iFixit Investigates iPhone 17 Pro Scratch Complaints
▼ Summary
– The iPhone 17 Pro’s anodized aluminum body is reportedly prone to scratching, particularly around the camera plateau area.
– iFixit used a digital microscope to document the appearance of these scratches in detail.
– An engineering expert attributes the prominent scratching to a sharp corner on the camera bump where the anodization is uneven.
– The expert suggests Apple could have prevented the issue by designing a more gradual curve instead of a sharp edge.
– While iFixit praised the screwed-in battery for repairability, it criticized the requirement to remove the screen for most repairs.
The latest iPhone 17 Pro has sparked discussion among users, with many reporting that its anodized aluminum body appears unusually prone to scratching, particularly around the prominent camera housing. Repair specialists at iFixit have taken a closer look, using high-powered magnification to examine the issue in their recent teardown analysis of the device.
A series of images captured through a digital microscope reveal the extent of the surface damage. The scratches are not merely superficial; they exhibit a type of spalling damage that causes the material to chip or flake away, making the imperfections more noticeable than typical wear.
iFixit consulted with David Niebuhr, a mechanical engineering professor, to understand the root cause. Niebuhr points to the sharp geometric edge of the camera bump as the primary culprit. He explains that the anodization process, which adds a protective layer to the aluminum, does not apply as evenly on a sharp corner compared to a gently curved surface. This inconsistency leaves the area more vulnerable. According to his assessment, designing a more gradual curve instead of a sharp corner could have significantly mitigated this problem.
The teardown concludes that without the protection of a case, the camera plateau on the iPhone 17 Pro is highly likely to sustain cosmetic damage over time. On the topic of repairability, iFixit’s evaluation is mixed. The organization praised Apple for implementing a screwed-in battery, which simplifies replacement. However, they criticized the design choice that forces users to remove the phone’s screen to access many internal components, a step that was notably eliminated in the newer iPhone Air model.
(Source: The Verge)
