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

I have had mine for a week - it’s disappointing to spend this much for it to look older than my 15 Pro Max. I am tempted to return it and pay the restocking fee, the 50x stronger is clearly a lie or many of us got defective phones.

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.

I should not apply anything (screen protector and etc) to my iPhone when I pay $1000 for the product! So now you are blaming consumer for not adding extra stuff ($3 - whatever). If I pay this much for a phone I at least expect that my hard earned money is worth. The other thing you can do is contact the media if Apple gives you run around. I always love Apple but if Apple goes berserk on me or run around, I will end 20 years Apple fan. Dell is offering pretty good deals to me. Yes I hate Windoz but why you use a product like MSFT and the same run around

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.

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.

Replaced your screen or gave you an entire new phone? Did you have apple care or have to pay? I chatted with Apple and they said it wouldn’t be covered under the one year warranty because the scratches were considered “accidental” and unless I wanted to pay to have it replaced there was nothing they could do.

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'm very fond of Spigen Screen Protectors and is what I put on my iPhone 16 Pro Max and 16 Pro screens before they were even powered on out of the box. They're about $18 for two protectors and they have an installation method which is almost impossible to mess up. You can order them on Amazon.

You can also visit your closest Apple Store, where they install screen protectors for you from Belkin, which are also very good. BestBuy stores have loads of screen protector options on their shelves, which you pick up immediately. Zagg is one the best brands BestBuy sells.

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?

Hello~ Who’s on their high horse? When I purchase a new iPhone it gets a screen protector (about $8) a back glass protector, a camera protector and an excellent quality case right out of the box. Guess what? None of them have ever had a scratch on them. Add a screen protector or not …it is your choice.

~Katana-San~

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…

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 Phone comes from the Box with minor scratches in the ceramic 50X better screen. So disappointed, you buy something that comes with scratches; it would be better to purchase something second-hand because you pay less and expect it.

Hello~ When I purchase a new item that I paid a higher price for I will make a video of the unboxing. It has been beneficial for me on several occasions. I have never had a problem with any Apple device having any issues upon receipt. As soon as it’s out of the box a screen protector goes on…as well as other protective gear. Stuff happens… someone put a minor scratch in the side of my car shortly after I bought it. Yes, I was unhappy but it doesn’t rule my life. Put a screen protector on and enjoy your iPhone. If you are within the 14 day return window..return it.

~Katana-San~