Has anyone noticed the screen on the new iPhone 16 pro max scratchign easily? Had mine for 1 full day and already has a semi deep scratch and another scratch on it.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18
DeloGs wrote:
I believe most of us, including myself, have already reported this issue to Apple. Posting here is meant to highlight the problem and inform other users about the decline in quality with the new phone, potentially saving trouble for those considering a purchase.
I also appreciate your efforts in recommending screen protectors. However, Joseph Corl’s comment about the leather analogy was spot on—I’ve never heard of a furniture manufacturer suggesting that customers wrap their furniture in plastic after purchase.
Expecting such measures for a flagship iPhone product is simply unreasonable.
The analogy still doesn't work. For one, nowhere does Apple say anyone needs to put a screen protector on their iPhone. NOWHERE. But Apple does sell and install screen protectors. Some people aren't bothered by scratches on their screens. Just like some people aren't bothered if their leather seats age, patina or get scratches. So no, seat manufacturers don't suggest you need a seat cover and Apple doesn't say you "need" a screen protector.
The iPhone 16 phones are NO MORE susceptible to scratches than previous iPhones. Every year for as many years as I can remember, there have been equally lengthy threads of people upset because their phones screen is scratching. iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and now 16 in particular, because that's when Apple went with the new glass formula, which they call Ceramic Shield (an unfortunate name in my opinion). Ceramic Shield is much harder to break. But to make glass harder to break, it has to be a bit softer. And softer means it can be easier to scratch. The tradeoff of course is, screens which are harder to break, save users $Hundreds in having to have their screen replaced because it cracked in a fall. I would hope you'd agree you'd rather not have to spend hundreds of dollars replacing your screen if it broke from a drop? No one has yet found a glass formulation, which is equally harder to break and equally harder to scratch. You'd become richer beyond your wildest dreams if you did! But a very small investment in a screen protector will ensure the screen on your iPhone doesn't scratch. It's a lot easier and less expensive to replace a screen protector than it is to replace the screen.
You are more than welcome to continue to alert other users. In fact, I hope people do read these posts and help themselves by putting a good quality screen protector on their phone the moment they get a new phone. They wouldn't be here complaining if they do. But to expect that glass shouldn't be able to scratch and this is something new, is simply wrong. As already mentioned, there are many many threads on just about every iPhone model released of people claiming they never got scratches until their new phone.
MischaS wrote:
Same here. I had an iPhone 14 Pro for more than two years and not had a single scratch in the display. Now I have an iPhone 16 since one week and already have a deep scratch in the middle of the screen. I have no idea where it came from...
And just like iPhone 15, there are literally hundreds of threads on the 14 Pro, like this --> Iphone 14 Pro screen scratches - Apple Community
If you really had an unprotected screen and it 'never' got a scratch, count yourself lucky. Most others without screen protectors weren't so lucky.
rrosier wrote:
Yet, as users who install screen protectors on your phones there is no way for y'all to know if the iPhone 16 Pro is softer than previous versions. Other folks here posting with real experiences do know the new phones are far easier to scratch.
You're absolutely correct. And since iPhone 12, when Ceramic Shield was first introduced and people complained by the hundreds that their new iPhone screen was scratching, why would I even take a chance to see if any of my screens would get scratches unprotected. It's like buying a new car and not having insurance because I've never had an accident before. It doesn't make much sense to me, to spend $1000 or more and not protect my expensive investment. Especially, since screen protectors are inexpensive.
Why do you think Apple installs screen in their stores on iPhone's all day, every day? Why do you think there are literally hundreds, if not thousands of screen protectors on Amazon.com? I can tell you why. Protecting an expensive investment just makes sense. You wouldn't be here complaining if you had put one on your phone. But you didn't, so now you're upset and you somehow think complaining here is getting Apple's attention. It's not. Apple isn't here and doesn't read user comments in this forum for feedback.
Your observations are valid. I’ve had every iPhone except the 5 and 5s. They all scratch and they all break. Screen protectors help in some instances but, in my experience, not all.
Screens become scratched when they come in contact with a material harder than the screen or a coating applied. Coatings include oleophobic and anti-reflection materials.
Many people are surprised when the screen comes in contact with everyday household items such as drywall. Drywall contains silica which will scratch almost all materials but diamond.
Here’s a list of common items found in and around homes and offices that contain silica.
My mother frequently used various powders and I saw her literally take the surface off the Sapphire Crystal on her watch.
The notion that it’s only dust in pockets is false. Ever consider what stone washing pants leaves in pockets?
I choose to go without screen protectors, preferring the feel of the bare screen. I accept the inherent risks of doing so and have never had an issue when trading in my iPhone, scratches and all, for the next release.
Not sure this will help, but hopefully explains some of the challenges in keeping a glass screen in perfect, scratch free condition.
Your observations are valid. I’ve had every iPhone except the 5 and 5s. They all scratch and they all break. Screen protectors help in some instances but, in my experience, not all.
Screens become scratched when they come in contact with a material harder than the screen or a coating applied. Coatings include oleophobic and anti-reflection materials.
Many people are surprised when the screen comes in contact with everyday household items such as drywall. Drywall contains silica which will scratch almost all materials but diamond.
Here’s a list of common items found in and around homes and offices that contain silica.
My mother frequently used various powders and I saw her literally take the surface off the Sapphire Crystal on her watch.
The notion that it’s only dust in pockets is false. Ever consider what stone washing pants leaves in pockets?
I choose to go without screen protectors, preferring the feel of the bare screen. I accept the inherent risks of doing so and have never had an issue when trading in my iPhone, scratches and all, for the next release.
Not sure this will help, but hopefully explains some of the challenges in keeping a glass screen in perfect, scratch free condition.
Apple Z wrote:
If it is a trend then, there must be uderlaying cause. It's not that I compalin every model I got, this is the first time i seeing it since my iPhone 1. I think lots of people here are not lying either and just trying to complain. I got here because i searched and found this thread. As an enginner, I think there must be a batch in every screen production that goes bad. It doesn't matter how good Apple quality control is, no manufacting of a product is 100% yeild. Its not Apple fault either, and I don't think it is users fault either. Just the reality of manufacturing. So instead of saying people to buy a screen protector or whatever is uncalled for.
There's no trend and if you care to search, you'll find with EVERY new iPhone release, there's is a long thread of my iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 screen scratches more easily than any phone I've had. The fact is you can make an iPhone screen harder to scratch or you can make an iPhone screen harder to break. What you can't do is make them equally hard to scratch AND break. There are many many articles on this topic you can google if you want.
The bottom line is iPhone 16 Glass is no more prone to scratching and the last few few generations of phones. Before Apple introduced what they call Ceramic Shield glass, screens broke so often when dropped. But with Ceramic Shield, we see far fewer people complain about broken glass. The glass is more flexible, but that makes it easier to scratch. And there is no bad batch out there either. They can and will scratch if unprotected. This is why Apple installs screen protectors in their stores all around the world every day, all day. And this is why iPhone Screen Protectors are a multi-$Million dollar business.
sm.19 wrote:
I went to the Apple Store and they replaced the phone.
You better slap a screen protector on your new phone. Apple was just being courteous to replace the phone. The new screen will scratch just as your first phone did. The ONLY way to prevent scratches is to use a screen protector.
stephenstruss wrote:
I hate to add to the pile here but I too have had a bunch of spider cracking on the corner of my 16 Pro Max screen. Only have had the phone for +/- 10 days, in a good case since I got it and never dropped. My 12 Pro Max (!!!) had a spotless screen after 4+ years of heavy use. What are my options here? I love the phone, can I get another to replace the screen or do I have to go down the Applecare route?
Cosmetic damage is not covered by AppleCare. Put a good quality screen protector on it and it will hide the scratches you have and avoid future scratches. Apple also won't replace the phone for screen scratches as it is again, considered cosmetic damage.
I’ve had my iPhone 16 pro max for almost a week now and it already has a micro scratch that I can notice in certain lighting conditions and when my finger nail hits it. I got a screen protector the other day. This is the first phone I have had to get a screen protector for.
update from my experience. I took applecare straight after i got the scratch. I went to the genius bar yesterday i also told them my screen sometimes freezes and is delayed with typing and scrolling. The guy was really nice and he changed the screen for me and because “the scratch made my screen not function perfectly” i didn’t had to pay anything! So after my screen got replaced i straight away bought a screen protector. Just try your luck and go to the genius bar if you have apple care!
Did You, or any of you use a microfiber cloth to clean your IPhone 16 Pro Max screens?
Because if you did? Then did you know you have to clean the microfiber cloth after each pass? Reason being Microfiber Cloths pickup debris, and holds it in the cloth till you clean it. So one pass you clean, second pass you apply previous debris across your screen.
ShaMcC wrote:
I have apple care but didn’t need to use it as the deep scratch that I did nothing to cause, affected my screens response and ease of use in that area I had to move apps I used regularly because of this.
I discussed materials with two technician's and if the material is the same as the 15pro and I have to say it feels stronger/ better and considerably more responsive now it’s been replaced - maybe there are manufacturing issues with a batch which all companies even Apple (who I am a great fan of) have from time to time which becomes apparent when they have problems - it’s really improved my experience of use having the replacement screen
As long as you're happy. But I'm willing to bet your naked iPhone screen will accumulate scratches over time. If you're willing to accept that, that's your choice. But you were given a great and courteous opportunity to get a new screen and if I were you (I know I'm not), I would take that opportunity to ensure my new iPhone screen remained scratch free and I would install a screen protector on it. AppleCare doesn't cover cosmetic issues. So you very likely won't be as lucky if your new screen becomes scratched.
In October I replaced my iPhone 7, which I’ve had for nearly 8 years without additional protection, with an iPhone 16 Pro Max.
It is a true disaster. It’s not “Oops proof” at all, as stated during the Apple Event of September. If you care about your iPhone 16 Pro Max’s looks, you need to purchase additional protection.
Honestly, I wish I could have extended the lifetime and performance of the iPhone 7.
The number of complaints of scratching on the 16 far exceeds that for previous models. Yes I went and looked at the 15 and 14 in this forum. About 10 times more complaints for the 16. This corresponds to Apple claiming the 16 is now more “crack” resistant than the 15. Less brittle means softer and more scratch prone.
i was asked same question by apple store repeatedly . Apparently they know that screen protectors are now way harder than their screen and that is what is being advocated as well. Why is this seeming to be beginning of an end…..
Hello~ I am simply stating facts as I very rarely base my comments on speculation. Take your iPhone back as you are within the 14 day return window. The point here is scratches on your device and if you want zero scratches simply put on a screen protector. Then the problem is instantly solved and none of us would be here worrying with an issue that can be prevented. Also … click on below and let Apple know your thoughts…
~Katana-San~
My iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is getting scratched easily
