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XS Max screen easy to scratch

Is anyone else finding that their xs max has a very soft screen? I already have a bunch of hairline scratches on my new iphone. I baby my devices and yet within a couple of weeks my screen is full of marks.


I have a year old 8plus that I have used for the last year and it looks like brand new. I never use screen protectors as I am super careful, yet my new phone looks like it is 3 years old. I upgrade yearly and this is the first time I have had visible marks like this in several years.


Anyone else having this same issue?

iPhone XS Max, iOS 12.0.1

Posted on Oct 11, 2018 9:34 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 17, 2018 5:32 AM

I have the same issue with my XS. I compared my 2 week ownership of the XS to 9 months with the X. The X actually looks better than the XS scratch wise. Never use a screen protector and never have. This is my first real issue with scratching. Keys always on the right phone on the left. To be fair though i think it’s a lot of me to ask apple to do something over cosmetic scratches. I could see the nightmare they would face with everyone bringing a phone back scratched. However i do believe something has changed on the glass between the X and Xs. Maybe making it less likely to crack has made it more susceptible to scratches?

62 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 17, 2018 5:32 AM in response to gdigenis

I have the same issue with my XS. I compared my 2 week ownership of the XS to 9 months with the X. The X actually looks better than the XS scratch wise. Never use a screen protector and never have. This is my first real issue with scratching. Keys always on the right phone on the left. To be fair though i think it’s a lot of me to ask apple to do something over cosmetic scratches. I could see the nightmare they would face with everyone bringing a phone back scratched. However i do believe something has changed on the glass between the X and Xs. Maybe making it less likely to crack has made it more susceptible to scratches?

Oct 17, 2018 12:39 PM in response to gdigenis

My Xs has a lot of scratches after only 3 wekks of use. The new Gorilla Glass 5 is prone to scratches due to the improved resistance to shattering. It’s a lot softer than the glass on the X. My old X has ZERO scratches! Here’s my Xs:

User uploaded file


If enough people have this issue, Apple may be forced to offer a replacement program. #scratchgate?

Oct 28, 2018 3:13 AM in response to gdigenis

Take it with humor. If you don’t want scratches on your Xs screen:


-You should’t put your iPhone Xs in any pocket (just look at mine!)

-You should’t put in on a surface (there may be salt grains or other dust)

-You should’t wipe it with a cloth or your hand (micro-scratches!)

-Try to avoid looking at it, it may scratch :-)


Best way to avoid scratches: Keep your Xs in the sealed packaging to carry it around.

Nov 11, 2018 9:35 AM in response to gdigenis

My XS Max is also accumulating an abornmal number of scratches - not dropped, not put into a pocket with keys or anything else that typically might cause a scratch - more specifically I have not treated this iPhone differently than any other I’ve owned in recent memory. I’ve always put my iPhones either in my coat or jacket pocket by themselves. I make sure not to include anything else with an iPhone when it’s being carried in a pocket. I was just in my local Apple Store and the specialist I was talking to also owns a XS Max and told me he was suprised by how many scratches his device is already showing. Like me, he also owned a X before and had never accumulated a single scratch on that display. Hopefully Apple will address this soon.

Nov 13, 2018 7:16 AM in response to gdigenis

I have polished the screen to get rid of the deep scratches. Now the oleophobic coating is missing on the polished spots. I have ordered a liquid nano protection and I will report if this will restore the original surface quality. If not, I have to order Apple Care+ for 299 plus 29 USD to get a refurbished XS with a new shell.


My advice to all new XS owners: Be VERY careful with your phone! It’s not as scratch resistant as the old iPhones were.

Nov 13, 2018 10:54 AM in response to gdigenis

I have the same problem.


Have bought my XS Max two weeks ago, I was amazed to see scratches after one week of usage. I care about it like crazy, therefore I am super disappointed that screen has so low scratches resistance.


My previous phone didn't have any significant scratches after 3 years of usage, with this speed my iPhone XS Max will looks similar after 3 months of usage.

Nov 18, 2018 10:35 AM in response to icon707

I went into apple yesterday to get my screen replaced through apple care. They will not replace the screen for cosmetic scratches. It has to affect the functionality of the phone. If you accidentally drop your phone and the screen cracks then they will replace the screen. I have bought a screen protector to limit any more scratches. Very disappointed with apple. You can pay £279 and they will replace the screen for you.

XS Max screen easy to scratch

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