Apple is swapping in MagSafe chargers with a silicone ring for iPhone 17 units to stop scuffs after scratchgate, while Ceramic Shield 2 covers the rear glass.
© Apple
Apple has begun using new MagSafe chargers with a silicone ring for demo iPhone 17 units in Apple Stores. The tweak follows the so-called scratchgate episode, when visitors noticed scuffs on the backs of the new models and on the iPhone Air right on the display tables. The company found the blemishes were caused by older MagSafe chargers that left marks during prolonged contact with the phone’s body.
Apple has now swapped part of the in-store hardware: the updated chargers carry an external silicone ring that acts as a buffer between the accessory’s aluminum shell and the glass back of the phone. The company’s view is that these are deposits rather than scratches and that they wipe off with a simple cleaning, yet for display devices that endure constant use this extra layer proved necessary. The move reads as a practical fix that addresses the problem without overcomplicating it.
Notably, the issue touched not only the fresh iPhone 17 line but also the previous iPhone 16, though the newest models naturally drew most of the attention. It remains unclear whether the silicone ring is a temporary step ahead of chargers made from other materials. For everyday users there have been no similar complaints so far; at home, MagSafe accessories generally don’t leave traces. That tracks with the reality that showroom units face far harsher, uninterrupted contact than personal phones.
At the same time, the iPhone 17 family itself is sturdier than before: for the first time, Ceramic Shield 2 covers not only the display but also the rear panel, adding another layer of protection against scratches. On paper, that should help curb cosmetic wear in day-to-day use.