Here’s a personal account from Victor Hristov, editor at PhoneArena, after a month of using the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max:
Apple touted the new aluminum design of the iPhone 17 Pro as a breakthrough for heat dissipation, and while that’s true, the phone unfortunately feels far too fragile. Despite my careful handling, both the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max I’ve been using for just a short time already show noticeable dents and scratches. This is particularly surprising given the durability of previous iPhone models.
Apple used a titanium frame on the 16 Pro and 15 Pro, and before that, stainless steel. I’ve used both titanium and stainless steel iPhones for months, and aside from minor screen scratches, the edges remained virtually undamaged. The contrast here is striking.
The soft aluminum frame makes the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max highly prone to scratches.
Ironically, my iPhone Air, which I use daily and is much thinner, looks brand new thanks to its far more durable titanium build. Another surprising find: the iPhone’s screen now resists scratches remarkably well, making the aluminum frame the weaker link.
Unless Apple is trying to make “vintage chic” the next big trend, this new aluminum finish feels like a design misstep. A $1,200 premium smartphone shouldn’t require a case just to survive everyday use.
The seemingly fragile iPhone Air proves far more durable thanks to its titanium frame.
The iPhone’s chief rival, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, uses a titanium frame, and unsurprisingly, it remains pristine even after a year of office wear and tear. Yet the iPhone 17 Pro isn’t the only aluminum phone—Google’s Pixel 10 Pro also uses aluminum but doesn’t show wear nearly as quickly as this month-old iPhone.
The difference likely lies in color and finish choices. Aluminum naturally has a silver tone, so scratches on a silver iPhone 17 Pro are less noticeable. But a bright silver scratch on a deep navy blue or Cosmic Orange model? It stands out starkly.
Ironically, Apple pioneered titanium as a selling point with the iPhone 15 Pro. Now, just two years later, they’ve taken a step backward.
Titanium and aluminum aren’t the only options. We’re not reverting to plastic iPhones, but ceramic has proven to be one of the most durable and premium-feeling materials. Xiaomi, Oppo, and even OnePlus have experimented with ceramic backs—it’s scratch-resistant, feels luxurious, and stays looking new for years.
The trade-off is slightly more weight and higher cost, but for a $1,200+ “Pro Max” device, that’s hardly a valid excuse. Ceramic also exudes a luxury that aluminum can’t match—something Apple knows well, having used it in the Apple Watch Edition for years, touting its “durability and elegance.”
For now, the solution is clear: use a case with your iPhone 17 Pro. Or wear velvet gloves.
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