IPhone 17 Pro Faces Scratch Complaints in China Within Hours of Launch

Shortly after the launch of Apple's iPhone 17 lineup in China and Hong Kong, multiple reports and social media posts highlighted scratches and scuffs on the back panels of display units, particularly on the deep blue iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models. These findings were confirmed by Bloomberg reporters who visited Apple stores and noted that even the black iPhone Air showed similar damage, sparking concerns about the durability of the new aluminum shell design, a material Apple returned to after several years. The issue quickly trended on China's Weibo platform, accumulating over 40 million views, and has evoked comparisons to past Apple product durability problems, such as the iPhone 7's scuff-prone glossy finish and the bending issues of the iPhone 6. Despite Apple's claims of a second-generation Ceramic Shield offering enhanced scratch resistance, users and reviewers have demonstrated vulnerability to scratches and damage soon after handling. Apple has not yet responded to these complaints, leaving uncertainty over whether the problem is isolated to demo units or affects all new devices. Early sales data still indicate strong demand for the new Pro models across Asia, though the social media backlash threatens to overshadow what was expected to be a successful launch amid the company's ongoing challenges with AI feature rollouts.