Apple iPhone 17 Series Faces Widespread Connectivity and Durability Issues

Apple's newly released iPhone 17 series is experiencing several issues, including intermittent Wi-Fi connectivity problems likely linked to the new Apple-designed N1 chip that handles Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread connectivity. Users report brief Wi-Fi drops that affect critical features like CarPlay, disrupting navigation and communication while driving. Additionally, the iPhone 17 models are facing complaints about durability, specifically the aluminum unibody design making the phones prone to scratches and paint chipping, especially on the Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange, and black variants. This has sparked social media outcry and terms like "#Scratchgate" and "scuffgate," with users showing demonstrable wear on devices even in stores. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman noted that MagSafe wireless chargers can also leave marks on darker-colored phones, exacerbating concerns. Despite these issues, analysts suggest that such problems are typical with new product launches and unlikely to impact Apple's sales significantly, with some calling the scratch concerns "overstated" and praising the iPhone 17 as a "phenomenal" product overall.