iPhone XS screen prone to scratching ?

I acquired a new XS Max this week, and one of the first questions asked in the Apple Store was whether I wanted a screen protector. Glass or plastic? I know my working environment makes scratching a risk so a tempered glass (Belkin) protector was added to my order and fitted as soon as the phone came out of the box. My previous 6S+ also had a similar protector from about 2 days old, and replaced with an identical one after 18 months because of wear and tear.

I have had multiple iPhones over the years as well (4, 5, 5s, 6s) - the last one being 6s that I had pre-ordered and therefore had from the week they came out in Sept 2015 (in fact I was part of the bad batch of batteries that got recalled that only affected the very first batch to ship) - I too have NEVER used a screen protector (tried tempered glass one briefly on the 4 and it drove me nuts) and had one tiny deep scratch in the center of my screen in all that time and a few minor scratches around the edges that were scarcely visible... Never broke the screen or had it replaced. I have had my Xs for a week and half - I have been very careful with it - have never dropped it - have never really thrown it in my purse loose to roll around with other stuff - it is mostly in my hand or on my desk or on my bedside table - I occasionally put it in my empty back pocket when out and about but I would NEVER sit down with it there etc. In a week and a half of completely normal usage (likely treated much more carefully than normal since it’s still so new) the screen is definitely quite scratched. Nothing really deep yet fortunately but enough light scratching that it is pretty readily obvious. This may be the toughest glass yet as far a fall protection is concerned, but I would have to agree that it definitely scratches VERY easily through normal everyday usage even when basically treated with kid gloves because it’s still so new.

To to all who recommend not putting in back pocket ever - where on earth else would you have one put it when you need your hands free? I am a female and generally have a purse on me - but I can guarantee throwing it in a purse is about the worst place it could go to be thrown around with all manner of other things (wallet, keys, pens, etc.) that could potentially scratch the heck out of it... front pockets in women’s jeans are generally useless so that’s out... I have put it in the pocket of my fleece when I had it on but the pocket is fleece on the inside too so that should be a fantastic place for it to be so long as you don’t have anything else in the same pocket - but warm weather is already likely here to stay in Tx so that’s not a realistic option for another 7-8 months now...

I guess i’m gonna have to think about a screen protector moving forward?

Why does a screen protector cost $50? Around here, screen 9H screen protectors, available in shapes to fit every iPhone since the 5, go for $1 or $2. They last about 18 months before I decide that the little chip in the corner has driven me crazy long enough. Then I change it for the next $1 protectors.

iPad protectors go for $8 each, or 2 for $12.

It boggles my mind how many people here are unwilling to spend $1 per year to protect their $1000+ iPhone investment.

Not using a screen protector or a back case is like ripping the horn out of your car. Just because you never needed it in the past doesn't mean you won't need it tomorrow.

iPhone 11 is even more prone to scratches! Here’s a video with Marques Brownlee who wonders how many deep scratches his 11 got in a few days: https://youtu.be/mg2aSSzxoeE?t=98

OK, to get better shatter resistance the glass has to be softer (= scratches).

I suppose we have to live with that.

Get apple care when you buy your phone and see if your carrier has a protection plan that includes it. I have tomobile and it includes AppleCare. Then it’s only $29 to replace the screen.

I have exactly the same issue.

I've been an iPhone user since the 3G, I've never used a screen protector on any of them and never had any significant scratches.

My XS has numerous scratches on it already; two of them fairly deep and I genuinely have no idea where they came from. I've just got back from a Genius Bar appointment where the guy who served me and the 'manager' proudly told me that the XS is the toughest iPhone screen ever, 'No' they've never used screen protectors either and they've never had an issue with scratching on their phones.

They declined to help me on the basis that the scratches were 'cosmetic' and so the system would not allow them to do anything about it.

To say I'm annoyed is an understatement.

Karghnar, if you have an XS, then, by all means, share your experience, but your generalisations are not helpful.

I have had at least 6 iPhones over the last 10 years and NOT ONE of them has scratched the way my XS has in three weeks. I've not treated my XS any differently to my previous phones. I am not a construction worker, I have taken care of it, and I haven't been anywhere to get sand in my pocket (Although I have with other phones).

Hello,

I'm going to adress your statement "generalisation". I found interesting videos regarding your concern. It's not an official source that can speak for Apple products, but it sure is reliable and consistent in testing the durability of iPhones. His channel is "Jerryrigeverything", it's a very interesting channel for these kind of videos.

I looked up the durability test on the iPhone X, and the iPhone Xs Max. Both scratch tests gave identical results.

iPhone Xs (Max) (1min28sec)

https://youtu.be/oT6VL4x-rHY

iPhone X: (46sec)

https://youtu.be/twY6zUj-t20

He carefully explains in his video what this test represents, and clearly shows identical results.

This video shows only one scratch test, so this does not apply for all circumstances. But this sure proves that Apple's display glass quality is pretty much the same across the board.

Your issue is not adressed, but I sure hope it brings a more informative response.

Edit: It's not that I don't believe you, I'm just as curious what this could be.

Kind regards,

K

Opened my phone exactly one week ago. Always kept phone in an empty pocket. I am seeing scratches all over. My iPhone 4,5 & 6S have exactly zero scratches even though I had many times kept keys along with phone. #ScreenGate

Same situation. Scratches noted after a few weeks of normal usage. Went into store and the manager I spoke to said the scratches were not from normal usage and said only I would know what I have done to my phone!! So unreasonable!!

Addressed the issue with a senior advisor through Appke Support. The conclusion was not manufacture fault and no warranty cover.

Cost over A$400 to replace screen, almost 25% of the new phone value!! For again a screen that is poor in resisting scratches?! (Sigh!)

Apple should address the issue asap.

My daughter and I both have 2-month old XSs with micro scratches. We treat them carefully, mine is almost entirely in and out of soft pockets, no idea where the scratches came from. I upgraded from a 6 which I had for 4 years with pristine screen when I traded it in

A real paranoid (like me) would have used a screen protector. Every iPhone I've ever purchased got a screen protector installed the instant it first came out of the box. Having dropped one once and damaged the protector but not the screen, I would never consider not using one.

I bought two iPhone XS about three weeks ago and have been using them regularly. A few days ago, I noticed a lot of scratches on the screen that were easily noticeable. I have had iPhones since 2009 and never had a similar issue. I usually put the phone in my pocket and do not have keys or anything else in my pocket that could scratch the screen.

I contacted Verizon customer service and asked them for a replacement. The representative was very friendly and told me that he could replace both phones through the warranty.

The new phones are supposed to be delivered by Wednesday. However, this time I have to spend about $50 on each phone to buy screen protectors. I usually like to avoid using screen protectors and cases because I like to experience the phone the way it was meant to be used. Each phone costs about $1150 and now I have to spend $50 more to prevent scratches on the new phones. $1150 is already a lot of money and I was hoping I would use the phone with peace of mind. Instead, I have to go to Apple Stores, contact Verizon customer service, and buy additional accessories to solve all the issues I have been facing. Apple products seem to be losing their quality every year and there is no wonder the company's sales have been declining in the past few months.

Same boat as everyone else here, have had the 5 (2 years), and the 6 (3 years) since 2013...my phone is in and out of my pocket constantly all day (especially on the weekend since it mostly sits on my desk at work). No notable scratches on either of the old phones but about a month ago noticed 2/3 very fine scratches on the screen and was like wth this never happened with my old phones.

Like many others I stopped into the Apple store on sat to ask quick about it and the guy at the front hinted that the glass might be a tad softer and I could maybe have the fine scratches buffed out. Seriously?! Finally excited to get the newest iPhone less than 2 months after it came out AND the first time I had to buy it outright (my 6 I still got to use the Verizon subsidy like the old days). Quite disappointed that I don’t carry it in pockets with more than a plastic cased pen in it 🙄 come on Apple