iPhone 17 Pro teardown: anodized aluminum flakes at camera edges

Recent teardowns (notably iFixit) show the iPhone 17 Pro’s case is made from heat‑treated, anodized aluminum. The anodization produces a thin colored oxide layer that resists light scratches on flat surfaces but can flake or ‘spall’ at sharp edges — especially around the camera plateau — exposing bare aluminum beneath. Teardown photos and microscopy point to poor adhesion at these sharp edges and the thinness of the anodic layer as the main causes.

Key findings

• Material: heat‑treated aluminum with anodized color layer.
• Problem: the anodized layer can chip/flake at the sharp camera‑plateau edges, producing visible blemishes.
• Why: edge geometry and thin oxide layer cause poor adhesion and localized “spalling.”
• Other teardown notes: the 17 Pro teardown also highlights changes to the internal cooling — a vapor‑chamber style solution appears to be used to improve thermal performance.
• Source: iFixit teardown — see teardown.

What you can do

• Put the phone in a protective case that covers the camera plateau edges.
• Use a camera lens protector and edge‑guarding case to reduce direct impact on the anodized edges.
• Avoid keeping the phone loose with keys or abrasive objects.
• Consider a microfibre cloth and gentle cleaners for maintenance (do not use harsh abrasives on anodized finishes).

Where to look for accessories

• Cases: Search iPhone 17 Pro cases on Amazon
• Camera protectors: Search camera protectors on Amazon
• Screen protectors: Search screen protectors on Amazon
• Cleaning kits: Search smartphone cleaning kits on Amazon

If you own an iPhone 17 Pro, checked it for this issue, or found a case that reliably prevents edge spalling, please comment below and share photos — that helps other owners decide how to protect their phones.

Note: This post links to the independent teardown by iFixit for details and imagery. No links to RSS sources are included.