My iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is getting scratched easily

I have more scratches in one day on the 16 Pro Max than I have on the 15 Pro Max in 1 year of use.

Yes I’ve legit had mine for less 12 hours and it’s FULL of scratches around the screens outside

I’ve had mine since launch day and I am disappointed with how easily my 16 pro

max screen scratches.

It’s unacceptable honestly.

Same here. Had my iPhone 16 Pro, used very carefully. Kept around in my pant pocket (synthetic), nothing else was in pocket. After 1 day of use, noticed scratches on top and bottom edges!!! Did not drop the phone, had been using new microfiber soft cloth to clean screen multiple times. I’m a very careful and gentle user and have NEVER had any scratches on any of iPhones (since iPhone 3G). I’m sure something is wrong with this model and Apple needs to do something about it!

I promise I thought it was just me. I had a 14 pro max for 2 years not one scratch get the 16 pro max for 2 day two big scratches out of nowhere

I have more scratches in 3 days on the 16 than I have on the 13 Pro in 3 years of use.

I just went to the Apple Store to clarify and yes, they will not do anything for scratches even with Applecare. It needs to be damage that makes the phone inherently difficult to use. For those who have mentioned they received replacements already, I'm curious how you went about doing so.

... and no one is saying Apple should defy the laws of physics. We, as customers of Apple, are disappointed since their marketing constantly talks about how tough the glass is. Or for example in recent years commercials of toddlers throwing iPhones around with the tagline something like "relax, it's an iPhone". Pretty hard to relax when many of us have our $1000+ investment gain imperfections within hours out of the box.

New iPhone 16. 2 1/2 scratched. Never dropped it or anything. Had my 13 for 3 years. Not a scratch!.

Just upgraded to 16 Pro from 13 Pro and have more scratches in 2 days than I had in 3 years with the other phone. :(

I was waiting for this and the cracked screen threads to start. This topic comes up every single release and the comments that follow (including my favorite, “I had the {fill in model} for 3 years without a case or screen protector and it still looks brand new!”) are almost carbon copy every single time. The responses to those will always be the same. Explaining how harder to brake/crack doesn’t mean it is unlikely to scratch. Suggesting using a screen protector (even the super cheap ones you can get off of Amazon for $7 with at least 3 in the pack…glass or the films). And then the responses to that being that they shouldn’t have to use anything because of how much it costs and how Apple should be able to make everything indestructible regardless of what science says.

I personally always use a cheap screen protector film (I currently have one of the extras from my iPhone 15 Pro Max on until the correct ones arrive) and apply it as soon as I take it out of the box before. I do this because I usually opt to sell my iPhones so I protect it so that when I am ready to sell it is still in pristine condition and I am able to sell for typically more than others selling the same configuration. Unfortunately for those that prefer not to use anything at all the reality is that scratches very well can and likely will occur. If it’s something that you know will bother you immensely it would be a good idea to start using a screen protector as soon as possible to prevent future scratches and help make any current ones you may have less noticeable.

Brand new iPhone 16 Pro Max has scratch right out of box and a dust flake under the “pro” camera. Really Apple? I’m sorry, but it’s hard for some of us to come up with 1 grand for a poorly manufactured phone that you advertise as being premium. I’m so upset in Apple right now. Been an apple iphone user since 2004, but this might just be my last time.

Had mine less than 24 hours and scratches all over the screen! Going back to select apple care!

I have never posted on an Apple support thread before. This is a serious issue, I had a 12 pro max and 14 pro max that have had no screen protector for some time in between. I always got the ZAGG protectors for my phone. I was prepared for the regular 16 pro but returned it 30 minutes later for the pro max and I didn’t have time for Apple to put the protector on. Either way the phone shouldn’t scratch in less than 12 hours with 3 scratches that my fingernail could go into. My 14 pro max NEVER had this issue. Apple replaced the whole phone for me because they agreed it wasn’t acceptable.

Have had the 16 pro for a few days and the screen is full of scratches. Pretty ordinary quality for the price to be honest.

Well , I know, and I have those screen protectors (I own 2 iPhones 16s) on order and coming in tomorrow. This happened even before the protectors come in. I have never complained about screen scratches before. I have owned iPhone since first model and I have never have that issue.

[Edited by Moderator]