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.
It’s going to be deemed cosmetic so no it won’t be fixed or replaced (it doesn’t affect the functionality of the device). You could always go to your local Apple Store to see what they say (you may get lucky and get someone that will give a courtesy replacement but go understanding that is going to be highly unlikely. In order for it to have the type of scratches you’re describing it had to come in contact with something…even if it was microscopic particles that can cause scratching such as sand particles (that is just an example…don’t focus on sand if you feel adamant that you were never anywhere that a few abrasive grains of sand could be present. Just a random option). Lint, dust/dirt, rough material, slipped into the side pocket of a purse or bag, put in a charging cubby in a car that may have small debri you haven’t noticed, etc. But 30 deep scratches didn’t appear out of nowhere….you just may not have noticed the hazard available for it to happen. I have been using my device intentionally with my screen protector off and no case for 3 days because I’m curious how in the world y’all are getting this issues although most haven’t shared pictures of this extreme scratching. Either way, if you decide to take it in no matter what remains calm and kind. There is the old saying that you catch more flies with honey.
Sounds like there is an ongoing issue here. I’ve owned every iPhone. My 16 Pro Max had scratches along the edges of the glass after two days of ownership. I just returned my 15 Pro Max with not a single scratch.
I have not dropped the phone. It is kept face up on countertops and I use a pocket with nothing in it.
The Apple site claims, “It also has our latest-generation Ceramic Shield material that’s two times tougher than any smartphone glass. Talk about durable.”
I think not. This is the most UNDURABLE glass I’ve ever seen in recent memory.
Normally I would attribute the scratches I’ve gotten on my iPhone 16 Pro Max to me being stupid like accidentally putting keys in the same pocket as my phone. However, it became extremely noticeable that new scratches keep popping up really fast despite me being quite careful with the phone. Fast to the point where something tells me something is wrong with the way Apple made this glass. I’ve had every iPhone generation since the iPhone 3G. I haven’t seen scratches form on the screen like this since the 3GS. If you have longtime users like myself saying “Man this screen scratches like nothing before it”, Apple has a problem. Hopefully more and more noise as people have the devices longer will get them to address this serious issue.
If you care to search, you'll see hundreds of threads and posts about iPhone 11 phones scratching easily. The simple fact if no iPhone screen can't be scratched and every year, people get a new iPhone, don't put a screen protector on it, then come to this forum claiming no iPhone they've ever owned got a scratch. But the data readily available by searching the forum, begs to differ.
Koandco wrote:
That makes a lot of sense. However, when it's time to trade in, Apple will give us less because of the scratches....
Usually, normal wear and tear, as in cosmetic scratches on the screen won't lower the trade value. Of course, you could help yourself right now and put a decent quality screen protector on your phone, which will prevent any future scratches and screen protectors also help your phones screen not crack in a fall, by absorbing the fall.
I actually did that search and there is no comparison. The 16 has many time more complaints about scratches than the 12 to 15 did. And with the 16 it is coupled with Apple's announcement for a more "shatter resistant" glass, which physically means less "hard" and thus more prone to scratching. $1000 and Apple says get a just buy a screen protector!
Hello~ Clean your screen and apply a good quality screen protector or go in and have Apple do it for you.
Cleaning your iPhone - Apple Support
I would discourage you from applying anything to your iPhone screen that is not recommended by Apple as it could void your warranty.
~Katana-San~
They did not, I had Apple Care + so that definitely helped. They swapped it under the limited warranty. You have to make a Genius Bar appointment.
Is Apple going to address this? Had iPhone 14 for two years no screen protector and hardly ANY scratches. Got my cases from Temu and traded that thing in for $830. Got my iPhone 16 pro and literally ONE day after had deep scratches from keeping my phone in my cotton sweatpants along with my lipgloss. Immediately went to get a screen protector. Just sucks I have horrendous scratches on my brand new phone only after a few days. Sometimes I even notice with the screen protector it doesn’t pick up every tap on the screen which is frustrating. What exactly is the difference between the 14’s screen compared to the 16 pro’s? Seems to not be as durable as I have dropped my 14 face first multiple times on concrete, cements, and other very hard/rough surfaces with no damage to the screen…
Hi, try put screen protector
Indeed, I am noticing the same issue on my iPhone 16 Pro. I’ve never encountered this problem on my previous iPhones (and I’ve had almost all of them). In short, I think there’s an issue with the materials or at least the quality. I contacted AppleCare, and they refuse to cover this (considering it a cosmetic defect). The glass has to be broken to get a replacement through AppleCare+…
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Hello again ~ Complaints here are only heard by the people posting here…it essentially does no good. I don’t see how Kia or Hyundai got brought into this either. Putting a screen protector on will mitigate further scratches and displeasure for you…that’s all I am trying to point out. Only trying to help you…
~Katana-San~
If you have AppleCare and can demo this to the Genius Bar folks then I think this grounds for getting a $29 replacement/repair.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is nice to hear others have similar experiences with the iPhone 16 Pro scratching easier than previous models.
I understand that ceramic shield glass is not scratch resistant and iPhones are more prone to scratches, and it's not rocket science that it’s much easier to solve the scratch issue with a screen protector. Screen protectors nowadays are really good applying hasslefree.
But my problem is different. I don't have any scratches on my screen. I have a crack out of nowhere even with the screen protector.
First thing I did when I got my new iPhone, was to slap a screen protector and then put in an Otterbox Defender Pro.
Still after less than a month I noticed a hairline crack. No idea when or how I got it. It's a fracture that run across the surface of the screen which is thin. Unlike scratches, you cannot feel the hairline crack with your fingernail. Unfortunately I didn't continue AppleCare+ at the end of my 7-day complimentary period.
Please note that Shatter resistance and scratch resistant aren't the same thing.
Scratches aren't covered by AppleCare but cracks are, which is why they opt for crack resistance over scratch resistance.
My iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is getting scratched easily
