iPhone 17 Pro’s Durability Crisis: Scratchgate, Battery Drain, and Design Backlash Rock Apple in 2025

• Why Is the iPhone 17 Pro Being Called a "Scratch Magnet"?
• iOS 26’s Battery Drain: Just How Bad Is It?
• Can Apple Fix These Issues?
• Market Impact and Alternatives
• FAQ: Your iPhone 17 Pro Questions Answered

Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro lineup is facing a perfect storm of criticism in 2025, with users and tech analysts slamming its durability flaws, aggressive iOS 26 battery drain, and polarizing design choices. From scratched demo units to a "hostile" Liquid Glass interface, here’s why even die-hard Apple fans are questioning the company’s direction.

Why Is the iPhone 17 Pro Being Called a "Scratch Magnet"?

Tech influencer Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything fame dropped a bombshell durability test showing how Apple’s anodized aluminum frames fail at sharp edges. "The oxide LAYER peels off like cheap nail polish when keys scrape the camera plateau," Nelson demonstrated, noting Apple prioritized aesthetics over resilience. Bloomberg confirmed demo units in stores showed visible scratches within hours—particularly on deep blue and black models.

Source: JerryRigEverything YouTube channel

iOS 26’s Battery Drain: Just How Bad Is It?

Users report losing 20% battery in under an hour after updating. "My iPhone 17 Pro Max now needs three charges daily," complained a Reddit thread with 12K upvotes. The update’s always-on "Liquid Glass" translucency effect and controversial red night-mode clock (dubbed "demonic" by users) appear to be major culprits. Spiral app founder Daniel Shteremberg tweeted: "This isn’t innovation—it’s user-hostile design."

Can Apple Fix These Issues?

The company acknowledged the camera’s "black square" bug under bright LEDs, promising a patch. However, hardware flaws like scratch-prone edges may force case dependency. Analysts suggest Apple could face class-action lawsuits if battery issues persist—similar to 2017’s iPhone "Batterygate."

Market Impact and Alternatives

With the base model starting at $799 and Pro at $1,099, some buyers are eyeing Samsung’s Galaxy S25 or Google’s Pixel 10. As BTCC’s tech analyst notes: "Apple’s quality control slip-ups create openings for competitors in a stagnant smartphone market."

FAQ: Your iPhone 17 Pro Questions Answered

How widespread are the scratching issues?

Bloomberg observed scratches on 80% of demo units within 48 hours of launch.

Will Apple replace scratched phones?

Current warranty terms exclude "cosmetic damage," but pressure may force policy changes.

Does iOS 26 drain older iPhone batteries too?

Yes, users report 30% faster drain on iPhone 15/16 models post-update.