Is iPhone 15 screen more scratch-resistant?

My second-generation iPhone SE went years without scratching the screen. My iPhone 14 pro was covered in scratches within a month. It's so bad that I am considering trading up to an iPhone 15 Pro just to solve the screen problem. Does anybody know if the screen on the iPhone 15 is different?

iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 17

Posted on Sep 22, 2023 1:59 AM

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22 replies

Sep 26, 2023 7:00 PM in response to Nospam Nospam

My understanding is the glass formula used on the 15 Pro is the same glass as was used on the 14 Pro. Ceramic Shield is sort of a misnomer. It honestly doesn't mean the glass can't be scratched. It is much harder to break. There's a tradeoff in making glass which is harder to scratch or glass which is harder to break. No one has yet figured out how to make glass equally hard to scratch or break. And Apple opted for glass harder to break, because the price to replace the screen on an iPhone is one of the singular most expensive parts. There used to be loads of people on this forum upset their iPhone screen, which had no scratches broke in a fall. We see far less of those complaints since Ceramic Shield became the glass of choice (not just by Apple, but by other premium cell phones too). But since the screen can be scratched, it makes sense to put a screen protector on a device which costs at least $1000 the minute it is unboxed. Screen protectors are relatively inexpensive and can be easily replaced. The screen on the iPhone itself, not so easy or cost effective.

Sep 26, 2023 7:10 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Okay. From this standpoint it makes sense. It would have just made more sense for them to have an ample amount of screen protectors in the stores on release week because by the time they had screen protectors available, the screen had already gotten scratched. But I see what you mean. I was just responding based on the concern for the scratching screen.

Sep 26, 2023 7:16 PM in response to blue2234

If you put a screen protector it now, it will very likely hide any scratches you may have gotten and prevent any new ones. I had ordered screen protectors and a cases for our 15 Pro Max and 15 Pro well in advance of them being delivered on launch day. I put them on myself. The Spigen EZ Tray protectors are virtually impossible to not install perfectly and you get two for like $16 on Amazon. You can also go to your closest BestBuy store where they have several screen protector options in stock in the store.

Question marked as Helpful

Oct 11, 2023 10:01 AM in response to Nospam Nospam

I actually posted a ticket with Apple a couple of days and I am going to get to a Repair Center. The reason:

After less than two weeks I noticed a couple of scratches and before yesterday I noticed another light but noticeable one. I've never seen a screen going so bad after years of iPhone iterations, not even after accidentally dropping it. Even my old 12 has no scratches!

My fear is that is a quality problem. We'll see what they have to say.

I don't mind screen protectors but after years with no issues I still don't get the rationale: after all this is a high quality item.

Oct 22, 2023 1:18 PM in response to contento

A hidden tax? Hardly. You pay taxes to the government. Is waxing your car to protect its finish a hidden tax? Is painting the exterior of your home to protect its exterior a hidden tax? No, of course not. So putting a protective layer on the screen on your expensive phone is just smart, doesn't cost much and is something I wouldn't be without on any iPhone I own or have owned.


You can certainly ask Apple to replace your screen. Just don't be surprised if they won't as cosmetic damage (whether you are Tom Cruise or not) is almost always not covered.

Oct 22, 2023 1:53 PM in response to contento

I get what you were trying to get across but it’s a terrible choice. If you were Tom Cruise chances are you could do every possible thing to the phone and there wouldn’t be so much as a speck of dust on it (considering how his action characters seems to defy all laws of physics).


And sorry…but protection for a phone be it screen protectors, cases, etc….in no way is it a hidden tax. It’s not a mandated cost or even required. But if you don’t want to experience scratches it’s a logical choice. I don’t care about scratches but I usually sell my phones because I can usually get much more than trade in offers give so I prefer to protect my devices to keep them pristine. And I’m cheap with the screen protector because there is no need for me to invest in more expensive ones (I’m generally careful with my devices so even with drops I have never experienced any damages…with exception to one that received liquid damage during a car crash). So I don’t get the glass ones (even though you can get a lot of those cheap too). I get some super cheap PET ones from Amazon that don’t remotely affect the feel or functionality of the screen. Personally…I would want to protect a $1000+ investment so paying $5 for a 3 pack of protectors is a “hidden tax” I would be ok with if seeing cosmetic scratches is something that would bother me. Especially since the iPhone…and no phone that I’m aware of has ever claimed to be scratch proof.

Oct 22, 2023 3:30 PM in response to KaeBFly

I stand corrected and for that I apologize: I shouldn't have invoked the powers of Tom Cruise in this discussion.


Let me give you a little bit of context and that might help with my intention, which is helping a fellow user:


My case was presented based on:

  • It was an iPhone with no signs of accidents or mistreatment that I got for less than a week.
  • I had many iPhones, Samsungs, LGs, etc. over the years and yes, I'm aware you may get scratches for they are not sapphire protected as my watches, but it is also advertised that under normal circumstances the devices stand normal friction (Jerry Rig Everything) and as an engineer I can attest those devices are as durable as ****. I still have my original iPhone 1, which survived several "accidents" with no scratches.


The manager at the store was extremely interested and mentioned that Apple was very appreciative of good and serious feedback in fact they replaced it and promised me to send it to Engineer.


Again, miles vary, but the scratches I got were serious, two first and then another developing two. If this information was useful to anyone on this forum, please use it otherwise discard it.


Full disclosure: Tom Cruise is not my friend, but I do love his movies; I do not wax my cars and I love IRS ;-)


Oct 26, 2023 7:28 AM in response to Nospam Nospam

Not a Good Idea.

I recently switched to Apple with the iPhone 15 after using my S9+ for over three years without a case or screen protector, and it remained scratch-free. However, my iPhone 15 got covered in scratches in just two weeks, even though it didn't fall or experience any accidents. :/

One of the main reasons I chose the iPhone is because I love the way the pink design looks. Fortunately, I have insurance for the phone, so I hope it can be fixed. It's disappointing that from now on, I'll need to use a screen protector and a cover, even though they won't look as good on it.

Is iPhone 15 screen more scratch-resistant?

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