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

Normally I would attribute the scratches I’ve gotten on my iPhone 16 Pro Max to me being stupid like accidentally putting keys in the same pocket as my phone. However, it became extremely noticeable that new scratches keep popping up really fast despite me being quite careful with the phone. Fast to the point where something tells me something is wrong with the way Apple made this glass. I’ve had every iPhone generation since the iPhone 3G. I haven’t seen scratches form on the screen like this since the 3GS. If you have longtime users like myself saying “Man this screen scratches like nothing before it”, Apple has a problem. Hopefully more and more noise as people have the devices longer will get them to address this serious issue.

I also had a 15 pro and my 16 has a scratch already I am careful my phone and had the 15 pro for over a year and it had less scratches it seems like the screen isn’t as good as the 13 or 15. Apple need to address this - I also have apple care - also thought it was just me 😔

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.

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.

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...

rrosier wrote:

Yet, as users who install screen protectors on your phones there is no way for y'all to know if the iPhone 16 Pro is softer than previous versions. Other folks here posting with real experiences do know the new phones are far easier to scratch.

You're absolutely correct. And since iPhone 12, when Ceramic Shield was first introduced and people complained by the hundreds that their new iPhone screen was scratching, why would I even take a chance to see if any of my screens would get scratches unprotected. It's like buying a new car and not having insurance because I've never had an accident before. It doesn't make much sense to me, to spend $1000 or more and not protect my expensive investment. Especially, since screen protectors are inexpensive.

Why do you think Apple installs screen in their stores on iPhone's all day, every day? Why do you think there are literally hundreds, if not thousands of screen protectors on Amazon.com? I can tell you why. Protecting an expensive investment just makes sense. You wouldn't be here complaining if you had put one on your phone. But you didn't, so now you're upset and you somehow think complaining here is getting Apple's attention. It's not. Apple isn't here and doesn't read user comments in this forum for feedback.

From all comments here apart from yours, i gather that people are comparing new iPhone 16 to older generations where the screen really was scratch resistant. My 4 years old iphone 11 that i never used any screen protectors on is less scratched than my now 3 weeks old iphone 16pro that allegedly has a super tough screen.

Yes, we can all put a screen protector on but that's not the point here. The point is poor quality of the premium handset.

If you care to search, you'll see hundreds of threads and posts about iPhone 11 phones scratching easily. The simple fact if no iPhone screen can't be scratched and every year, people get a new iPhone, don't put a screen protector on it, then come to this forum claiming no iPhone they've ever owned got a scratch. But the data readily available by searching the forum, begs to differ.

My iPhone 16 plus has a lot of scratches and I’ve been very careful with it. My last two iPhones never had scratches on the screen. I’m upset now and I want this fixed but I saw people said Apple won’t fix it even if you bought Apple care.

DenInformatiker wrote:

Did any of complain and manage to get a replacement because it’s unacceptable my screen is scratched like I don’t know and it is always in my pocket alone so not with key or anything else.

Apple doesn't warrant against cosmetic damage. Some have commented, Apple did offer a one time courtesy replacement, but the vast majority found apple unwilling to do so. The fact is glass can scratch if not protected. Your best bet is to put a decent quality screen protector on your phone NOW, which will hide the scratches you have and prevent future scratches.

Apple should have a recall on the iPhone pro max 16 screens. I have had iPhones over 10 years and never had a phone screen scratch like this and so easily. And it’s deep scratch! Why are they ignoring this?

Does sharing experiences on here even get viewed by Apple? I logged my case directly with a senior advisor to register presence. I hope everyone is doing the same bc complaining on here doesn’t get viewed by Apple correct?

I’m gutted. Had my 16Pro one week. Just noticed a scratch on the screen. Had an iPhone 13 for three years with no screen protector and no scratches. Now paid £1000 and have to fork out another £35 for a screen protector. I didn’t “do” anything to the screen. It’s just obviously from being in my bag. I am very disappointed.

Unfortunately i also have a small deep scratch only after 12 days on my iphone 16 pro. I had my 12 pro for 4 years and never had any scratches. Im really upset since i saved this money up to buy the new iphone. I went back to the Apple store to try and return it since its within the 14 days but the guy didn’t wanted to do anything. Im always super careful with my phone i never have it in my pocket with anything else so i have no idea where this scratch is coming from. I still have a appointment with the genius bar upcoming friday hopefully i will get a nice person that can help me out

mrokclomed270 wrote:

A lot of people replied, "Yes, buy a cheap screen protector." but that is not the point. Yes, of course, I bought the case and screen protector (It happened before I received my screen protector), but when you pay $1000+ for a product, do you expect me to buy a cheap screen protector? I expect something better. Yeah, you can say oh, it's always people complaining. I never complained since my iPhone one. And I am looking at my wife's iPhone 14 Pro Max; she had for two years without a screen protector and not even a scratch, let alone a .5" circle of scratches on my iPhone 16 Pro Max. And touch sensitivity is gone in the area of scratches.

Then complain to Apple. This is NOT Apple Support. This is a user to user only forum. Complaining here gets you nothing.