Around half a year ago, the iPhone 17 Pro launched with a ton of fundamental changes to its internal and external designs. We got a new set of build materials, second-generation Ceramic Shield, a larger battery, improved thermal management, and much more. These modifications have noticeably impacted the iPhone’s durability—both positively and negatively. Having used an iPhone 17 Pro Max without protection since day one, I’m ready to evaluate how this latest flagship holds up compared to its predecessors.
Editor’s note: Even though this testing was done with the iPhone 17 Pro, the conclusions apply to the iPhone 18 Pro, which has the same aluminum body and Ceramic Shield glass.
More chipping, less cracking
While Pro iPhones have always featured the iconic triple-camera layout, their build materials have shifted over the years. The iPhone 11 Pro debuted with a stainless steel frame, a standard that held for the next three models. Although this construction generally didn’t chip, it did attract obvious scuffs and fingerprint smudges. With the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro, Apple switched to a titanium alloy, which made the frame tougher and less prone to scratches. Then the iPhone 17 Pro came along, retiring titanium in favor of aluminum.
Aluminum is weaker than titanium, making the latest iPhone more susceptible to dents if dropped. I haven’t dropped mine to confirm, but it’s basic science. More importantly, the frame now chips easily with regular use—something I’ve never experienced with previous Pro iPhones I’ve owned. Even though I don’t use the Camera Control button, the aluminum around it has become nicked. The sharp, raised edge of the Pro camera system area has similarly chipped, revealing the silver metal beneath the blue finish.
Other design concerns include the small gap between the metal frame and back glass panel, which actively collects dust particles. That’s not to mention that the glass panel itself leaves visible marks when I attach a MagSafe charger, requiring me to rigorously polish it to restore the shine.
Looking at the bigger picture, minimizing the use of glass has made the iPhone’s back more durable. Unlike with previous models, a drop would now chip or bend the aluminum instead of cracking the expensive glass sheet. The iPhone 17 Pro’s aesthetics may not age as gracefully, but it’s certainly a more functional phone now.
