iPhone 11 Pro Glass quality has to improve

[rmoliv]

After two months of daily use my iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 5 have already collected a handful of screen scratches. Even though the scratches are barely visible under normal circumstances (only from certain angles under strong lighting) they are there. I’m very careful with my devices, never put them in the same pocket with other objects and always clean them with a lint-free microfiber cloth. However, I can’t avoid airborne hazards such as dust, the world isn’t a clean room, dust particles are everywhere. It’s high time glass resistance to scratches improves on Apple devices. I for one would prefer sapphire even if it breaks more easily.

 

[acorntoy]

Can't help but disagree. My Xs Max (and 8+ before it) have been amazingly durable living though daily life, the old phones seemed harder to scratch but cracked with a light tap on a hard surface. Xs Max in particular has been dropped on concrete etc and its glass is scratched but still fine. I can take micro scratches but can't deal with a shattered screen.

Especially with both sides now being glass again, peoples iPhone 4/4S were always shattered on at least one side, I've seen that a lot less with the new phones.

 

[jimmy_uk]

It's usually the coating that scratches so any improvement to this would be welcomed.

The problem is people knock or drop their devices. Most can live with a scratch so softer glass is probably preferable if it means it doesn't shatter or crack. It's very expensive to pay for iphone glass. One hard drop with a large sheet of sapphire and the weight of the iphone will probably result in a break.

I for one never understand how people can slide their phones in and out of pockets tens of times a day and not expect scratches especially if not using a screen protector.

 

[now i see it]

You're purposely looking for micro scratches by inspecting the screen carefully angled a certain way to the light to see if they exist.
Don't.

I have a 5 year iPhone I use every day a lot and I've never noticed a micro scratch on the screen ever. I also don't carefully examine it to see if one exists

 

[BugeyeSTI]

After two months of daily use my iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 5 have already collected a handful of screen scratches. Even though the scratches are barely visible under normal circumstances (only from certain angles under strong lighting) they are there. I’m very careful with my devices, never put them in the same pocket with other objects and always clean them with a lint-free microfiber cloth. However, I can’t avoid airborne hazards such as dust, the world isn’t a clean room, dust particles are everywhere. It’s high time glass resistance to scratches improves on Apple devices. I for one would prefer sapphire even if it breaks more easily.

Considering it will cost you $330 to replace the screen out of warranty on your 11Pro Max now, would you be willing to pay $450 for a sapphire screen replacement? Even though sapphire is extremely hard to scratch, it is also extremely brittle which means many more screens shattering due to minor drops. I can only imagine all the complaints on this forum that would arise due to the shatter prone, expensive sapphire screen Apple dared to put on their phone. I for one a completely fine with the screen Apple provides on current iPhones and other devices..

 

[44267547]

After two months of daily use my iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 5 have already collected a handful of screen scratches. Even though the scratches are barely visible under normal circumstances (only from certain angles under strong lighting) they are there. I’m very careful with my devices, never put them in the same pocket with other objects and always clean them with a lint-free microfiber cloth. However, I can’t avoid airborne hazards such as dust, the world isn’t a clean room, dust particles are everywhere. It’s high time glass resistance to scratches improves on Apple devices. I for one would prefer sapphire even if it breaks more easily.

I will say the ion-X Glass on the Series 5 Apple Watch is terrible. It does scratch very easily, which is one of the reasons why I upgraded to the Sapphire display.

But anyways, it’s worth noting that sometimes scratches might be more ‘surface based’ on the oleophobic coating, meaning, that might dissipate as the coating wears off, as it’s naturally organic. That’s happened to multiple members where they’ve had these very fine/hairline scratches on their displays, but they dissipate/wear off, because the coating wears off with usage over the course of time. It varies how deep the scratch is.

 

[JPack]

Shatter resistance vs. scratch resistance. You can’t have both.

Most people prefer scratches instead of cracks, so Apple tuned their formula for softer glass.

 

[Bethanie21]

If you’re really that bothered about scratches, put a screen protector on. It’s not difficult.

 

[aevan]

It's usually the coating that scratches so any improvement to this would be welcomed.

The problem is people knock or drop their devices. Most can live with a scratch so softer glass is probably preferable if it means it doesn't shatter or crack. It's very expensive to pay for iphone glass. One hard drop with a large sheet of sapphire and the weight of the iphone will probably result in a break.

I for one never understand how people can slide their phones in and out of pockets tens of times a day and not expect scratches especially if not using a screen protector.

Yeah, people usually don’t get that scratch resistance and shatter resistance are not only different things, but often also opposing things.

 

[44267547]

Yeah, people usually don’t get that scratch resistance and shatter resistance are not only different things, but often also opposing things.

I don’t disagree, but don’t you think it’s a silly thing to discuss ‘shatter resistance’. (Rhetorical) I mean, 99% of consumers use their phone in cases anyways, and if the phone hits the surface from a specific height, can we really blame Apple because it shattered? What about the probability of laws with physics ....like the A.) height the phone was dropped from, B.) surface type the phone landed on, and C.) Angle the phone landed, all affect the impact of a shatter.

If you look at the construction of smart phones today, they’re all fragile, because they are composed of nothing more than glass. I think it’s interesting for those who actually think smart phones should be more ‘shatter resistant’ because they drop their phone based on the variables that I mentioned above.

 

[bpeeps]

After two months of daily use my iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 5 have already collected a handful of screen scratches. Even though the scratches are barely visible under normal circumstances (only from certain angles under strong lighting) they are there. I’m very careful with my devices, never put them in the same pocket with other objects and always clean them with a lint-free microfiber cloth. However, I can’t avoid airborne hazards such as dust, the world isn’t a clean room, dust particles are everywhere. It’s high time glass resistance to scratches improves on Apple devices. I for one would prefer sapphire even if it breaks more easily.

You say you'd prefer sapphire until your screen shatters a couple of times and you're left with a hefty bill. Then you're right back on here complaining about the opposite. Just use a screen protector if scratches bother you that much. It's not the best solution, but it is a solution to your specific problem. We've come a long way since the iPhone 4 glass, best not to retread on that.

 

[sjperformance]

If you’re really that bothered about scratches, put a screen protector on. It’s not difficult.

Yup. And the all coverage screen protector which protects the notch area is a plus. Some people can’t even tell I have a screen protector on my pro Max.

 

[Aydy]

I use a screen protector from day one of ownership. I sell my phones when upgrading and do what I can (within reason) to be able to describe them as mint, excellent condition. Scratches do make a difference to potential resale value. Slap a case & protector on there and forget about it.

 

[Falhófnir]

I've noticed the glass on my 8 plus has picked up more scratches than the 6 plus did - I believe I have heard more recent Gorilla Glasses are more shatter resistant but less scratch resistant, which would explain that.

 

[aevan]

I don’t disagree, but don’t you think it’s a silly thing to discuss ‘shatter resistance’. (

Not at all, because while glass can’t be completely shatter-proof, you do have glass that is more resistant to shatter than others. As for the case - no, a case won’t prevent weak glass from shattering. Only in combination with a strong glass can it be effective. Also, a lot of people don’t want to carry a case. I usually don’t, for example.

 

[m0sher]

Lesson learned here: Put a screen protector on.

I put one on the moment I take it out of the box. Two years later when I turn in my device, my display is as pristine as the day I got it.

Whenever I get scratches on my screen protector, I peel off the screen protector and get a warranty replacement from zagg for $5.99 to have a pristine display again.

I can’t live with too many scratches because once you see a scratch my OCD can’t take my eyes off of it anytime I view anything on my display and it drives me crazy.

It’s easier to replace the screen protector than the entire display.

As for the glass itself being more scratch resistant is welcome but no one can expect it to be 100% scratch-less glass.

 

[rmoliv]

Thing is, a screen protector shouldn’t have to be necessary in order to avoid scratches from normal and careful usage of the device. The glass should be resistant to the main types of dust present at homes, clothes, and in the air in general. As far as my experience goes, it isn’t. But maybe it’s just the oleophobic coating and the thin, hairline scratches might end up wearing off as others have said.

As to the watch I think the aluminum model should have sapphire as well. It’s just stupid that only the more expensive ones have it. But oh well, not surprising really coming from Apple.

 

[newellj]

Thing is, a screen protector shouldn’t have to be necessary in order to avoid scratches from normal and careful usage of the device. The glass should be resistant to the main types of dust present at homes, clothes, and in the air in general. As far as my experience goes, it isn’t. But maybe it’s just the oleophobic coating and the thin, hairline scratches might end up wearing off as others have said.

As to the watch I think the aluminum model should have sapphire as well. It’s just stupid that only the more expensive ones have it. But oh well, not surprising really coming from Apple.

I don't know whether you're right about what "should" be with iPhone displays. I started using glass screen protectors years ago and have been very happy.

On the Apple Watch, though, I do know what shouldn't be, or at least what shouldn't be standard: sapphire glass (which in reality is just a thin laminate element in the composite "glass" display surface). As JPack pointed out above, there is a shatter vs. scratch choice. But more practically as an everyday issue, the reflections on the sapphire glass are terrible. The sapphire glass AW is very difficult to read in bright sunlight at any brightness level, while the ion glass is easily read in direct sunlight even turned down all the way.

 

[44267547]

As to the watch I think the aluminum model should have sapphire as well. It’s just stupid that only the more expensive ones have it. But oh well, not surprising really coming from Apple.

If Apple were to include a sapphire display for the aluminum, two things would happen: #1] It would only increase the cost of the aluminum Apple Watch, which would affect sales for that specific model, because it is their ‘entry-level’ model. And #2.] It would also conflate against the stainless model, which is one of the main attractions to stainless model with the Sapphire display.

 

[thedalepool]

Shatter resistance vs. scratch resistance. You can’t have both.

Most people prefer scratches instead of cracks, so Apple tuned their formula for softer glass.

.

Hi, good sir. I have this small straight hairline scratch looking on my iphone 8. Im not sure if its a crack or a scratch. If I run my fingernails through it, I can feel it. Please help me determine what is it.
[automerge]1576407231[/automerge]

After two months of daily use my iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 5 have already collected a handful of screen scratches. Even though the scratches are barely visible under normal circumstances (only from certain angles under strong lighting) they are there. I’m very careful with my devices, never put them in the same pocket with other objects and always clean them with a lint-free microfiber cloth. However, I can’t avoid airborne hazards such as dust, the world isn’t a clean room, dust particles are everywhere. It’s high time glass resistance to scratches improves on Apple devices. I for one would prefer sapphire even if it breaks more easily.

Hi, good sir. I have this small straight hairline scratch looking on my iphone 8. Im not sure if its a crack or a scratch. If I run my fingernails through it, I can feel it. Please help me determine what is it.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

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Hi, good sir. I have this small straight hairline scratch looking on my iphone 8. Im not sure if its a crack or a scratch. If I run my fingernails through it, I can feel it. Please help me determine what is it.
[automerge]1576407231[/automerge]

Hi, good sir. I have this small straight hairline scratch looking on my iphone 8. Im not sure if its a crack or a scratch. If I run my fingernails through it, I can feel it. Please help me determine what is it.

No picture, no way to help determine anything...

 

[Lekro]

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Hi, good sir. I have this small straight hairline scratch looking on my iphone 8. Im not sure if its a crack or a scratch. If I run my fingernails through it, I can feel it. Please help me determine what is it.
[automerge]1576407231[/automerge]

Hi, good sir. I have this small straight hairline scratch looking on my iphone 8. Im not sure if its a crack or a scratch. If I run my fingernails through it, I can feel it. Please help me determine what is it.

Is it running to the edge of the glass?

 

[Wide opeN]

The screens SHOULD NOT scratch so easily. Like seriously...

 

[FeliApple]

As a few users said, shatter resistance or scratch resistance. You can’t have both. I would totally have shatter resistance. Scratches are easily solvable, put a screen protector on.

 

[plucky duck]

I have a tempered glass on day one, along with a case, so it's a non issue for me. Upfront cost is about $25, but definitely worth the peace of mind, and better than having Apple upcharge me another $100 for the feature.