iPhone 11 screen scratches

From the pictures, your phone has heavy scratches on the edges with criss-cross patterns caused by rubbing the phone against something abrasive (perhaps keys or coins in the pocket?) I've seen this on my 6s+ when I dropped it and picked it up across the concrete rather than lifting straight up from the ground.

Also, those scratches appear to continue to the metal sides - definitely not the screen coating micro-scratches that others are seeing here. But, if you have Applecare+ you could get that fixed.

For a good example of what others are seeing - just visit an Apple Store and look at the 11's on display.

And I don't honestly care what you care about or how long you've been on this forum. I was simply trying politely tell you what you're claiming was ridiculous without calling you a something impolite, as I wouldn't want Apple, to get upset with me again.

Unless you're Apple or whomever you think is running this forum, you don't know anything more than I do. You opinion means nothing more than anyone else's. Or maybe you can explain how being here for years, "logically" makes you an authority about who's running this forum. Go ahead, enlighten me....wait, I don't really care.

Your fact is incomplete.

You said it yourself: you never have your iPhone without a screen protector. An outlier to many of us here, who are normal users, who use their iPhones with care without screen stickers.

What you have posted explain nothing about what is happening to our days-old iPhones 11, albeit factually consistent with your experiences and length of time being in this forum.

I also just bought a Midnight Green Iphone 11 pro max. Same thing all previous versions I never used a screen protector and never saw a scratch from a pocket even if keys were in my pocket. However, this one no keys just pocket and I have a tiny but noticeable on a max screen and just paying over a 1,000 dollars for it! "Iphone 11 has the toughest screen in the industry." Doesn't appear that claim lives up to the hype!

Bought a brand new iPhone 11 from the Apple Store today. Was about to put on a screen protector and already noticed a small but concerning micro scratch towards the right. I am very careful with my devices so this is quite crazy. I’m planning on going back tomorrow for another screen protector (the ones I bought didn’t work out well) and am deciding if I should mention it to them.

Same thing here. I waited until I was safely at home to unbox my 11pro Max. It did not go in my pocket and was only face up on tables until the screen protector arrive the next day. Less than 24 hours after unboxing the phone, when I went to apply the screen protector I noticed a scratch.

I’ve had iPhones for the last 8 years and never had a single scratch or crack on a screen. I started using glass screen protectors as a precaution about 3 years ago when the prices of iPhones started to get too high not to but even the “cheap” screen protector glass is more hardwearing than this 11pro screen.

I am just super relieved that the screen protector I have on now covers the scratch and makes it invisible. Phone has been in and out of bags and pockets since and not one single scratch on the screen protector. Dread to think what it’d be like if it wasn’t on there.

Makes me wonder how on earth Apple can describe this as their toughest glass ever?? There is no way they went ahead with this not knowing how easily it scratched. I know better than to think anything will ever be admitted, but hopefully next years model will have more of a “pro” finish on the glass.

loveletteredbybekki wrote:

I am just super relieved that the screen protector I have on now covers the scratch and makes it invisible. Phone has been in and out of bags and pockets since and not one single scratch on the screen protector. Dread to think what it’d be like if it wasn’t on there.

Thankfully the screen protector I have on there now seems to cover it as well. Even though there is a big air bubble, I am keeping that screen protector on until I go to the Apple Store and get a new one installed.

Any piece of glass can break if a device lands right (or perhaps it should be phrased "wrong.")

That's why you:

1) Use a case

2) Purchase AppleCare+

Apple will repair your phone for $29 if you have AppleCare+, or $329 if you do not.

Because it all depends on how it lands.

Even the "toughest glass" will shatter if the phone lands wrong, typically on a corner.

It's basic physics and materials science.

It's no different for even regular glass; I've dropped glass bottles on concrete and some have bounced and rolled away while others have smashed immediately.

This is situation with the easily scratched glass is not making the decision to upgrade even remotely simple.

I ordered a Space Grey iPhone 11 Pro Max and a Silver iPhone 11 Pro Max to replace my iPhone XS Max as well as my wife’s. Both are still in processing and can be cancelled.

We have young kids at home so both iPhone XS Max’s have had cases and screen protector films since they came out of the box and the 11 Pro Max’s would receive the same treatment to avoid any major snafu if one of the kid’s got their hands on it.

But even as someone that would install a screen protector from the get go, I am still concerned given that the sides but more importantly the front facing camera along with the area with all sensors remains uncovered (I know there are full coverage screen protectors but I have not been able to find one that doesn’t lift up at the edges unlike the ones with the cutout at the top) and susceptible to scratches, I would imagine a scratch over the front facing camera would show as a blur in captured images.

Now I find myself reconsidering my purchase and trying to decide wether to cancel before it ships based on potential scratches of the glass covering the front camera and sensors despite planing to have a screen protector on the iPhone with the “toughest glass in any smartphone”

Well that's certainly a decision you're free to make either way.

If you want a better idea, visit your local Apple Store; the iPhones there have no screen protectors or cases, so check to see how scratched up the demo phones are after two weeks.

The problem is that the phones on display at the various Apple stores will never see the inside of a jacket pocket, jeans, bag, etc so it’s not exactly a real world comparison.

I am mainly concerned about scratches on the exposed portion of the screen where the camera and sensors are located that would affect the performance of the true depth camera, front camera, ambient sensor, etc which is something I’ve never worried about before. For what it’s worth my iPhone XS Max with screen protector with cutout has no issues with scratches on the front cutout area but from reading this thread it seems like the glass on the 11’s is especially prone to scratching easily although touted as the “toughest glass on any smartphone” which would imply some level of scratch resistance? I mean when I think tough a screen full of scratches, abrasions and smudges is not the first thing that comes to mind...

A lot depends upon your definitions.

Some here claim they never did anything untoward and found their screens scratched.

However by definition a pocket or purse does contain materials that can scratch or scuff glass.

If you don't believe that, buff your car's paint with denim sometime and look at the scratches left behind.

No, I actually don't believe "toughest glass" means scratch resistance per se, due to an understanding of how glass technology works.

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?