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.

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.

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

Something interesting. I posted in this chat about scratch issues previously. I had these same issues. I pre-ordered my device and got one of the first batches. Two weeks ago, the display became non-responsive. I sent the device back and it was replaced under warranty. 2 weeks into the new XS, zero scratches. At this point with the last device, I was frustrated at the money spent.

I feel like there was some sorts of factory defects with the XS that have been addressed since, or there are just some bad ones in circulation. Either case it is not a good look for Apple.

I actually thought that I was the only person experiencing this problem. Turns out that I developed scratches on my iPhone XS screen as well. I was forced to upgrade from iPhone X due to a series of ridiculous events which I won't get into. However, I owned the iPhone X for almost 2 years and the screen was pristine. I had my iPhone XS for about 2 weeks when I noticed the first hairline scratches. It's clear to me that the quality of glass has changed.

It is true that after my iPhone 6 Plus I stopped using screen protectors but I am not a person who mishandles my iPhones. I am very careful with them and I put then in clear and clean pockets. Otherwise my iPhone X and iPhone 7plus would have been a mess.

This thread has definitely convinced me that there's something going on with the glass although a fix doesn't seem to be forthcoming. Looks like the best thing I can do is try to get the screen replaced by potentially a 3rd party vendor and then maybe start using screen protectors again. Sucks. :-(

Same as reported by others, never ever had screen protectors on my old iPhones and have never had problem with scratches. Only 2 months with iPhone XS and some rather very apparent scratches with phone only seating on my work/home desk or my pocket very very disappointed with the screen quality.

Apple should recognize the deffect and proceed to change the screen of affected people. This version has definetely not the strongest screen ever!

I thought we were the only ones...

I have my XS since day one and it has way more scratches than my iPhone 6 had AFTER 4 YEARS, a couple are also deep!

I keep it in my pocket, without anything else, or on my desktop, and ofc it never felt on the floor or anything that can be the reason for these.

On top of that my gf has an XR since a couple of months and she is complaining the same, with his old iPhone 5S with less scratches after 5 years!

This needs to be acknowledged by Apple and should be offered free exchange/repairs!

I also put my experiences into this discussion.

I have iPhones since the 3G came out and changed it every two years. So I have experienced 3g, 4, 5, 6, and 7 plus before I got my XS few months ago. I experienced scratches before but mainly a few after long and extensive use. This allows no comparison to the current situation. I am a normal user I guess. I use Apples silicone cover and I carry the phone in my pocket. Never in a bag, never together with keys or other harmful objects (no sand at all). After few weeks I noticed a first bigger scratch in my XS. Now you'll find tons of tiny ones. I hope Apple is reading this and starting to care about that problem. My XS with 256Gb was as expensive as a 13" MacBook Pro and I expect it to be as durable as all phones before.

Yes exactly the same for me I got my new Xs end of 2018 and within 2 weeks loads of scratches and I look after it. I concluded it was a cheap glass used or a dodgy batch. I then broke the glass back accidentally by dropping it and got a replacement on the insurance. I have had the replacement a month and not a single scratch. It has to be a dodgy batch fitted to a certain number of phones which apple must be aware of.

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

Don't think about it; use one.