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

"Feels Like Apple is Prioritizing Profits by Making iPhone 16 Pro Max Screens Easily Scratchable"

My company purchased the iPhone 16 Pro Max for us just three days ago, and already there are multiple scratches on the screen. I’ve had older Apple devices with no screen damage, so this quick wear is frustrating. It feels like Apple is prioritizing profits by making the screen more prone to scratches, knowing customers will have to pay $300+ for replacements. For a phone that costs over $1,000, this durability issue is unacceptable. I’m considering returning it!

Apple customer service looked at the forum and this thread today when I asked them to, the agent seemed to find them useful to make them aware it wasn’t an isolated issue - so apple will look at this but I agree do contact them

there are threads for lots of different issues - I have had many iPhones over the years and am not new to apple or the standards I have come to expect from a company that cares about design deeply - but from time to time products and production can have quality issue

the agent was pleased to see a forum that was sharing experience as that’s what is for

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?

Same here. Had the 12 Pro Max for 4 years with no screen protector the whole time. Had a couple micro scratches by the time I traded it in. Bought a 16 Pro Max and it is full of deep scratches already within a couple weeks. Will see if I can return.

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.

Here is just one thread about iPhone 15 --> iPhone 15 Screen Scratching Easily? - Apple Community

MischaS wrote:

Same here. I had an iPhone 14 Pro for more than two years and not had a single scratch in the display. Now I have an iPhone 16 since one week and already have a deep scratch in the middle of the screen. I have no idea where it came from...

And just like iPhone 15, there are literally hundreds of threads on the 14 Pro, like this --> Iphone 14 Pro screen scratches - Apple Community

If you really had an unprotected screen and it 'never' got a scratch, count yourself lucky. Most others without screen protectors weren't so lucky.

Hello~ I am simply stating facts as I very rarely base my comments on speculation. Take your iPhone back as you are within the 14 day return window. The point here is scratches on your device and if you want zero scratches simply put on a screen protector. Then the problem is instantly solved and none of us would be here worrying with an issue that can be prevented. Also … click on below and let Apple know your thoughts…

Product Feedback - Apple

~Katana-San~

Hello~ I am only trying to help mitigate any further issues. Let Apple know about your displeasure as I am a fellow for member just like you are and have no more ability to “fix” this than you do. Click on below…

Product Feedback - Apple

My thinking is this…I bought a very nice vehicle and so I do everything within my power to protect my investment. Regular maintenance and protective measures to keep it nice…does that make sense? That’s how I treat my Apple devices as well. Complaining here is a waste of time…it’s a technical forum not a complaint center.

~Katana-San~

That's funny. I'm pretty sure everyone gets the 7 day complementary coverage.

Here's the email I receive from apple.

This Proof of Coverage confirms 7 days of complimentary AppleCare+ coverage for your Apple product(s) listed below. You can also verify your coverage online at mysupport.apple.com/products.

Take a moment to review your coverage details. Depending on where you purchased AppleCare+, your Coverage End Date is based on purchase date, shipping time, or activation. If corrections are necessary or if you have questions, please contact Apple support.

ProductIPHONE 16 PROMAX,ROW,1TB,WHT TTNM

This is the email I receive from apple, not from a reseller.

This Proof of Coverage confirms 7 days of complimentary AppleCare+ coverage for your Apple product(s) listed below. You can also verify your coverage online at mysupport.apple.com/products.

Take a moment to review your coverage details. Depending on where you purchased AppleCare+, your Coverage End Date is based on purchase date, shipping time, or activation. If corrections are necessary or if you have questions, please contact Apple support.

ProductIPHONE 16 PROMAX,ROW,1TB,WHT TTNM

Hello~ Please let Apple know…

Product Feedback - Apple

We are just other fellow forum members who can’t do anything about your issue. There is 14 current pages about this and once we have posted here to try and assist …we receive a notification for every single post. Please contact Apple using the link above.Thx.

~Katana-San~

Your observations are valid. I’ve had every iPhone except the 5 and 5s. They all scratch and they all break. Screen protectors help in some instances but, in my experience, not all.

Screens become scratched when they come in contact with a material harder than the screen or a coating applied. Coatings include oleophobic and anti-reflection materials.

Many people are surprised when the screen comes in contact with everyday household items such as drywall. Drywall contains silica which will scratch almost all materials but diamond.

Here’s a list of common items found in and around homes and offices that contain silica.

• Sand, soil, rock, gravel, sandstone, slate, granite, and clay 

• Construction materials: Concrete, concrete blocks, manufactured stone, roof tiles, bricks, blocks, grouts, mortar, and some joint compounds 

• Other products: Glass, ceramics, plaster, porcelain, cleansers, skin care products, and talcum powder

My mother frequently used various powders and I saw her literally take the surface off the Sapphire Crystal on her watch.

The notion that it’s only dust in pockets is false. Ever consider what stone washing pants leaves in pockets?

I choose to go without screen protectors, preferring the feel of the bare screen. I accept the inherent risks of doing so and have never had an issue when trading in my iPhone, scratches and all, for the next release.

Not sure this will help, but hopefully explains some of the challenges in keeping a glass screen in perfect, scratch free condition.

Your observations are valid. I’ve had every iPhone except the 5 and 5s. They all scratch and they all break. Screen protectors help in some instances but, in my experience, not all.

Screens become scratched when they come in contact with a material harder than the screen or a coating applied. Coatings include oleophobic and anti-reflection materials.

Many people are surprised when the screen comes in contact with everyday household items such as drywall. Drywall contains silica which will scratch almost all materials but diamond.

Here’s a list of common items found in and around homes and offices that contain silica.

• Sand, soil, rock, gravel, sandstone, slate, granite, and clay 

• Construction materials: Concrete, concrete blocks, manufactured stone, roof tiles, bricks, blocks, grouts, mortar, and some joint compounds 

• Other products: Glass, ceramics, plaster, porcelain, cleansers, skin care products, and talcum powder

My mother frequently used various powders and I saw her literally take the surface off the Sapphire Crystal on her watch.

The notion that it’s only dust in pockets is false. Ever consider what stone washing pants leaves in pockets?

I choose to go without screen protectors, preferring the feel of the bare screen. I accept the inherent risks of doing so and have never had an issue when trading in my iPhone, scratches and all, for the next release.

Not sure this will help, but hopefully explains some of the challenges in keeping a glass screen in perfect, scratch free condition.

Same here , never such a large scratch on my iPhone 16 in 2 days! Supposedly sapphire strength, i doubt it.

Me too, day 1 with iPhone 16 pro and in 4 hours I have 2 scratches without knowing how they made!!

I have almost ten years iPhone and it is my first time to have scratches from nowhere