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

Mine as well I have two huge deep long scratches after taking it home for 2 hours. I am very careful. So annoyed I just upgraded to this phone. My 12 was absolutely useless and was so excited to get a nice new one. Anyone know something that will work on the sccesfches before I put my glass screen protector on?

[Edited by Moderator]

Just picked up my new Apple 16 Pro phone traded in my old apple XS Pro and am not very happy. Had the phone only one day and have several DEEP scratches in the screen!!!. Did not get a screen protector since I did not have one on my old phone and had NO scratches in SIX years! What is going on with Apple, are they trying to loose customers? BTW also got the same type phone, on the same day for a Valentine gift for my wife. Hers also has deep scratches after one DAY and she is livid.

Kommanderson wrote:

Oh ok, so 15 prior years of iPhone ownership and never having a problem like this with any other model doesn’t count for anything?

I guess you were just very very very lucky. As there are threads on just about every phone model released, many many many others were clearly not as lucky. I doubt they were lying. And I'm not suggesting you are either. It's just that the data doesn't support anyones claims that previous phones didn't scratch just as easily. And the data also supports there is one sure way to not even need to be here complaining about ever getting a scratch and that is to install a good screen protector out of the box.

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.

Hello~ The Apple Store asked you what repeatedly? I have never owned an iPhone that didn’t have a screen protector place on it the moment it came out of the box and guess what? Absolutely no scratches…none. You last sentence…well explain?

~Katana-San~

Joseph Corl wrote:

So if leather develops a patina, scratches and crease marks after just one week that's OK? Otherwise put plastic on it?

So you don't think the very first time you get in a brand new car with leather upholstery, you couldn't possibly damage it? Of course you can. And I actually did with a brand new car once. Leather is a soft material. Glass is a hard material. Glass is man-made. Leather is a hide, which came from a previously living animal which has been through processes to make it suitable as a seat covering.

Again, your analogy doesn't work here. So, this is my last response to you.

Take care.

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 appreciate your perspective, but the issue isn't about whether prevention is a good idea—it's that many iPhone users have never needed a screen protector before and are now finding that normal, careful use is still resulting in scratches. To use your sofa example—if a manufacturer suddenly said their new leather was softer but now required plastic covers to prevent early wear, wouldn’t that feel like a step backward?"

Hello once more~ This sounds like an endless circle. I hope that you will provide Apple with your point of view about your scratched screen. One more word about my leather sofas…since I have taken preventative steps …I will not need worry about the manufacture’s “new” leather. Take care.

~Katana-San~

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.

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.

[Edited by Moderator]

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.

I got an IPhone 16 pro yesterday evening. Set it up and used it this evening. Not dropped it or been anywhere with it. Small crack about an inch from the bottom of the screen in a central position. Cant see it unless close up with a light but I can feel the crack when scrolling.

Had my iPhone 15 pro max for over a year, been all over with it with no screen protector, dropped it a few times and no marks or damage.

ROMAN4261 wrote:

I phone iPhone 16 pro screen have big scratch even I am use screen protector at all time how do this scratch coming to my screen I really can’t understand

Try changing the screen protector.

Hello~ A great screen protector saved my iPhone screen yesterday!! I had an extra with me and replaced immediately. Wonder why one would think you could get a scratch on your screen through a screen protector?

~Katana-San~