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.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
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.
ni2w wrote:
I take really good care of my iphone 16 pro max but still end up getting scratches on the screen. My old iphone 13 pro max was really abused and does not have a single scratch. Can we go through apple care for replacement?
AppleCare doesn't cover cosmetic damage, but you can certainly see if Apple will help you. EVERY iPhone released has a thread just like this of people claiming their (put your model name here) phone never scratched like their new iPhone does. It is beyond remarkable you had a 13 Pro Max which was scratch free. The threads on iPhone 13 were huge. The threads on iPhone 14 were huge. The threads on iPhone 15 were huge.
And all of this could have been avoided with a decent screen protector. From my perch, I can't imagine paying a $1000 or more on anything and not fully protecting it out of the box. But maybe that's just me.........But probably not, which is why at Apple Stores around the world, Apple installs screen protectors on iPhones all day, every day. And why you can go out to Amazon and find literally thousands of affordable iPhone screen protectors, many costing around $8.
Vancouver22 wrote:
I placed a JETech Tampered glass screen protector on mine on day one. This projects the iPhone screen underneath. It came with an extra one to replace this once it gets scratched up but I’ve rarely used the extra one.
I put a Spigen on mine before it even was turned on. But I recently replaced it with a new screen protector I found from a company called Ragdo. It's AWESOME, to the max. You get two screen protectors and they use a dust free installation method, like the method Apple uses in their stores when they install a screen protector. What's AWESOME is the protector is 10H+, and the coating on the protector is applied in a manner, which is makes the smoothest protector I've ever used. It's smoother than the actual screen on my iPhone and it really doesn't show fingerprints. They're $23 on Amazon.
Since there are many lengthy threads from people complaining their screens scratched on iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and now 16, you were apparently beyond lucky if your phone never scratched. Others apparently were not so lucky. And just like those people who complained, had they put an inexpensive screen protector on their phone, they'd never have had any reason to complain.
This a user to user only forum, telling other users what Apple should do, will get you nothing here. Feel free to tell Apple what you think they should do here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple
In this thread, you'll see links to posts proving it's not just this iteration of iPhone. There are equally long threads on just about every model iPhone sold. Year after year after year, people come here claiming their new phone is scratching, when no other iPhone they've owned "ever" scratched before. Since any glass screen can scratch and their are posts from every generation of iPhone claiming they do, your assertion it is just this iteration is simply not true.
Here is just one (of many) threads about iPhone 15 screen scratching --> iPhone 15 Screen Scratching Easily? - Apple Community
There is only one sure way to avoid scratching a cell phone screen and that is to use a Screen Protector. And this isn't limited to Apple. Samsung and Google phone screens can be scratched as well. Because, glass can scratch.
Ianseptian wrote:
Im surprised with how many people have the same issues! I have mine for 1 night and the next morning got 2 hairline scratches. Unbelievable and unacceptable for this latest iPhone.
does anyone know whether this issues can be covered by warranty?
It's unlikely the glass is scratched, but certainly the Oleophobic coating can get hairline scratches. Cosmetic issues are NOT covered by iPhone warranty. Put a good quality screen protector on your iPhone and you won't notice the hairline scratches and you won't get new ones. Glass can scratch. The only way to ensure you scratches is to protect your screen. Apple installs screen protectors in their stores all day, every day. You can order good quality protectors from Amazon as well. You can also get one installed in any BestBuy store.
Yes I had the same issue but you can get Apple care up to a year now. You just have to ask for it at the store. You can pay for a year $129.00 or $12.99 a month. They did replace Iphone 16 plus for $32.00 is way better than $400. I now have a glass screen protector. I had never dropped my phone either. I won’t leave the store without a scrreen protector in the future.
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.
Goomfrugba wrote:
No one said that previous iPhones couldn’t be scratched. We know how glass works. We’re saying that it is EASIER THIS YEAR TO SCRATCH THE GLASS THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. Some of us haven’t had to EVER use screen protectors and have never seen a scratch. Should your phone scratch when all you do is put it in your soft pants pocket and never drop it? Does that seem right to you?
My apologies for not addressing your question about placing your phone in soft pants pocket. Many are under the impression this is a great place to safely place their phone. Personally, I would NEVER put my phone in my pants pocket, especially a phone without a screen protector. Why? Pants pockets carry micro-abrasive particles. Pants which are washed, during the drying cycle, little bits of left over soap, essentially are baked into crystalline micro-bits. As you move about, these microscopic crystal bits, are swiped across the screen of your iPhone, causing micro scratches, which is really what most people are reporting here. Whether it's right or not, putting your phone in your pants pocket is not as safe as think, if scratches concern you.
For this reason, I keep my iPhone in a Belt Clip case from Encased. My iPhone screen is always face down in the case, which protects it fully. It looks like this:
Joseph Corl wrote:
I see your point, but my concern isn’t about whether Apple explicitly says a screen protector is needed—it’s that users who never needed one before are now noticing scratches from normal use. That’s a change in real-world durability.
If someone hasn't used a screen protector on a previous model phone, and their phone got zero scratches, they were simply unbelievably lucky. The data here on this forum from users who complained just as vocally for just about every model sold over the last several generations suggests otherwise. And they suggested they scratched easily. I'm sure they weren't lying. I'm not suggesting anyone in this thread is lying. I AM suggesting it's not new or any more unusual than it has been with the previous generations of iPhone. And that's the real point. iPhone 16 models don't scratch any easier than other model iPhones.
The ONLY iPhone I never put a screen protector was my iPhone 6. It scratched like crazy and I vowed then and there that ANY iPhone I buy in the future will get a screen protector installed before it is even powered on. That is the ONLY way to make sure your screen can avoid getting scratched. On my iPhone 16 Pro Max, I've already changed the protector as my first protector got some scratches. When I took the protector off to prepare the phone for a new one, the screen underneath was pristine. My new screen protector claims 10H hardness whereas most claim 9H. The new protector has not developed a single scratch. But the good news is if it does and if the scratch bothers me, I can simply, easily and affordably replace it.
After calling apple customer service - I had a genius appointment today and they replaced my screen under warranty- it passed diagnostics but they acknowledged you have to press harder over hairline scratched area and it affected use of the phone which also randomly glitched/ froze at times - but apparently the materials for screen is same as 15 pro so I figured there maybe some problems with manufacturing a batch of 16s and am hoping the new screen won’t scratch as much - my 15pro didn’t have any deep scratches after a year of use
ShaMcC wrote:
After calling apple customer service - I had a genius appointment today and they replaced my screen under warranty- it passed diagnostics but they acknowledged you have to press harder over hairline scratched area and it affected use of the phone which also randomly glitched/ froze at times - but apparently the materials for screen is same as 15 pro so I figured there maybe some problems with manufacturing a batch of 16s and am hoping the new screen won’t scratch as much - my 15pro didn’t have any deep scratches after a year of use
Did you have Apple Install a screen protector on your new screen while you were at the Apple Store? If you didn't, don't be surprised to see your new screen get scratches and DON'T be surprised to be denied another courtesy replacement if it does.
mditullo wrote:
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.
If you want to pay Apple to replace the screen on your 16 Pro Max, the cost is $379. It would be far less expensive to put a good quality screen protector on your iPhone, which will likely hide any scratches you have and prevent future scratches.
Here is the link from Apple with screen replacement costs --> iPhone Screen Repair - Apple Support
I recommend taking it back to trade out while you still have it within the 14-day return period and limited warranty. Then slap a screen protector on it because this release appears to have a softer screen.
I recommend taking it back to trade out while you still have it within the 14-day return period and limited warranty. Then slap a screen protector on it because this release appears to have a softer screen.
rrosier wrote:
You still don't understand what people are saying. We haven't *needed* a screen protector prior to the iPhone 16 Pro. The glass is now, while likely more durable to drops, noticeably more susceptible to scratches to the point where regular, daily usage is resulting in scratches. This is unlike previous generations.
Yes, get a screen protector if/when you get an iPhone 16 Pro because the screen is too soft to now roll without one. Apple over-indexed on break resistance and now has a soft screen where you need to cover it in bubble wrap, unlike the previous two releases.
There are just as many threads about iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, etc., as there are about iPhone 16, where people claim they've never had scratches on their new phone. Nothing has changed. The glass is the same Ceramic Shield glass as on the previous models. So we do understand. And the only sure way to avoid scratches is to put a decent quality screen protector on your new iPhone. And they cost so little, so a mystery to me why anyone wouldn't spend a few dollars to avoid having an issue from the beginning. Spigen, for example, makes great screen protectors, with a foolproof installation tray and you get two of them for about $16.
My iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is getting scratched easily
