Key Takeaways
1. JerryRigEverything’s latest durability test criticized Apple’s design choices for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, particularly regarding scratch issues.
2. The anodisation process creates a protective oxide layer on the aluminum body, but it is ineffective on sharp edges, leading to vulnerability to scratches.
3. Apple did not round the edges of the camera area for aesthetic reasons, which compromises scratch resistance compared to the rest of the device.
4. Common items like keys and coins can easily damage the protective layer on the camera edges, unlike the rest of the phone which might only require wiping to remove scratches.
5. The new Ceramic Shield 2 display glass shows visible scratches at Mohs level 8, indicating an improvement in durability compared to older iPhone models.
The latest durability assessment on JerryRigEverything’s YouTube channel has been somewhat atypical. The host, Zack Nelson, known as JerryRigEverything, used a crane scale to test the iPhone Air and didn’t hold back in his critique of Apple regarding the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, which were examined in Orange and Blue, respectively. Zack pointed out that the many claims about scratched iPhones are valid and stem from issues that could have been avoided, implying that Apple is solely responsible for the situation dubbed “Scratchgate.”
Explanation of the Issue
JerryRigEverything provided a reasonable theory for this problem: During the anodisation process, the aluminium unibody of the phone gets a hard oxide layer, which is meant to shield the metal underneath from damage due to the environment. Even though this layer is rated at 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, it cannot be applied to sharp edges. Following the required DIN standard, Apple should have slightly rounded the edges of the camera area to enhance scratch resistance, akin to the rest of the device. However, it seems the company chose not to do this for aesthetic reasons.
Consequences of Design Choices
This choice has significant effects on the look of the large camera module. JRE effectively illustrated this using a microscope, showing that common items like keys and coins can easily scrape away the thin protective layer on the edges. While scratch residues from other objects can be wiped off the rest of the iPhone, the edges of the camera plateau are different; the delicate oxide layer actually comes off if the phone is not safeguarded by a case from the start.
The durability test provides some confirmation of the many reports about scratched iPhone 17 demo units. Still, it’s worth noting that some scratches on the display glass or flat aluminium surfaces might be removable with a simple wipe, which has been seen in earlier iPhone models. The remaining parts of the durability test did not highlight any other serious issues: The new Ceramic Shield 2 display glass began to show visible scratches at Mohs level 8 (similar to the iPhone Air), indicating a clear improvement compared to older iPhone versions.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply