Apple’s iPhone 17 redesign has a potential durability problem

A not-so-flawless debut

It’s iPhone launch day, a time of excitement for Apple fans lining up to get their hands on the latest and greatest. This year, however, some of that excitement is being met with disappointment. Reports are flooding in from Apple stores in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London that display models of the new iPhone 17 are already showing visible damage.

Is this history repeating itself?

For Apple, launch day issues can really tarnish a product’s reputation, and honestly, this isn’t their first rodeo. The situation is eerily similar to the iPhone 5’s “Scuffgate” back in 2012, which also involved easily scratched dark aluminum models. We’ve also seen “Bendgate” with the thin iPhone 6 and antenna issues with the iPhone 4.

However, while no phone is scratch-proof, when Apple claims that its new phones have a more resistant finish, people pay attention and the claim is immediately put under a microscope. This news matters most to early adopters and anyone with their heart set on the sleek new deep blue or black models. You might have to choose between showing off the new design and keeping it pristine.

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