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My launch day 5 has been in my pocket every day with keys and a wallet with a metal emblem. The screen has no scratches on it. The metal back has a bunch of scratches.
 
Haven't used a screen protector since I went iPhone. I'm sorry, I went through a brief Ghost Armor phase with my 4S, but peeled it off long before I stopped using the phone. White iPhone + Ghost Armor + A few months of use = Zombie iPhone. Which doesn't look nearly as cool as it sounds. Plus, the ONE time I dropped it, I was drunk on a New Year's eve, and it landed on a corner of the phone - where Ghost Armor does not cover. I had a very tiny, barely noticeable dent, but it helped me realize that even on the rare occasion when I'm abusing my phone, Ghost Armor isn't foolproof. You still have to be careful (unless you're using, like, an Otterbox or something ;))

The trick to the Naked iPhone lifestyle is to not be irresponsible with your iPhone (as I was New Year's Eve.) Most of the time (read: Not that one New Year's Eve) I keep my phone in my pocket, or wrapped tightly in my hand. Don't put your phone in your pocket with your keys. Don't throw your phone in your purse with the 800 other things you keep in there. I've seen the inside of purses before, there are plenty of compartments you can fit it in, if it won't fit in your tight jean pockets.

Otherwise, get a screen protector. :) Myself, I hated the texture of most of them and I could never successfully apply one without there being bubbles. To each his own. But no, you don't need to have a screen protector if you're moderately careful with your phone.
 
I've been using electric devices without screen protectors since the gameboy. My PSP was scratch like hell and still perfectly fine to game on. If you don't use a screen protector sure you'll develop a few scratches over the devices lifetime but they'll be minor and won't affect performance whatsoever. I don't get why people obsess over screen protectors. They are a pain to use and totally destroy the feel of the device and screen quality. Seriously just don't do anything stupid like putting the phone in the same pocket as your keys and you'll be good.
 
Bottom line: the iPhone's screen is not scratch resistant. If if want absolute prevention of such an event, get a screen protector.

Wrong it's absolutely scratch resistant glass. It's not scratch proof. Nothing is, though sapphire would be affordable and close so I don't understand why we still have glass.
 
Bottom line: the iPhone's screen is not scratch resistant. If if want absolute prevention of such an event, get a screen protector.

It is scratch-resistant, but it's not scratch-proof. No matter how much Corning try to spin their gorilla glass as some type of miracle glass, it's still glass and is prone to scratches.

If apple used a sapphire screen (hopefully not too distant from now), the iPhones can be almost completely scratch-proof.
 
It is scratch-resistant, but it's not scratch-proof. No matter how much Corning try to spin their gorilla glass as some type of miracle glass, it's still glass and is prone to scratches.

If apple used a sapphire screen (hopefully not too distant from now), the iPhones can be almost completely scratch-proof.

100% Agreed!

I always recommend putting a screen protector on your iPhone just for the simple fact that it provides some sort of additional protect. Your better off with one than without one. I typically like to choose a screen protector that has the oleophobic coating and is ultra-clear.

I have used Zagg in the past, and they are great screen protectors. They also stand by their lifetime warranty. The Spigen tempered glass screen protectors are great too, but they can cause a gap around the home button which can be annoying if you don't put a home button sticker there.
 
I don't use a screen protector. I used them years ago on my 3G but not on my 4S. I do not like the way a screen protector changes, ever so slightly, the look of the display and I really don't like the way it feels to my fingertips when swiping the screen.

I always keep my phone in a front pants pocket, face toward my thigh so should I bump it by running into something (I can be clumsy!) I won't hit the screen. I also make sure that it is the only thing in that pocket.

I do use an Apple leather case on it.

I am careful where I put the phone down and usually try to place it screen up.

I clean it often with a microfiber cloth that I spray first with an eyeglass cleaner- misting the cloth, not the phone screen.

And, I always make sure to never use the screen if I have dirty hands that might have grit or anything on the tips of my fingers that might scratch the glass- say if I've been stacking sacks of concrete or digging in the dirt.
 
Without a screen protector, the screen WILL get scratched.

However, if you're not careless about it, it will only be limited to scratches that are faint and only visible in certain light at certain angles.

These aren't visible at all when the phone is in use.

Just be careful with it. Don't throw your phone into a pocket with keys, for instance, and you'll be fine.
 
Wrong it's absolutely scratch resistant glass. It's not scratch proof. Nothing is, though sapphire would be affordable and close so I don't understand why we still have glass.

Semantics. In term of helping the OP make a decision, the answer is that the iPhone's screen does scratch and if he wants to prevent this, get a screen protector. Thanks for giving practical contributions within this thread.
 
In my opinion, most of the people that had bad expierence are the people that bought those 5 screen protectors for a dollar on ebay from china. Those scratch and peel easy. These days if you buy a nice screen protector ike some of the zagg ones, and apply it right its hard to see/feel it and will last you the lifetime of your device. I always buy my phone and a premium screen protector and ask the apple or tmobile store to apply it, they do it perfect everytime.

I used a bumper case and screen protector on the front and back and there were no scratches anywhere not even tiny scuffs and a year of using. I have my spacegrey 5s now and also bumper case with screen protector on both sides and best case screen protector combo for me because the phone still looks and feels nice.
 
I never put a screen protector on my 4s. I paid the price though because it ended up having 2 huge scratches in the screen. I don't know what scratched it. No protector on my 5s. Going to take a gamble.
 
I don't like screen protectors. I used my 4S for 2 years, no scratches on the screen. My 3GS had 1 small barely noticeable scratch after 2 years. I keep it in my pocket with no other items or in it's own pocket in my purse. I use cases with a small lip to protect the screen in case I put it on a table face down.
 
I never put a screen protector on my 4s. I paid the price though because it ended up having 2 huge scratches in the screen. I don't know what scratched it. No protector on my 5s. Going to take a gamble.

Facepalm
 
I ordered a $2 screen protector yesterday off ebay. Not sure if it will be any good or not, but I figured it's worth a shot.

There is always a couple people in these threads who swear they never get any scratches. I'm not sure if they are just very careful or just have a different definition of scratch than I do. I always get light "scratches" on my phone from normal use. They are almost invisible when the screen is on, so it isn't a big deal anyway.

I never believe those that claim they have ZERO scratches. They either have poor eyesight or do not actively look for then in proper lighting.
 
Semantics. In term of helping the OP make a decision, the answer is that the iPhone's screen does scratch and if he wants to prevent this, get a screen protector. Thanks for giving practical contributions within this thread.

It is practical, because it *is* scratch-resistant glass. Which is what they asked. Scratch-resistant glass doesn't scratch nearly as easily as more plain glass formulations. Is that enough for the OP? Only they can decide that. For me, it's enough. Sure, it'll get some hairline scratches. Sure, I wish it was sapphire (much more scratch-resistant). But it's better than an ugly nasty screen protector :)

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I never believe those that claim they have ZERO scratches. They either have poor eyesight or do not actively look for then in proper lighting.

I'd agree, but actively looking for them in proper lighting is a LOT better than a screen protector where all but the best make a nasty looking mess of your screen in ANY lighting!
 
My girlfriends is another story. Couple of long micro scratches on her screen which is weird because her phone is always carried - never in her pocket or purse.

So don't get in fight with her... cause you might be scratched by accident. :p
 
It really depends on where and with what you keep your phone, iphone screens are really scratch resistant. I'm using mine with a protector and slim case :)
 
I recommend getting one. My mom has long nails and she scratched her GS4 which I think has a stronger glass than the iPhone. If someone like a girl with long nails uses your device. I recommend Tech Armors Screen protectors.
 
I used screen protector on my phones, back when Iphone 4 was out, i decided to go naked.... 1 week later i got a unexplicable large gash in it...hopefully I was able to get it swapped due to GPS issues. But I learned that in the day to day life of throwing things into pocket, even if no keys,

things can happen, and the iphone screen is not scratch proof

However, on my iPAD, i have it naked and its good since it dont go into the pocket... but a drop of something onto it might make a nice scratch


BTW, since the 5s takes any of the 5 screen protectors, you can find them dirt cheap at walgreens or cvs drug stores, I got a pack of 2 for 5 bucks
 
Following up on the original topic.
My 5s arrived today.
First thing I did after taking it out of the box was to install an Artwizz Scratch Stopper Matt Version screen protector.
After reading the thread I thought better safe than sorry.

Cheers!
 
i did not have a screen protector on my 5 and now not on my 5s... it would take a lot to scratch the screen.
 
I never believe those that claim they have ZERO scratches. They either have poor eyesight or do not actively look for then in proper lighting.

That's BS. Just because your phones always have scratches doesn't mean that's the case for *everyone.*

I had my 4s for two years with a case - never used a screen protector. There were no scratches on it. Granted, I take really good care of my phones, but the point is it is possible.


I recommend getting one. My mom has long nails and she scratched her GS4 which I think has a stronger glass than the iPhone. If someone like a girl with long nails uses your device. I recommend Tech Armors Screen protectors.

How the heck did she manage to do that?? I have medium to long nails most of the time and they don't scratch the screen with normal use.
 
That's BS. Just because your phones always have scratches doesn't mean that's the case for *everyone.*

I had my 4s for two years with a case - never used a screen protector. There were no scratches on it. Granted, I take really good care of my phones, but the point is it is possible.




How the heck did she manage to do that?? I have medium to long nails most of the time and they don't scratch the screen with normal use.

It may her purse but it may be her nails. Also do not get skinomi's screen protectors as here nails actually put little divots in the screen protector.
 
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