iPhone 11 screen scratches

I NEVER would consider putting my very expensive iPhone in a pocket without a screen protector on it. I actually wouldn't put my phone in a pocket even WITH a screen protector.

I do. Many of us here have put our iPhones in the pocket without any screen protector on it. I can't speak for everyone, but I never felt the need to write about my new iPhone being scratched in the past. It is different with the 11 Pro. A permanent smudge that appears within a day prompted it.

Your hypothesis is sound. And my past experiences have proven that the iPhones have some of the toughest display surface on the market, since the screens of my past iPhones usually looked like new even after a few years. The phone body on the other hand, are covered with fine scratches produced by the micro dust nested between the phone case.

I had a talk with apple for 3 days.

they decided to exchange the device inside the apple store without no further questions asked.

they gave me a white box, with the iphone sealed in.

no official iphone box. just brand new anyway.

no scratches & slapped a screenguard in without doubts!

i hope everyone gets his issue sorted out.

Best Regards, Radical.

I have had almost every iPhone since the first one and never had this problem, until now. I keep my phone in my right front pocket, free of coins, keys, wallet, etc. Three days after purchasing the phone a 1" scratch appeared out of nowhere on the screen. Very light, but noticeable. So frustrating. I find it hard to believe Apple is denying there is an issue, as there clearly is one. I had my X for 18 months without even a millimeter of scratch, and this one goes under after 72 hours 🤯

I think you meant to include this link for the Note 10+: https://youtu.be/HF8jNIO-h9M

The included cheap plastic protectors on the Samsung's are a joke and hardly worth being put there to begin with.

The same thing happened to me. Just in my pocket, no keys nor anything, and it got a weird smear that looks like a fingerprint, but won’t wipe off.

I’ve installed an el cheapo temperate glass screen protector, and I can’t see the scratch/smear anymore - but I’ll keep an eye out for this.

I noticed today scratches on the face of my 11pro max...... its sooooo sad. I keep it in my pocket no keys no change, makes no sense. my previous phone, the six plus s had a couple faint ones and that was 4 years old. I've only had the max pro a few weeks. Very unhappy about it!

@rbrylawski

I have read many of your posts in this thread, you really got your facts wrong.

1. Like many have said here, iphone screens have gone softer and softer over the years in each new realease. Older Iphone screens were much more durable. And oh please stop saying it is more shatter proof so it is good. Firstly there is no definitive evidence that it is more shatter proof than previous and other glasses. Secondly it is questionable that we really need to make this sacrifice, many of us still got old iphones that are intact and scratch free, meanwhile newer iphone screens are getting ruined by scratches so fast before even getting dropped once! It is not even a valid trade-off.
2. Iphones glass are custom made for apple, they are not standard Gorilla Glass. Gorilla Glass is much much more scratch resistant. And YES! Compared to the level of softness of the newer iphone screens, Samsung phones really don't scratch. I've had a samsung note 9 for a year, didn't really like it and definitely did not baby it at all, it got tossed around all the time and the screen do not have any scratch. Why? Because it is a different glass!
3. Screen protectors aren't a solution. They are just a distraction to the real problem. In fact I think it is stupid to put on another piece of glass on your $1k phone. They ruin the excellent design and feeling in the hand, which you paid for with your $1k.

[Edited by Moderator]

I understand that jacket pockets, jeans, bags, etc do contain abrasive particles like sand, dirt, fibers, etc. but it’s kind off impossible to avoid exposing the portions not covered by screen protectors to those elements in day to day use and I am just concerned about damage to the glass covering the camera and sensors under “normal” conditions (of course if I put the phone in my swim trunks pocket at the beach it will unavoidably scratch just as would the screen protector and case). This has never been an issue on my current iPhone XS Max as well as previous generation iPhone’s but it seems like the glass on the new 11 lineup is more prone to scratching although more impact resistant. Keep in mind Apple is claiming the “toughest glass in any smartphone” which does imply some abrasion resistance otherwise it would be “strongest” or “impact resistant” glass.

I am not going to argue Apple’s choice of marketing terminology because they have a whole team dedicated to just that with way more knowledge of the issue than me, all I am saying is that for a new iPhone marketed with “toughest glass” I find myself worrying more than on previous generations about scratches on exposed surfaces not covered by screen protection that could cause malfunctions under non-abusive normal day to day wear and tear.

By definition:

tough /təf/ adjective

superlative adjective: toughest

(of a substance or object) strong enough to withstand adverse conditions or rough or careless handling.

I would think dust and micro abrasive particles inside a pocket would be covered under “adverse conditions or rough or careless handling”

I also already have a scratch on my screen of my iPhone 11. I’ve had it for a month and it’s sad to see it has a scratch. I’ve had iPhones before that this never happened. I know I didn’t do anything to scratch. You can feel with your finger how deep it is in the screen. Will something be done about this or will Apple just keep saying we all did this damage to our phone?

I have the same issue and it’s only been exposed to cloth pockets or cloth / soft surfaces. I just upgraded from the 7+ to the iPhone 11 Max Pro and I’m super disappointed. I hope Apple Care covers this obvious defect. Does anyone know? Going to Apple story tomorrow

Why don't you trust the people's explanation of their unusual experiences and instead attempt justify the odd scratches with misinformation. They know it is not like their other phones, stop blaming the user and look and why the phones are different and what Apple isn't telling us about the display.

********, I am sorry. These people are posting about unusual experiences. We've had iphones for 10+ years, people aren't suddenly becoming careless and clumsy. Stop blaming the user and look to Apple: what is different about this display? Can't you see that this is not normal?

Because they're not unusual. Saying so doesn't make it true. Literally every release has had the same complaints. "Why do people keep arguing for screen protectors?" Because it's common sense that when you have a device with a glass front you'd need to protect it. I had my screen protector and case a week before the iPhone was shipping. Not a single scratch. See how that works?

Indeed or it could have been scratched prior to them putting it on. It’s not noticeable as I type. I only noticed it this evening. You can see it’s not cracked.

However, it not acceptable. I do know the guy who put on the protector in store was excellent. He wasn’t happy with his first attempt and did it a second time.

Im not taking the protector off, they can do that when I go to the store.

Regardless I’m hardly delighted. Reading this forum I won’t be upgrading to the pro.

Wow this discussion is really getting hot!

As previously stated my Iphone is one week old. I do have several light scratches... maybe from dust or sand.

I don't know... I also have 3 tiny deeper scratches though, than can easily be felt with the fingernail... so this concerns me quite a bit... because now these scratches/marks might get bigger.... so I think people have the right to be upset about this.

I used this Iphone in no way different than my previous ones.... and... come on... after 1 week????

Probably you are right... all smartphones are made of glass and can be scratched.... but Apple made a huge mistake here and is now simply suffering the consequences... They said (quote) 'the toughest glass ever in a smartphone'!!

So and now people simply figured out thats not true. Also they videos how they promoted it: cat scratching it over the corner of a glasstable and the Iphone falling into the handbag jumping around between keys and lipstick.....

The brand simply did not live up to their promise!