Apple Stores Fix iPhone 17 Scratch Issue On Demo Units: Here’s What Happened

Apple is once again dealing with a new controversy, this time called “#scratchgate.” Soon after the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max went on display in Apple Stores, customers noticed visible marks on demo units. At first glance, the blemishes looked like scratches, raising questions about whether the new aluminium finish was more fragile than last year’s titanium design. Also Read: Apple To Delay October Launch Event? Apple MacBook Pro, Air Models With M5 Chip May Launch Early 2026

Apple clarified that the iPhones themselves weren’t the issue. Instead, the problem came from the MagSafe display stands used in stores. The stands, which magnetically hold the devices, use a metal ring that gradually wears down. As shoppers repeatedly pick up and return the demo phones, residue from the stand transfers to the iPhone’s back or camera housing. This residue looks like scratches but can be removed with proper cleaning. Also Read: iPhone 17 Pro Teardown Reveals Exciting Details: Vapour Chamber Cooling And “Scratchgate” Issues

Fixes in Apple Stores

To address the complaints, Apple is making changes across its retail outlets. The company has started refitting the MagSafe display stands with silicone rings to prevent direct contact between the metal stand and the iPhone body. In addition, employees are now following a stricter cleaning routine. Staff are using a salt-based solution alongside standard cleaners to better remove residue and keep demo units looking spotless. Also Read: Flipkart Big Billion Days: MacBook Air M2 Price Drops Under Rs 65,000, Check The Deal Here

The question is, why does it matter to Apple? For Apple, the way demo units look in stores really matters. If those phones appear scratched up even when they’re not, it can easily make people think the iPhone 17 isn’t as sturdy as older models. That’s a big deal, especially since many buyers are planning to swap their titanium iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max for the new aluminium design.

The good news is these marks aren’t actual scratches. They’re just residue left behind by the display stands. With softer fittings on the stands and stricter cleaning routines in place, Apple is trying to move past #scratchgate and keep the focus on what the iPhone 17 actually offers, not how it looks under store lights.