The iPhone 17 generation has been a massive success for Apple since the very first moment pre-orders opened. It didn’t stop with the Pro models; the base iPhone 17 also achieved unexpected sales that far exceeded the figures of its predecessor. During the first quarter of 2026, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max sat on the throne as the world’s best-selling phones, to the point that Tim Cook himself described the demand in statements to Reuters as “absolutely stunning” and out of control. However, as we all know in the tech world, no phone is perfect, even if it bears the bitten apple logo!
Despite this legendary commercial success, users have faced a set of obstacles and problems that have marred this premium experience. From the scratching crises that appeared immediately after sales launched, through performance and battery issues, to strange design flaws in some models like the new iPhone Air. Let’s take a closer look at the 5 biggest problems that are still frustrating iPhone 17 users to this day.
The “Scratchgate” Crisis and Suspicious Color Changes
When the iPhone 17 launched in September 2025, social media was buzzing with videos showing how easily the back glass of the iPhone 17 Pro phones could be scratched, which was quickly dubbed “Scratchgate.” Apple was quick to clarify, noting that these scratches were merely residue from materials transferred from metal MagSafe stands in stores to the phone, and that they could be wiped off easily. However, that was not the only problem with the back chassis.
Many users who purchased the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models in Cosmic Orange—which gained massive popularity, especially in Asian markets—noticed a stranger problem; the anodized aluminum frame began to gradually turn from orange to pink! Despite speculation that the cause was constant exposure to ultraviolet rays or the use of chemical cleaners, there is no actual solution to this problem for devices already sold.
Aluminum and Its Susceptibility to Dents and Scratches
In a move that surprised everyone, Apple abandoned titanium in the Pro models and replaced it with aluminum, with a complete redesign of the chassis so that the metal extends to cover the entire rear camera module for better protection of the now-smaller back glass. Although drop tests proved the efficiency of the front glass supported by the second-generation Ceramic Shield, the real problem lies in the aluminum metal itself.
Aluminum is a soft metal compared to titanium or steel, so any drop of the phone—even with a protective case—can lead to visible dents and deep scratches in the corners and the camera bump. These cosmetic damages not only affect the phone’s elegant appearance but also directly reduce its value when trying to resell or trade it in the future, which has caused great frustration for users who paid huge sums for these professional phones.
Strange Battery and Charging Issues
It is normal for iPhone users to experience increased battery consumption and a slight rise in temperature after upgrading to a new system or setting up the phone for the first time due to background indexing processes. But iPhone 17 users have faced completely unfamiliar and highly annoying charging problems.
The first problem was the speaker emitting a buzzing or whistling sound when using the phone while it was charging via cable, which disappears as soon as the charger is disconnected but prevents the user from enjoying videos or games while charging. The more frightening problem is that if the phone’s battery runs out completely and reaches 0%, the phone refuses to charge via the standard cable! The only solution to save it and bring it back to life is to place it on a wireless charger (like MagSafe), which puts those who do not have a wireless charger in a real predicament that requires an immediate search for a charger to save their dead phone.
Sluggishness and Glitches in the iOS 26 Experience
Despite the iPhone 17 phones having the latest and most powerful processing chips on the market, the iOS 26 experience was not as smooth as expected. A segment of users complained about noticeable sluggishness and glitches in animations and switching between apps, as well as slow camera response at times and the phone overheating excessively when using 5G networks or during fast charging.
Apple has worked hard to send minor updates to fix cellular and Bluetooth connectivity issues, CarPlay disconnections, and to enable Apple Intelligence features. Leaks indicate that the upcoming iOS 27 will focus primarily on stability and performance improvements to resolve these problems once and for all. In the meantime, experts recommend performing a clean install of the system instead of restoring an old backup full of cumulative software bugs.
iPhone Air: The Sacrifices That Ruined the Charming Idea
Apple put a lot of effort into delivering the iPhone Air with an ultra-thin design and a large screen, but this revolutionary design came at the cost of harsh sacrifices that shocked users. The phone comes with a smaller battery, supports only eSIM, contains a single speaker instead of the usual two, and worst of all, it contains only one rear camera!
These compromises made it difficult to justify its price, which starts at $999, especially when compared to the base iPhone 17, which sells for $799 and offers a complete experience that approaches the Pro models. As a result, the iPhone Air did not see high demand and was always available in stores, unlike the rest of its family members that sold out repeatedly. It seems Apple has learned its lesson, as rumors indicate its intention to launch a second generation of the iPhone Air with two rear cameras, but we will have to wait until 2027 to see it.
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