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Following the launch of the iPhone 17, a controversy dubbed ‘scratchgate’ emerged after customers observed that demo units displayed in stores exhibited visible wear marks on their backs. Apple conducted an investigation and clarified that these blemishes resulted from material transfer from older MagSafe chargers used during product demonstrations on store displays.
The company initially stated it was working on a resolution for this issue in retail locations. Recent observations suggest progress has been made; Consomac detected new MagSafe chargers equipped with an external silicone ring being used at Apple Stores.
Previously, Apple indicated that the marks were not permanent and could be removed through thorough cleaning. An additional step in their solution involved replacing the older MagSafe chargers on display with updated models.
The company also noted that these imperfections weren’t exclusive to the iPhone 17 series but were also found on earlier iPhone 16 models. However, the focus remained on the latest devices. It’s believed that the silicone ring provides a protective barrier between the charger’s aluminum surface and the phone’s back, potentially serving as a temporary fix until entirely new chargers made from different materials are produced.
This issue seems primarily linked to the rigorous daily use of demo units and hasn’t been widely reported by consumers using MagSafe accessories at home, where the devices are less subjected to such abuse. Overall, the new iPhones are expected to be more resilient than past models. Notably, the iPhone 17 introduces Apple’s proprietary Ceramic Shield glass on both the front and back, with the Ceramic Shield 2 on the display offering enhanced scratch resistance.
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