Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) latest iPhone 17 series is facing early criticism in China, where buyers have taken to social media to complain that the devices are easily scratched.
On Friday, numerous shoppers posted images online showing visible marks on the back of their new iPhones, in some cases just hours after purchase. Reports from Apple stores in Shanghai and Hong Kong indicated that the deep blue versions of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max were especially vulnerable, with display units already showing scuffs and scratches.
The issue doesn’t appear to be limited to the Pro line. The black iPhone Air has also been flagged by customers for similar durability concerns. On China’s Weibo platform, photos of scratched demo models quickly went viral, with a related hashtag climbing into the site’s list of most-searched topics, racking up over 40 million views by Friday afternoon.
It is not yet known whether the scratching problem is specific to Chinese markets or if it has affected buyers elsewhere. China was among the first countries to receive the iPhone 17 following its global launch.
The iPhone 17 represents Apple’s first major design overhaul in several years, featuring an aluminum casing that the company had promoted as being more resistant to wear and tear — a claim now being questioned by early owners.
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