A CNET tester used the iPhone 17 Pro Max without a case for about 11 months and found it held up remarkably well: only minor scratches and some color chipping on the edges, no screen damage, and overall durability aided by Ceramic Shield 2—outperforming the iPhone 16 Pro in wear without a case.
Kate Douglass, after a 51.0 split on the mixed medley relay, scratched the 100 free prelims at the Pan Pacific Championships to concentrate on the 100 breaststroke. She may still swim on a relay if needed, but no evening 4x100 free is planned. Claire Curzan also skipped the 100 free to focus on the 50 back. Day 2 features several notable scratches (Michael Andrew, Mary-Sophie Harvey, Luca Urlando, Gabriel Jett, Finlay Knox, Alex Walsh) and a lineup of events to watch, including Summer McIntosh in the 400 IM and Gretchen Walsh in the 100 free.
Live updates from Churchill Downs show a wide-open 2026 Kentucky Derby with no single favorite. Renegade leads the morning line at 4-1, but the field features top contenders such as Emerging Market (Chad Brown), Pavlovian (Doug O’Neill), Potente and Litmus Test (Bob Baffert), Danon Bourbon, Chief Wallabee and Ocelli, with The Puma scratched due to a skin infection. Crude Velocity’s strong Derby-day prep adds intrigue for Baffert’s stable, while Pavlovian, Potente, Litmus Test, and Emerging Market loom as major players. Post time is 6:57 p.m. EDT, with clear skies forecast and a fast track; the article also covers training notes, odds shifts, and race-night stakes leading into the Run for the Roses.
The Puma was scratched from the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Derby morning due to swelling in his leg from a skin infection, leaving 19 horses in the Run for the Roses. The colt is 1-2-1 in four starts with $442,280 earned, including a second in the Florida Derby. Trainer Gustavo Delgado said the swelling should subside with antibiotics, and The Puma is expected to skip the Preakness as he recovers at Churchill Downs. Scratches earlier for the Derby include Right to Party, Silent Tactic, Fulleffort and Corona de Oro.
Apple is using new MagSafe chargers with silicone rings in its stores to prevent scratches on demo units of the iPhone 17, addressing previous material transfer issues caused by older chargers, and the new phones feature enhanced durability with Ceramic Shield glass.
After the release of the iPhone 17 Pro, scratches on demo units became a concern, with Apple advising store employees to clean the phones with a salt solution to remove marks, which are actually material transfer from worn MagSafe stands. Using a case is recommended to prevent surface damage, and while salt water can temporarily hide scratches, it may corrode aluminum if used repeatedly.
Apple addressed concerns about the durability of the iPhone 17 Pro, clarifying that marks on demo units are caused by worn MagSafe stands and are removable, and that the camera plateau edges are similar to other Apple products and may show normal wear over time. Overall, the iPhone 17 Pro lineup has demonstrated strong durability, with improvements in scratch resistance and thermal performance, despite some minor vulnerabilities at the camera edges.
iFixit investigated reports of scratches on the iPhone 17 Pro's camera area, attributing the damage to sharp edges on the anodized aluminum bump that could have been mitigated with a more gradual curve, and noted that the design makes the camera plateau prone to damage without a case. They also praised the battery repairability but criticized the need to remove the screen for most repairs.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are prone to scratches and scuffs, especially around the camera bump's sharp edges, due to the anodized aluminum layer's weakness and design choices that favor aesthetics over durability, prompting recommendations for protective cases.
Some iPhone 17 models, particularly the Pro in Deep Blue and Air in Space Black, are prone to visible scratches and scuffs, especially on the back camera housing, due to the switch from titanium to aluminum chassis. These scratches are cosmetic and do not impact functionality, and many users may avoid the issue by using cases.
Some darker colors of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air, specifically Deep Blue and Space Black, are reportedly scratching easily, raising concerns about durability and the impact of new materials and accessories. Apple is also facing launch issues with trade-in features and camera glitches, but these are expected to be resolved in future updates.
Despite early complaints about the iPhone 17's aluminum back scratching easily, Wall Street analysts believe the issue won't significantly impact sales, citing the phone's innovative features and potential for quick correction if needed.
Early users and tech enthusiasts are already testing the durability of the new iPhone 17 series, with reports of scratches on the aluminum body and videos of phones being deliberately broken or stress-tested, highlighting concerns about the device's build quality and durability.
Early reports from China indicate that the new iPhone 17 Pro in Blue and iPhone Air in Black are prone to scratches and scuffs within hours of use, raising concerns about the durability of Apple's latest models despite marketing claims of a tougher, scratch-resistant finish. The issue appears widespread, especially on the Blue iPhone 17 Pro and the ultra-thin iPhone Air, and has sparked social media discussions, particularly in China, where the models are highly popular. Apple has not yet commented on the problem, but the lack of a black color option may be related to these durability concerns.
The new iPhone 17 Pro's aluminum body, especially in darker colors like Deep Blue, is more prone to visible scuffs and scratches compared to previous titanium and glass models, making it advisable to use a case for protection.