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.
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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.
Yes absolutely ridiculous my 16pro has 3 little scratches and I am so careful with my phones as I have severe ocd I want my money back I never thought I would say this but I will make the switch to android as they use gorilla glass, I understand Apple used this ceramic coating so phone does not shatter when dropped but I would rather this then a scratch any day either way you would have to repair makes no sense I want my money back Apple 🍎 absolutely awful
I upgraded from the iPhone 12 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and after just two weeks of use, it already has a big scratch on the screen—even though I haven’t dropped it once! I’ve been an iPhone user for years, and none of my previous devices had scratches like this. This is really disappointing, Apple.
My screen has developed a deep scratch and numerous small ones within just a few days, despite me being extremely careful with it. This is unacceptable, and the retailer I purchased it from refuses to do anything about it. I have been an iPhone user my whole life, starting with the iPhone 3G, and I have never experienced anything like this before.
I have had my 16 pro max for 1 week tomorrow and it is broken on the very edge and has scratches. I have the screen protector on when it happened. It was never dropped. I had my 12 pro Max for years and just turned it in with no scratches and no screen protector. What is going on? This is ridiculous for this price range.
Koandco wrote:
It wasn't the same at all with past generations of iPhone. It's particularly true of this iPhone 16. We are a a majority to think that and I bet that there will be adjustments made in the future.
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You are most definitely NOT a majority. The people posting here are an infinitesimal minority out of the millions upon millions upon millions of people who own these new iPhones. And as I mentioned earlier, there are just as many threads about iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 as there are about iPhone 16. You are more than welcome to take the time to look for them. Each and every thread could have been written about the current model phone. This isn't new in any way.
And here is just one such thread about iPhone 15 --> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255230884?answerId=260068268022&sortBy=oldest_first#260068268022
It’s crazy and extremely disappointing I have a brand new iPhone 16 - a month old - it’s been in the otter case and screen protector since I walked out the store. I haven’t done anything wrong to it and last night I notice the TOP LEFT and BOTTOM RIGHT screen is scratched / chip.
I have had older models for years without any scratches.
@apple
do something!
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had my iphone 13 pro max for 3 years, no damage whatsoever. upgraded to the 16 pro max in december 2024. 3 months later, i dropped my phone from about 3 feet with a case and screen protector on, and both my screen and camera are cracked.
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I bought my 16 Pro Max two hours ago. I put it in a pocket of a pair of fleece line jeans when I left the Apple Store I pulled it out of my pocket, it immediately had scratches the first and only time I use the phone. I was literally still in the parking lot of the Apple Store.
Joseph Corl wrote:
Saying "put a screen protector on it" would be like Jaguar saying, "Put a plastic slip cover on the 'improved softer' leather seats so they don't rip."
Sorry, not a good analogy, but good try, at least. But let's go there. Does leather look the same after being sat on repeatedly over time? Nope. Leather patinas with use as that's what leather does. Leather scratches, develops crease marks and even changes color as it ages. Leather can even be stained. Whereas glass just scratches if not protected.
The analogy is spot on. It highlights the frustration of paying a premium for what’s advertised as an improvement, only to find out that the "enhancement" actually makes the product more fragile in everyday use. The key part is that customers aren't abusing the product—just using it as intended—yet they’re now being told they have to take extra precautions that were never necessary before. The Jaguar example also underscores the shift in responsibility. Instead of Apple acknowledging that their design choice has unintended drawbacks, they shift the burden onto customers: "Just get a screen protector now." The analogy drives home the absurdity of a supposed premium feature requiring aftermarket protection just to function as well as previous models did without it.
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.
K- I agree with you that using a screen protector is something everyone should do to protect their phones and I always do. However, on this phone, the glass and case did nothing to protect the camera side, and in fact when I tried to remove the one my daughter had to replace it with one that isn’t cracked- it began to just chip the camera screen glass off while trying to remove. I believe my daughter dropped her phone, so she has a little more damage than scratches.
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So I've had an iPhone since the 3G, never used a protector, and have yet to see a scratch on any of them under normal use. Guess I should pick some lottery numbers! Seriously, though, that’s why it feels like something might have changed this time around. And with the 16 Apple announced it is far more "crack resistant" now. A change in the formula.
Absolutely! My new iPhone 16 Pro Max has already so mane semi deep scratches on the screen! Out of NOTHING. the quality is genuinely decreasing with every single iPhone released. Quality wise it doesn’t cost its money at all.
Camera is also not working well, btw.
iPhone pro max screen with tempered glass screen protector has developed a small spalded chip by the camera button and has three cracks extending across the glass to the other side. I believe the cracks fully penetrate the glass protector. Don’t know if the screen itself is cracked as well. Never had the issue with my IPhone 12 however it had a polycarbonate screen protector on it
Phone is three days old and has not been dropped or abused in any way!
My iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is getting scratched easily
