Early iPhone 12 Tests Show Ceramic Shield is Stronger and More Scratch Resistant Than iPhone 11 Glass

[Allthings-I]

To me, ‘drop tests’ really doesn’t prove anything. Because there’s so many variables when you actually drop a phone, like the surface type the phone lands on, the angle in which the phone lands, from what height, etc. Just because we see a ‘YouTube test’ of a drop, really isn’t indicative of everybody else’s experience how they drop their phone and if it was used in a case or not.

Ya because most of us aren't dropping our phones rom 9ft ceilings or 100ft cranes like some of the ridiculous drop tests do.

Most drops happen out of pocket at waist height [3ft? Average], fall out of your hand at chest height [5ft2? Average] slide out vehicle doors [1.5ft Average?], maybe slide down stairs? [Note I said Slide, not drop straight down because in my 10 years of iPhones, I have yet to drop it above waist height....maybe I should for the sake of YouTube

 

[goobot]

After a year of no scratches on the 11 Pro, I put it in my pocket and it came out with deep gouges on it. From an empty pocket. No idea how it happened.

It’s usually from little bits of sand that get in there.

 

[William Drummond]

The dog supervising over the shoulder gave this article all the credibility necessary. Someone give that dog some vitamin T. (Treat for you hoomans.)

 

[nylonsteel]

"...With a Mohs hardness test.."
whith all due repect to mohs process
the name reminds me of moe's bar in the simpsons
or even moe howard
Rockwell hardness sounds like a real test

 

[HarryWild]

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Yeah I’d still go for a screen protector. I tend to use my phones for over 2 years and I’m sure with it being mixed in my pocket with change and keys at times it would eventually leave micro scratches. When I resell my phones they’re almost always pristine as I case and screen protect right after unboxing.

I simply put my phone in my left pocket, and everything else in my right pocket. Never used a screen protector, and never had a scratch.

 

[Apple_Robert]

That guy is nothing but clickbait revenue.

 

[moldy lunchbox]

The drop test on youtube I've seen is indeed impressive. They were unable to break the front panel. Only the back broke.

You weren’t watching TechSmartt I guess

 

[paulchiu]

Apple's new iPhone 12 models are protected by a Ceramic Shield cover glass that has nano-ceramic crystals infused right into the glass to improve durability. According to Apple, Ceramic Shield offers four times better drop protection than the glass used for the iPhone 11 models.

YouTube channel MobileReviewsEh conducted some tests on the iPhone 12 using a force meter to compare its performance to the iPhone 11.

With a force meter that measures in newtons, the iPhone 11 was able to withstand 352 newtons of force, while the iPhone 12 was able to withstand 442 newtons of force. The Ceramic Shield of the iPhone 12 significantly outperformed the iPhone 11's cover glass.

In a separate scratch test, the iPhone 12 was able to withstand scratching from keys, coins, rocks, and a box cutter, receiving no scratches on the display.

With a Mohs hardness test, the 6 and 7 points were able to leave scratches on the iPhone 11, while the iPhone 12 stood up to the 6 point and saw some faint scratches with the 7 point. The 8 point left significant scratches on both. For reference, the 8 point is also able to scratch the sapphire lens of the iPhone.

The edges weren't particularly durable, and the back glass of the iPhone 12 appeared to scratch as easily as the back glass of the iPhone 11. From MobileReviewsEh:Now that iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models are out in the wild, we should be seeing additional drop and durability tests in the coming days that will give us a better idea of how the Ceramic Shield compares to the glass of earlier iPhones.

Keep in mind that these kinds of force tests and drop tests are not always going to see the same results, and can vary based on where a force meter is applied or the angle that an iPhone happens to fall at, so it's always best to use caution with with devices made of glass, Ceramic Shield or no Ceramic Shield.

Article Link: Early iPhone 12 Tests Show Ceramic Shield is Stronger and More Scratch Resistant Than iPhone 11 Glass

So, are my keys like a #6 or a #7?
Safe to go bare naked on the iPhone 12 Pro?

 

[Deliro]

Cant imagine living for 2 years with a screen protector for that reason.

Oh i usually swap them out once or twice. But surprisingly the protectors rarely have noticeable scratches.

edit - besides better on my screen protector than on my actual iPhone screen.

 

[4jasontv]

Ya because most of us aren't dropping our phones rom 9ft ceilings or 100ft cranes like some of the ridiculous drop tests do.

Most drops happen out of pocket at waist height [3ft? Average], fall out of your hand at chest height [5ft2? Average] slide out vehicle doors [1.5ft Average?], maybe slide down stairs? [Note I said Slide, not drop straight down because in my 10 years of iPhones, I have yet to drop it above waist height....maybe I should for the sake of YouTube

And it never fall flat. It's going to hit a corner.

Anyway, my last two iPhone haven't cracked but eventually the camera starts having issues with focus. I can't be the only one who notices I can't do QR codes after awhile...

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Cant imagine living for 2 years with a screen protector for that reason.

I have the same issue with keys and scratches. I do it not really because of resale value though. Whenever a protector gets too scratched I can just slap on a new one and get an unblemished screen again. There’s also the added benefit of the protector absorbing most of the impact when my iPhone lands on a hard surface.

 

[ipedro]

What The FFFFur are you doing dad?

 

[ghanwani]

Would AppleCare+ cover this?

 

[ian87w]

After a year of no scratches on the 11 Pro, I put it in my pocket and it came out with deep gouges on it. From an empty pocket. No idea how it happened.

The Apple fairies are telling you to upgrade...

 

[ian87w]

why they didn't include ceramic shield on the iPad, there is so much screen there to be scratched

I don't think it's expected to put an iPad in your pocket.
Besides, Apple wants you to buy those iPad smart covers.

 

[DirtySocks85]

Yeah I’d still go for a screen protector. I tend to use my phones for over 2 years and I’m sure with it being mixed in my pocket with change and keys at times it would eventually leave micro scratches. When I resell my phones they’re almost always pristine as I case and screen protect right after unboxing.

This is why I developed the habit a long time ago that my left front pocket is for my phone and only my phone. Nothing else goes in that pocket.

 

[posguy99]

I want user replaceable plastic. I'm so done with glass. I want to throw it against the wall and have it survive like a nokia. $450 to replace the back glass is just ludicrous.

And go back to resistive touch non-multitouch displays as well? I don't think you can do any of that with a plastic display.

 

[Btaylor_prod]

It’s a freaking phone, unless your carrying uncut gems in your pocket there’s no need to be concerned. I haven’t used a screen protector since the iPhone 4. I’ve always carried it in my pocket and hardly ever notice scratches. If you’re actually using your phone and not obsessively looking for micro scratches you’ll be fine without a screen protector. I’ve never seen my phone scratch so bad that it prevented me from enjoying it. If it did, I would just buy a new one.

 

[adammusic]

Still ordered a screen protector for iphone 12 pro.
The icarez full coverage ones on amazon rule.
Used them since the X.
zero complaints
Plus spending $20 over the year in screen protectors coverts to probably more when reselling it.

 

[SWAON]

I was hoping for JerryRigEverything video on iPhone 12s so far ... let the truth shines

 

[terraphantm]

And go back to resistive touch non-multitouch displays as well? I don't think you can do any of that with a plastic display.

Plastic multitouch exists. Nintendo switch is an example. And in fact the original iPhone was going to be plastic until Steve got pissed off at how easily the plastic scratched.

 

[robertts]

I'm surprised no one has addressed the polished bezels on the iPhone 12 Pro yet. I'm curious if those are even more susceptible to scratches than previous versions.

 

[MrCrowbar]

To me, this is the best news ever. Never used a screen protector on my iPhones since 2007, managed to never get a scratch or smash the screen. Granted, my current phone is a 2016 SE, it's stuttering a lot on iOS14 and there's too many apps or websites where a button is off-screen because the devs aren't testing it for tiny vintage smartphones...

After hearing how terrible the 11 pro is in terms of scratching, I was afraid to have to use a screen protector, I just hate how they look and feel. The drop resistance is a nice bonus, should be even better on the mini since it's lighter and has less momentum in it when hitting the ground. It still might be thinner and/or different "glass" mixture, but I'll take my chances.

I hope I can check out the iPhones at the store to find the right color. I'm still hoping the 12 pro feels okay in my hand (I would enjoy the telephoto lens very much for portraits) but the 12 mini case I already have just feels right in the hand and pocket.

 

[GuruZac]

To me, ‘drop tests’ really doesn’t prove anything. Because there’s so many variables when you actually drop a phone, like the surface type the phone lands on, the angle in which the phone lands, from what height, etc. Just because we see a ‘YouTube test’ of a drop, really isn’t indicative of everybody else’s experience how they drop their phone and if it was used in a case or not.

Totally agree, and honestly, drop tests on YouTube piss me off. Such a terrible waste of a phone. If those YouTubers are so inclined to destroy a phone, why not raffle it away.