Apple Responds to iPhone 17 ‘Scratchgate’: New In-Store Cleaning and MagSafe Stand Adjustments
Ddos 
In response to recent concerns over scratches observed on iPhone 17 Pro display units, Apple, after clarifying that most marks were in fact impressions left by MagSafe charging stands, has quietly introduced adjustments across its retail stores.
According to a report by 9to5Mac, Apple has instructed its retail outlets to replace worn MagSafe charging stands and, in certain new locations, to adopt an improved design. For example, at the newly opened Ginza flagship store in Tokyo, the charging stands’ metal edges have been fitted with silicone rings to minimize direct friction between the phone and the stand, thereby reducing the likelihood of visible marks resembling scratches.
For devices that have already accumulated such impressions, simply replacing the charging stands has not proven sufficient. Apple has therefore directed Apple Store staff to revise daily cleaning protocols, using a special solution composed of a cleaning agent mixed with a saline compound to regularly treat the backs of display devices and diminish residual traces.
While Apple has not disclosed the exact formula of this cleaning solution, some media experiments suggest that a simple mixture of water and sea salt can indeed be effective in removing these marks.
It is worth noting that this issue is not exclusive to the iPhone 17 series; similar cases were observed with iPhone 16 display units, also attributed to MagSafe charging stands. For everyday consumers, however, such marks are highly unlikely to occur under normal use, and therefore need not be a major concern.
Nonetheless, since the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup, scrutiny of its redesigned glass back and updated camera module has been particularly keen, with debates centering on whether the new design successfully balances aesthetics and practicality. Apple’s swift response and prompt adjustments to its in-store display practices underscore its commitment to user experience and the safeguarding of its brand reputation.
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