Scratched Screen

I've not noticed a scratch on either 2G or 3GS. But I never carry mine in a pocket, only in a belt case designed for small cameras. It seems like the screen, being glass should be hard to scratch, though I'm not sure how the new coating on the 3GS affects that.

Let us know what they say at the Apple Store. It seems likely that some could slip by with scratches, since there have been other defects which were less subtle reported in units here.

Phil

The 3GS screen has an "oleophobic" coating to make finger prints easier to clean. The coating is a polymer and easier to scratch than the glass surface itself. Unless you found the scratch when you unboxed the phone, it's hard to prove when it occurred. I haven't seen any posts about screen scratches found in unused phones. You can always make a Genius Bar appointment and find out what Apple will do

I bought my iPhone 2 weeks ago this coming Monday and after a week, I found a tiny scratch on the screen. It's about half an inch long, shallow and it's at the bottom part of the screen frame and just touches the screen a slight bit. You can't feel it with your finger or finger nail. It's really hard to see, like it's not actually the glass that's scratched (just the oleophobic coating, I suspect), but it's still annoying and it bothers me because I know it's there.

I haven't dropped it, or scratched it. I keep it in my pocket when I'm out on it's own (no keys or coins or anything else) and when I found the scratch, I was using the iSkin Solo FX case.

I was really disappointed when I found the scratch coz it's my first iPhone and I love it to bits. I didn't put a screen protector on it because my iPod touch that I've had for 2 years now never had a screen protector on it and the screen is still perfect. The iPod touch itself has a few scuffs on it from when I dropped it as I was climbing out of my car but the screen is perfect. Anyway, due to my past experience with the scratch resistant screen I didn't think I'd need a screen protector.

Let us know what they say about the scratch at the Apple Store ASAP. =) I'm hoping they replace yours so I can use it as a precedent when making my claim.

Good luck at the genius bar. Hope to hear some good news from you soon.

I was able to get my 3G S swapped out for a new unit because it got scratches even when I had a case (no screen protector on).

I made the case that I had owned both the original iPhone and 3G, and neither had any scratches on the "scratch-free" screen in my years of ownership...

That is why you still need screen protector on iPhone especially 3GS. I never care about the coating as I never allow my phone to get a single scratch.

How to apply screen protector?
Use the following tools:
1. Scotch Tape
2. Micro Fiber Cloth
3 Clean environment.

When you apply, make sure no air bubbles nor dust get trapped in between.
In case if you have dust particle, use the Scotch Tape to carefully pull out the dust. Repeat the process several times then you will be ready to go.

I have the same bad experience!! 2 scratches on my new iphone 3GS when I never had ANY trouble with my two first iphone 2G and 3G...
They did not want to exchange it at the Apple Store... Should I call?

How did those of you who got replacements do it? I have had my phone for 7 days. I looked up whether I needed a protector before I got it and it did not seem like I did. Now I have a small but very distracting scratch near the middle ofthe screen despite always keeping it isolated from sharp hard objects. I'm not good about making waves, and this is my first Apple product, but I feel like a week is an unreasonable period before having to deal with such an issue...

Yeah, I'd like to know how you guys got the phones replaced too. I've had mine for little over a week now but I found my scratch exactly a week after I got it. I actually tried to ignore it which is why I haven't taken any action but I can't seem to get used to seeing it there.

My original iPod touch never had any scratches until a week ago when my girlfriend dropped it on her foot before kicking it along the floor of the London Underground. Nice!

Yeah! That's nice. There's nothing like the floor of the tube station to prove your love for someone.

i ahd the first and 2n gen iPhone. never had a screen protector and never really took very good care of it. never had a scratch on the glass.

but my 3Gs has 6 scratches. Some VERY bad.

I think the new glass they use for smudge proof is not as scratch resistant ...