New Delhi, Sept. 23 -- Just weeks after Apple launched the iPhone 17 series, the Cupertino-based tech giant is facing mounting criticism from customers and technology commentators who say the latest Pro models are unusually prone to scratches. The controversy has quickly gained traction online, with many users dubbing the issue as "Scratchgate."

The concerns focus on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which feature a new anodised aluminium unibody frame. Apple shifted from titanium, used in last year's iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, to aluminium to achieve a lighter design. However, buyers are already reporting that the material, particularly in darker finishes such as Deep Blue, shows scratches within hours of use.

Bloomber...