the camera bezel with smoother, rounded edges instead of sharp corners.
What should users do?
iFixit’s straightforward advice is: use a protective case. Without one, the camera bezel is almost certain to sustain damage during normal use.
Beyond the scratching issue, iFixit’s teardown also sheds light on the iPhone 17 Pro’s repairability, with both good and bad news:
Good news: The battery is secured with screws, making future replacements easier.
Bad news: Most other repairs (aside from the battery) require removing the screen first, increasing complexity and risk. This is seen as a step backward compared to the newly released iPhone Air.
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