**‘Scuffgate’ Trends as Users Report Scratches on iPhone 17 Pro**
*By Mudit Dube | September 19, 2025, 6:43 PM*
The launch of Apple’s iPhone 17 in China has encountered unexpected challenges, as users begin reporting scratches and scuffs on the new devices shortly after unboxing. The issue appears to be especially widespread with the Deep Blue Pro variants, which have reportedly exhibited visible marks within hours of being displayed.
This has raised significant concerns over the scratch-resistant finish that Apple had proudly promoted for the iPhone 17 series.
### Online Backlash: ‘Scuffgate’ Goes Viral on Weibo
Photographs showing damaged display models have flooded social media platforms, with China’s Weibo seeing a surge in posts related to the scratches. The hashtag associated with these complaints has amassed over 40 million views as of Friday afternoon.
In addition to the Deep Blue Pro, the black iPhone Air has also shown signs of vulnerability to scratches, according to reports from Bloomberg.
Despite the growing outcry, Apple has yet to officially address the issue.
### A History of Launch Day Problems
Apple has faced similar setbacks during previous product launches. For example:
– The iPhone 7’s glossy black finish was criticized for being easily scuffed.
– The super-thin iPhone 6 faced serious bending issues.
– The iPhone 4 gained notoriety for its wireless antenna problem that disrupted signal when held a certain way.
These past experiences highlight challenges Apple occasionally encounters when innovating new designs.
### Impact on Sales and Market Reception
Early sales data indicates strong demand for the iPhone 17 Pro models, suggesting that the ‘Scuffgate’ controversy has yet to significantly impact consumer interest.
Apple had high hopes for the iPhone 17 to sustain its sales momentum, especially given the hurdles faced in integrating advanced AI features into its devices.
Notably, at Apple’s flagship store in Hong Kong, only the new iPhone Air was available for walk-in customers, while the Pro models appeared to be in high demand through other channels.
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As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on how Apple responds to these concerns and whether the ‘Scuffgate’ issue affects the long-term reputation of the iPhone 17 lineup.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/apple-iphone-17-pro-faces-scratch-complaints-from-early-users/story
