iPhone 15 Screen Scratching Easily?

There really isn't since at least the iPhone 7, independent tests have shown that again and again.

Always use a screen protector; if you don't want to use one, your screen will inevitably scratch.

That's the way things work in the premium smartphone world.

This is an old article, but it is still applicable:

The Verge: Why your brand-new smartphone will scratch just as easily as your old one

ghayoor66 wrote:

you are contradicting yourself, you stated in another comment that apple has been using the same glass formula for the past 3 years and then you come on to say that the glass formula on 15 is easier to scratch but difficult to break ? So how is it the same ?

you keep mentioning to spend a few more bucks and get a screen protector so why not just put a cheap screen and put a high quality screen protector, with that argument, there was no need for more durable titanium body, use the cheapest material for the body and just get a high quality case to cover it. Is it really high quality when it needs additional protection all around. To be honest it seems like you haven’t used many iPhones, you mentioned to someone that they were lucky because their previous phones didn’t get scratches, no it just seems those screens were better. Try iPhone 13pro if you have one, the screen doesn’t get scratches easily and it doesn’t even break easily.

I have NOT contradicted myself at all. Ceramic Shield was introduced on iPhone 12 and has continued on iPhone 13, 14 and 15. In this formulation, the glass was made more flexible to help avoid cracking in a fall. Prior to that, phones were too easily shattered and once the new formulation was released, the incidence of shattered iPhone screens was dramatically reduced. And every iPhone model released have had threads just like suggesting their iPhone scratches more than the previous iPhone they owned. If someone didn't ever get any scratches on a previous model, they were simply lucky. The formulation hasn't really changed since iPhone 12.

I'm sorry you and others can't accept the fact that the glass on iPhone 15 is no more susceptible to scratches than phone released 4 years ago, but they're not. And it just makes sense to put a screen protector on a device which now costs north of $1000 to be assured the screen can't be scratched.

Finally, your argument that a cheap screen could be the right solution fails to take into account how much technology is built into the screen, the refresh rate of the screen, the number of and quality of pixels the screen uses to display content. Those require expensive screens to reach the brightness level you've come to expect, with the resolution you've come to expect.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

That’s truly amazing, because the iPhone 15 has identical glass to the past 4 models.

It is amazing, actually. Apple put the same glass on iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 15. No change at all. It's all Ceramic Shield. And all scratched just as easily as iPhone 15. And every iPhone ever made benefits from a decent quality Screen protector. Which is likely why Apple sells and installs Belkin Screen Protectors in their stores throughout the world. Amazing, right?

1) Screen protectors don't restrict or alter the view except perhaps very minimally and only at certain angles.

2) If even that is too much for you, you are 100% responsible for any damage that occurs.

Independent tests have shown again and again the iPhone 15 screens are no more prone to scratching than those of any other iPhone since at least the iPhone 8, not to mention any other premium smart phone on the market, including Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy models.

Personally, I refuse to even do anything other than take my phone out of the box and power it on until a screen protector is applied, and I have the screen protector applied at an Apple Store while it is booting for the first time.

They must be getting tons of calls for returns or replacements. I've had mine just a couple weeks before I noticed the micro scratches. They could've even gotten there in shipping/packaging. Nonetheless, this is unacceptable! There is no excuse for this. I baby my phone(s). The 15 is advertised uncased with no protection while jumping out of an airplane. I've actually considered not putting on a case. But out of habit, I did. Titanium is the strongest metal so you would assume this phone does not need to be handled like delicate blown glass. I was on the phone for an hour yesterday with customer support - initially they said it is a cosmetic issue and is not under warranty. I was heart sicken to hear this. These phones are the most expensive iphone ever made. The value is just not there. CS then passed me to sales and sales agreed to replace or allow me to return the device for a refund. I then asked for a replacement and asked for an Apple screen protector to be applied. She searched and they don't even make a screen protector!!! This one may be a flop. It sounds like they may have a problem on their hands. The jury is still out. QC, wake up! Maybe they will recall it. But in the meantime, I'm getting a new one and will apply an aftermarket screen protector. I also wonder if this was just a bad lot or a batch of substandard screens. So call them and give up an hour of your precious time if it matters to you. I bought mine on-line through the Apple.com Store.

mschre2 wrote:

I have had many iPhones over the years, last one being a 12 mini, never used a screen protector. Always have a case that seems to be enough and this screen on the 15 seems to scratch without any clear reason. The phone is either in my pocket or laying on my desk/table, screen up. Never had this issue before. Seems like a defect

As has been mentioned in this thread, iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 15 use the same glass. It's amazing you had a 12 without a screen protector and never got a scratch on it. Remarkable, actually.

From the moment iPhone 12 was released this forum had loads of threads on how easy it was to scratch the glass of iPhone 12. Same with iPhone 13, then 14 and now 15. Feel free to use the search bar at the top of this page and type iPhone 12 screen scratches, which will pull up loads of posts.

I've had good luck with the Belkin and OtterBox glass protectors. I've never had a case break them, but it depends upon the case you use.

I've also never had a plastic protector peel up.

Yes, there's the possibility of a batch defect, and your local Apple Store will examine your phone and tell you whether the scratches on yours are considered cosmetic damage.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

It does not have inferior build quality; multiple reviewers have shown in scientific tests that the iPhone 15 family phone's screens are at least as scratch-resistant as those going back to the iPhone X.

Apple isn't going to pay to repair damage a user caused because they didn't install an inexpensive screen protector; that's considered cosmetic damage and is not covered by the standard Apple warranty.

I normally don´t express my opinion and facts as i keep it to my apple business representative, but this is a big issue that needs to be highlighted.

I'm an user of iPhone since the 3GS times, and I've actually tested and supported on a professional environment virtually all the devices that apple has commercially made available since the Mac g3. The scratches over the screen is something so common that we halted the deployment of Iphone15 family devices and rollback to iPhone 14 family. It scratches almost easily as the plastic body of the pre-unibody MacBook's.

The suggestion to use screen protectors is not appropriate as, by design the advantages of the display are the reflect and oleophobic coatings it has. no screen protector has the same coatings, and the glue layers alters the light dispersion of the screen, no matter the quality, and I'm not into the aesthetics, just on the usability.

Update: My heart just couldn't take the scratches on my brand new phone. The thought of living with that for 1-2 years was not palatable. After a week of running around with Customer support then back to sales - I finally got a replacement phone last night. It was worth the hassle of the hours on the phone and another hour in the Apple Store to transfer everything over to the new phone (again). This time I bought the Belkin tempered glass protector screen ($39.95) from the Apple store and purchased the 2 year Apple Care coverage ($199). So $1600+ later... This phone is expensive! I do not expect it to scratch or crack but since this is a quality none of us are used to, the Apple care should cover any mis-haps. Maybe this is their way of selling the Apple care insurance. It worked. I'm pretty certain after reading all your posts, they are seeing customers coming back for replacements. They've filed it under -"shipped out with scratches". And all the genius' there were saying that. Even when I didn't use those words- not once. If there were scratches, I certainly didn't see them initially. But I also know I didn't do anything to put them there. I'm grateful they stood behind their product.

Yes🥲 ive had it for 3 weeks and its already got a noticeable scratch.. previously i had been using the iphone 12 mini for a few years without a screen protector without any issues with any scratches on my screen.. really disappointed. If u really want to change to an iphone 15 get a screen protector right away. And sadly apple care does not cover this as it does not affect the usage of the phone.

Then you can congratulate me as well. I won't even turn on a new iPhone without first installing a decent quality screen protector and putting my phone in a good quality case. I spent well over $1000 on my 15 Pro Max and couldn't imagine not ensuring it can't be scratched.

Are you aware the glass formulation on iPhone 15 is no different than the glass on iPhone 12, 13 and 14? It is exactly the same. If you have actually owned each and every one of these phones and didn't get a scratch without a screen protector you are beyond lucky. With each model iPhone I just mentioned, just as many people came to this very forum to complain their iPhone screen scratched easier than iPhone they've ever owned. There are pages and pages of people claiming this for the previous models.

You may think my iPhone is uglier for having protection, but then my iPhone has ZERO scratches on the screen or case itself.

[Edited by Moderator]

I have scratch that formed that is 1 inch by a quarter inch and they called it "cosmetic". I have no idea how it got there and I don't cary keys in my pockets. It has also formed a bunch of scratches that are more than earlier edition Iphones. This seems to be a product issue given my personal usage hasn't changed. I suggest everyone invest in a screen protector and complain to Apple.

el_masmalo wrote:

The suggestion to use screen protectors is not appropriate as, by design the advantages of the display are the reflect and oleophobic coatings it has. no screen protector has the same coatings, and the glue layers alters the light dispersion of the screen, no matter the quality, and I'm not into the aesthetics, just on the usability.

Apple would likely be interested to know they are doing something inappropriate by selling and installing screen protectors from Belkin on iPhone's in their stores around the world. To suggest its not appropriate is patently false. Good screen protectors are oleophobic coated (which just reduces fingerprints, btw) and unless you are using sophisticated lab equipment to measure light dispersion, the human eye cannot see a difference. Some screen protectors even offer higher levels of Blue Light filtering, which will help to protect your eyes better, like protectors from Zagg.

You can justify why you don't want a screen protector on your phone personally. You just can't make things up to support your justification.

This is from Apple.com and is the screen protector they install every day on customer iPhones: Belkin UltraGlass 2 Screen Protector for iPhone 15 Pro Max - Apple

"They" didn't do anything.

You used it without a screen protector in place, and as a result you scratched your screen.

I don't care what happened with your 12; independent scientific tests have shown the 15 Pro Max's screen to be just as robust if not more so.

Most people that didn't immediately apply a screen protector would apply one after their first scratch.

You can still protect against further scratches by applying a screen protector now.