iPhone 17 Pro Teardown: Key Durability and Repair Insights from iFixit

AI-generated, human-reviewed.

Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup brings some striking design changes, but does thinner and lighter mean better? On Tech News Weekly, Liz Chamberlain from iFixit joined Mikah Sargent to break down what Apple got right—and wrong—with the iPhone 17 Pro's materials, battery design, and the much-discussed “scratchgate.” Key findings include why the phone’s camera plateau is so prone to flaking and how a new screw-in battery could make DIY repairs easier than ever.

Why Is the iPhone 17 Pro Scratching So Easily?

The iPhone 17 Pro—and Pro Max—feature a switch from titanium to aluminum, with the aluminum given an anodized (electrochemically treated) coating meant to increase corrosion resistance. However, iFixit’s teardown, with help from materials scientist David Niebuhr, revealed that this anodizing scratches and flakes away far more easily on the sharp edges of the camera plateau. This weak point isn’t random—when anodizing is applied to sharp edges, it’s only supported by other thin anodized layers, making it susceptible to chipping (a process called “spalling”).

According to Chamberlain, Apple could have mitigated this by designing the camera bump edges to be smoother, reducing the risk of the flaking and visible wear many users are already seeing only months after purchase.

How Has Apple Changed iPhone Repairability?

One of the most actionable surprises from the teardown: the iPhone 17 Pro uses a screwed-in battery instead of the usual adhesive strips. This means that with just a screwdriver, users—or independent repair technicians—can remove and replace the battery more easily, skipping the tricky and often messy process of dissolving glue with chemicals or heat.

This battery change, combined with Apple’s recent moves to publish repair manuals and promise parts availability for newer phones, signals a real shift toward more repair-friendly device design. It’s a notable improvement for users frustrated by the glued-together construction that previously made even simple battery swaps daunting.

3D Printing and Apple’s New Manufacturing Moves

iFixit’s investigation also found that Apple appears to be using 3D printed metal parts for the USB-C port housing in the iPhone Air. While the precise method is still being examined, experts believe this move may help Apple respond to global supply chains, especially with titanium becoming harder and more expensive to source due to geopolitical issues.

Are Thinner iPhones Actually Easier to Fix?

Despite rumors that the ultra-thin iPhone Air would be a nightmare for repairs, iFixit reports that the Air gets the same strong preliminary repairability score (7/10) as the Pro model. Thanks to clever use of space and dual-entry design (opening from either the front or back), most major components can be replaced without peeling off the display. Both phones now separate key parts so fixes don’t require an all-or-nothing teardown.

Are Apple’s New Tech Woven Cases Really Better?

Beyond the phones, Chamberlain’s team took a microscope to Apple’s new Tech Woven cases—meant to replace the poorly reviewed Fine Woven cases. The latest material stands up much better to stains and minor abuse, thanks to a thicker fiber and resin coating; however, once the outer layer is breached (for example, by a knife or key), spill resistance quickly drops. Edges also remain vulnerable, so cosmetic damage is still a risk.

Key Takeaways

• The iPhone 17 Pro’s “scratchgate” issue is real—sharp camera edges make anodized aluminum flake.
• Screwed-in batteries mark a major step forward for home and third-party repairs.
• Apple is experimenting with 3D printed metal components, likely for supply chain flexibility.
• The thinnest iPhones are still quite repairable, bucking fears that sleek means fragile.
• Tech Woven cases are stain-resistant—unless scratched or at exposed edges.
• Repair manuals and parts for the iPhone 17 are available day one—another win for repair advocates.

The Bottom Line

According to Liz Chamberlain on this week's Tech News Weekly, Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup delivers both wins and head-scratchers for consumers. While “scratchgate” highlights real design flaws, the improved screw-in battery and focus on modularity signal a better future for anyone who wants their phone to last—or to repair it themselves.

Want to learn even more? Listen to the full conversation on Tech News Weekly’s latest episode:
https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly/episodes/406