SHANGHAI – The excitement that gripped cities around the globe, from Hong Kong to London to New York, on September 19 turned sour for some eager iPhone 17 buyers. Long queues formed as tech enthusiasts clamored for Apple’s latest smartphone, only to discover blemishes on display models.

Reports have surfaced that the stunning deep blue variants of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max were already showing scuffs and scratches shortly after their debut in stores, raising eyebrows among consumers. Meanwhile, the black iPhone Air has also been flagged for its scratch-prone surface.

With this being Apple's first major hardware redesign in several years—featuring a return to an aluminum shell and a claimed scratch-resistant finish—the problem came as a surprise. Despite these enhancements, it appears that the material used may not live up to expectations.

In China, where the launch was met with immediate fervor, social media was ablaze with images of scratched devices, quickly turning the hashtag into a top trending topic on Weibo with over 40 million views. Buyers were quick to voice their disappointment, questioning the quality of a device they’ve invested in.

Aluminum, while aesthetically pleasing, is notoriously susceptible to scratches, especially on darker finishes. History seems to be repeating itself for Apple, as previous models like the iPhone 5 also faced similar complaints regarding their black and slate variants. The deep blue Pro, being the darkest option available for the new lineup, appears to be particularly vulnerable to visible blemishes.

Apple has experienced launch-day obstacles in the past; from the iPhone 7’s glossy black finish attracting scratches to the infamous bending issues of the slim iPhone 6, this latest setback puts a damper on what was anticipated to be a successful launch.

Despite the criticism, early sales across Asia indicated a strong interest, especially for the Pro models. However, shoppers in places like Hong Kong found that stock was limited, forcing them to consider online orders. The wait times for delivery have extended to approximately three weeks for most models, with some, like the Pro Max, experiencing delays of up to four weeks.

In South Korea, however, eager customers can snag the iPhone 17 Pro fairly quickly, though the Pro Max remains unavailable until late October.

As Apple strives to maintain its momentum amidst challenges, the backlash over quality control could complicate their efforts to recover. The stakes are high for the iPhone 17 lineup to meet consumer expectations and the company’s ambitious plans.