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.
Hello~ Why don’t you ask Apple? Click on Support icon in lower left corner or…
Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
~Katana-San~
Then you will need to have the screen replaced.
Hello~ You have 14 days to return it.
~Katana-San~
Apple Care will cover it if the scratch affects the performance of the screen. If it does not affect the performance, then it’s cosmetic and will not be covered.
Take it to an Apple Retail Store and see what they say.
Hello~ Click on below and let Apple know as we here are fellow forum members…
~Katana-San~
It's true, please send feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple
The more we will tell Apple about our experience, the more we'll be heard.
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've had plenty of iPhones over the years and have only been more and more careful with each phone since they have become more expensive over time. Never has scratches on the screen been an issue until my last two. After like a month of ownership my 15 Pro Max already had a large deep scratch in the center and now here I am not even a full 2 weeks into having my 16 Pro and there is already a tiny scratch on this screen as well and I have been BABYING this thing since I picked it up.
Also, although unrelated to the scratch issue, my 16 Pro semi-bricked itself on a normal iOS 18 update 3 days into owning the phone and I had to take it to Apple so they could erase/restore it. I like the phone but it's clear Apple quality has been declining lately which is unacceptable when talking about a $1000+ flagship phone.
As a former manufacturing engineer, I think that there is a few percentage which out below acceptable quality. Like when cut chips from large wafer, there is always something we have throw away. So to the people who are saying every new release, people are complaining. I guess they don’t think about quality. I am looking at two iPhone 14s (one work, the other I own), after two years of using I still see zero scratch. Yes I played the same game with my nails, still not scratches. I think we (who has scratches) got a sub-par yield from Apple
Did they mention how much it would cost to replace? My phone has scratches right in the middle of the screen and very noticeable. Happened within three days of owning the phone.
Yesterday, I went to the Apple Store to show the scratches and asked they have heard other complaints. I was basically gaslit and told that it happens when I'm wearing jeans and sliding the phone in and out of my pocket. Was not helpful.
I don’t have apple care. Never have I ever needed it and I’ve owned iPhones since 2009. This is literally the first iPhone I have ever had that got scratched so easily without dropping. I did make an appointment for the Genius Bar but I am not hopeful they will do anything. When I chatted they told me it wouldn’t be covered under the limited warranty. Any tips on how to word it so they may replace it for me?
I just bought two iPhone Pro Max, when I saw this discussion I started to examine my phones and to my surprise they had scratches, I have the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the 15 Pro Max and they don't have a single scratch, I made an appointment to take them to the Apple Store, they made me wait two hours and then told me that the phones were very new and they didn't have parts to repair the screen, when I was waiting for my turn 6 people were there for the same problem.
My iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is getting scratched easily
