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

Joseph Corl wrote:

A scratch is like a rip. It still functions, but it shouldn't be happening just because I sit on it.

Again, nice try, but the analogy doesn't work. Leather is a completely different material than glass is.

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.

How do you account for the fact so many don’t have this issue? In fact, if I were to rate iPhone’s as to most scratch prone, it would be iPhone 14 series. Least scratch prone, having owned every iPhone except 5 and 5s, I have to rate 16 Pro Max as the best.

Any theories?

Hello ~ Once more into the fray…if you want an iPhone with scratches…yes (they all get them) continue on as is. If you don’t want any scratches put on a screen protector. Since my leather sofas are dear to me as is your iPhone it seems…they are cleaned and conditioned often thus a protective system (much like a screen protector) is in place and working properly. I wouldn’t put “plastic covers” and my leather sofas!! The horror!!

~Katana-San~

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.

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.

I just got the IPhone 16 plus less than 48 hours ago. I ordered a screen protector because there was nowhere near me that had it in stock. I was very careful with the phone, I practically didn’t touch it for the entire 48 hours to prevent cracks or scratches. I wen5 to put the screen protector on and noticed one decent size scratch on the middle left side and a couple big ones on the top right. How is this acceptable?

My other phone stopped working, so I got this one on a whim, therefore, ordering a screen protector was not in the picture at the time. The place I got my phone did not have any in my size, unless I wanted the iPhone 16, but not the plus. This isn’t the issue of the protector, it’s the issue of the cheaply made screen. There are no bubbles or dust under my screen, so again, that isn’t the issue.

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

A scratch CANNOT happen under a screen protector, so I'm not sure what you don't understand? A screen protector CAN be scratched. And the great thing about screen protectors, is they can be replaced easily and affordably.

Katana-San wrote:

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~

You carry screen protectors around? 😆

lobsterghost1 wrote:

Katana-San wrote:

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~

I have no idea why someone would suggest the physically impossible and expect anyone to believe it.

Hello~ Well…we see that here sometimes…right?

~Katana-San~

Katana-San wrote:

lobsterghost1 wrote:

Katana-San wrote:

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~

I have no idea why someone would suggest the physically impossible and expect anyone to believe it.

Hello~ Well…we see that here sometimes…right?

~Katana-San~

Indeed we do on occasion. But physically impossible is irrefutable.

Katana-San wrote:

Hello~ You better believe I do!! I have issues with hand strength so I drop my iPhone a lot. It doesn’t have a scratch on it anywhere. If I hadn’t have had one with me I would’ve immediately stopped and purchased /applied one. I am very particular about my iPhone.

~Katana-San~

I see. That’s actually a good idea.

I have only had my iPhone for a few months and it has scratches on my iPhone 16 plus. I thought the screen was not supposed to get scratches! How do I get this replaced? Very upset this never happened on any of my older iPhones. Very upset for a phone I paid a thousand dollars for.

Hello~ Let Apple know by clicking on below…

Product Feedback - Apple

~Katana-San~