My iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen is getting scratched easily

What we are all saying is that a screen protector is needed for the iPhone 16 pro because this screen is far easier to scratch than on previous releases of the phone. 

We will all be using screen protectors once we get replacements as well. The point people are posting here is to let Apple and others know the screen is softer than it used to be. We see this as a durability problem because we didn't need screen protectors on older iPhones and now we do. That in itself is unacceptable and we want Apple to go back towards scratch resistance so we don't need to cover our phones in cases & unnecessary layers of glass/plastic.

I thought I was the only one. I’m so mad!! Not even 24 hours and 1 deep scratch and one over the island.

Every iPhone screen ever made can be scratched and every year, people come here after getting a new iPhone saying their screen scratched too easily. While the Ceramic Shield glass on iPhone (unfortunately named, in my opinion) can be scratched, it is significantly harder to break. And that is a trade off. No one has yet learned how to make glass which is harder to scratch and break at the same time.

This is why Apple installs screen protectors in-store every day and screen protectors are a multi-billion dollar business. Install a screen protector to avoid future scratches, which will likely hide whatever scratch you’ve now gotten. When I get a new iPhone, I put a screen protector on it, before I even turn it on to set it up.

Cosmetic damage is NOT covered by your warranty.

The first day of use not even in my pocket just use it scratched on the lower corner screen this “new Ceramic Shield” “50x stronger” is bs it shouldn’t scratch easier than my iPhone 12 which seen better days I’m disappointed on a $1500 phone

Ditto here. Had a 13 Pro Max for years without a screen protector and only a few mild scratches here and there, and that's with dropping the phone a few times.

Responses saying "this happens every release, people should put screen protectors, blah blah blah" are posted by people who believe screen protectors are absolutely necessary. If they were so necessary, one shouldn't have to pay the additional $65 on top of a $1,000 phone. Get off your high horse. A screen protector shouldn't be necessary for users who take care of their screens.

Exactly, the issue with me. I am looking at two iPhone 14 Pro-max and after using 2 years (including playing an action game with my nail). I wish I can send photos or video here.

As a former manufacturing engineer, I think that there is a few percentage which out below acceptable quality. Like when cut chips from large wafer, there is always something we have throw away. So to the people who are saying every new release, people are complaining. I guess they don’t think about quality. I am looking at two iPhone 14s (one work, the other I own), after two years of using I still see zero scratch. Yes I played the same game with my nails, still not scratches. I think we (who has scratches) got a sub-par yield from Apple

screen protector may prevent the iPhone from scratching, but it does not prevent it from hairline crackers. I do have a screen protector but still have hairline crackers. I used my iPhone 11 for more than five years without a single hairline crack, but this iPhone 16 Pro Max the hairline crack appeared out of nowhere within the first month

i’m not even planning to get AppleCare+  as someone already mentioned when you purchase a high quality expensive iPhone around $3000 AUD you have certain expectations of product standards- expecting upgrades to be superior to previous models not inferior. That is why this type of forums are useful because people get to share their experiences, it shows you are not the only one - it’s much more powerful when people get together and share experiences. So Apple can look at this thread to understand  that a lot of people have the same issue.  Even the best companies might have a bad manufacturing batch etc

Hello~ I suppose you could write a letter…

Corporate Address

Apple

One Apple Park Way

Cupertino, CA 95014

Or …

Product Feedback - Apple

I am a fellow forum member just like you and other members who participate here …so can only share the options that I am aware of…

~Katana-San~

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?

Feel to do a search using the search feature here for threads on iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 Screens Scratching More Easily, and you'll see that this is a common theme EVERY YEAR, where people come here claiming their new iPhone is scratching easier than any iPhone they've ever owned before. Many also claiming their previous iPhone never got a scratch in x number of years. There is NOTHING different about iPhone 16.

Here's one such thread about iPhone 15 (though there are many on this) --> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255230884?answerId=259803690022&sortBy=oldest_first#259803690022

And you can look for threads on models preceding iPhone 15 and you'll see the same claims. Again, nothing has changed.

And yet, the solution is so simple. Why buy a phone costing a $1000 or more and not protect your investment out of the box? Screen Protectors are affordable, replaceable and prevent that expensive investment from being scratched.

I have more scratch in 2 days on my 16 pro max than on my 13 pro max in 3 years.

three full days with my 16 Pro and hairline scratches on the screen already. Two years with my 14 Pro and never had any scratches on the screen during that time.

I received my iphone16 yesterday, I have only conveyed it in a soft lined jacket pocket. Already a couple of small scratches mark the screen. Not amused!