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I remember watching the iPhone 17 keynote last year in the ZDNET office, preparing a new entry for our live blog as Apple rolled the iPhone 17 Pro introduction video. It was at that moment, as I watched the sizzle reel of an iPhone 17 Pro swinging through metal keys, gravel, and shards of glass, that I couldn’t help smirk in disbelief.
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Beside my laptop was my iPhone 15 Pro Max, a device that, after nearly two years of use, had aged quite poorly. The frame in the Blue Titanium finish was noticeably discolored, the PVD coating around the cameras was scuffed, and the front glass had deep scratches that even a screen protector couldn’t hide.
If Apple’s marketing claims about the iPhone 17 Pro’s then-new unibody aluminum design were even slightly true, then the device would already be much more promising. So I traded in my Pro Max, challenged myself to use the new phone without a case, and see exactly how it would fare after a year of use.
What the iPhone 17 Pro was up against
At the time, I made the conscious decision to buy the smaller iPhone 17 Pro instead of the Pro Max. If I were to commit to a case-less lifestyle, I’d rather use a phone that would sit comfortably in my hand, with all four corners of the screen reachable with my thumb. In New York, your other hand is either holding a cup of coffee, a slice of pizza, or the subway pole, so the ergonomics of my phone matter a lot.
Kerry Wan/ZDNETMy big learning with the iPhone 15 Pro Max was to not buy the darker blue or black finishes, as the inevitable scratches and scuffs from keys, pocket lint, and other surprisingly hard materials revealed the raw titanium finish underneath the paint. This time, I opted for the Cosmic Orange, hoping the vibrant color would hide scratches and fingerprint smudges better.
Over the past year, the iPhone’s been through jean pockets, sling bags, and backpacks, and has even taken numerous tumbles onto carpeting, hardwood floors, and cement. Here’s an overview of its cosmetic condition after all of that.
How my iPhone 17 Pro looks after a year of usage
First, the front display has a noticeable amount of scratches; they’re deep enough that putting on a screen protector or turning on the phone can’t effectively “hide” them, but they’re also not bad enough to be considered cracks.
This aspect surprises me the least, as I tend to put my phone face down when I’m trying to stay focused on work or a conversation.
Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe bottom corners of the phone screen also have scuff marks that appear to be caused by frequent rubbing. This is likely the oleophobic coating, an oil-repelling layer meant to reduce fingerprint smudges and grease, which is wearing off from the phone pressing against my palm whenever I’m swiping, pressing, or reaching around the screen.
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Notably, the oleophobic coating on the rest of the phone is still present, retaining the inky black appearance that the display had when I first bought it. That’s to say, even if you choose to use your phone without a case, putting on a screen protector is still a very, very good idea.
During the few times I dropped the iPhone, whether it slipped out of my hand onto the sidewalk or slid off a coffee table, the corners were often dented. Still, the Ceramic Shield 2 display remained crack-free, which is encouraging.
Kerry Wan/ZDNETSurprisingly, the back cover of my iPhone may be the least damaged part, with the edges of the camera bump taking the brunt. As on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, some of the paint coating has chipped away, revealing the raw metal beneath.
This is less apparent on the new central glass cutout, which looks as good as new. The rest of the unibody material, at least from the back, looks great as well, with all the buttons and ports still fairly flawless.
A word about going caseless
From having tested hundreds of phones built with various materials, and even working as a service repair technician back in college, I find there’s usually only one reason you should use your phone without a case: if it’s covered by insurance.
If you’re backing your phone with Apple Care or any other form of hardware repair/replacement insurance, then sure, enjoy that sleek-looking device in its most natural form, so long as you have the patience to sit through the servicing process.
Otherwise, nine times out of 10, you should absolutely protect your phone with a case — even if it’s an ultra-thin sheet of plastic that shields the backing from scratches.
Battery life has been a big surprise
Kerry Wan/ZDNETAfter almost a year of usage, my iPhone 17 Pro currently sits at 96% battery capacity, which I would say is better than average. On a daily basis, I try to keep my phone between 20% and 80% battery, so as to never fully drain or overcharge it.
Generally speaking, the iPhone 17 Pro’s battery life has actually gotten better over time, even after I updated it to the iOS 27 public beta.
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Perhaps I can chalk it up to the more aggressive AI performance throttling or even reduced animations with Liquid Glass, but this is one of the first beta software programs that I’ve used that hasn’t taken a noticeable toll on the iPhone’s endurance. Your mileage may vary.
The iPhone 18 series could set a new endurance standard
Going into Apple’s September iPhone event next week, there’s a big opportunity for the Cupertino giant to capitalize on its existing durability practices and introduce an iPhone that lasts longer, both in hardware strength and battery life.
According to Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature a battery between the range of 5,000 to 5,200mAh this year, depending on whether it has a physical SIM card slot (as required by some countries). For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has an estimated capacity of 4,823mAh.
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Should Apple feel adventurous, it can even use silicon-carbon technology to fit a denser (but still thin) battery into the iPhone, putting it in a similar tier as the latest Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and Motorola Razr phones. This would make the most sense for the rumored foldable iPhone, as the unique form factor has less space to fit components in. Here’s to hoping.
