Scratches on sapphire crystal?

[jkel777]

I noticed what appear to be scratches on the sapphire crystal of my series 9 stainless steel. The marks won’t come off with a microfiber so I assume they’re somehow scratches. I’ve definitely bumped it on things during ownership but nothing that could scratch sapphire.

Are these scratches on the sapphire crystal or oleophobic coating? I’ve read that the scratches may be due to scratching of the coating and not the sapphire crystal. Any way to remove them?

 

[xDKP]

I have the same kind of scratch on my Ultra - might also be the coating as it’s not something I can feel with finger/nail. Nothing to do as far as I can tell

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Apple has never used real sapphire for camera lenses or displays like a traditional watch so it is possible there’s some damage or it’s scuffed. If you can feel it take your fingernail and lightly scratch it a bit, your nail shouldn’t cause any damage since it’s softer than the screen material.

 

[jkel777]

I have the same kind of scratch on my Ultra - might also be the coating as it’s not something I can feel with finger/nail. Nothing to do as far as I can tell

That’s what I think it might be. I can’t feel it with my finger or fingernail.

Apple has never used real sapphire for camera lenses or displays like a traditional watch so it is possible there’s some damage or it’s scuffed. If you can feel it take your fingernail and lightly scratch it a bit, your nail shouldn’t cause any damage since it’s softer than the screen material.

I’ve heard the same, which is unfortunate at that price point. I can’t feel it with my finger or fingernail.

 

[goldmac2006]

dude did you drop or scuff it on hard rough surfaces in any way?
My Series 6 sapphire display still flawless after 1y.

 

[jkel777]

dude did you drop or scuff it on hard rough surfaces in any way?
My Series 6 sapphire display still flawless after 1y.

I mean, I've knocked it on some hard surfaces, but nothing with a hardness greater than sapphire (at least to my knowledge).

 

[goldmac2006]

I mean, I've knocked it on some hard surfaces, but nothing with a hardness greater than sapphire (at least to my knowledge).

Was it scuffed a lot or only for a moment?

 

[jkel777]

Was it scuffed a lot or only for a moment?

The only thing I can think of is knocking/brushing it against metal, but that shouldn’t scratch sapphire.

Either that or grains of sand that I somehow brushed against. I go to the coast a decent amount and there’s probably some residual sand in my car, clothes, etc.

 

[goldmac2006]

The only thing I can think of is knocking/brushing it against metal, but that shouldn’t scratch sapphire.

Either that or grains of sand that I somehow brushed against. I go to the coast a decent amount and there’s probably some residual sand in my car, clothes, etc.

Do you use a case during extreme activities? I wear one on my S6 when I go CNC machining.

 

[jkel777]

Do you use a case during extreme activities? I wear one on my S6 when I go CNC machining.

Nope, no case or screen protector. That was the whole point of getting the stainless steel model. I didn’t want to have to worry about dents in the case or scratches on the display. It’s my fault for thinking it was impervious to damage lol.

 

[Contact_Feanor]

I had little dimples in my sapphire display from my series 10 just a month after buying it. I went to the Apple Store to inform and they replaced it free of charge.

 

[jkel777]

I had little dimples in my sapphire display from my series 10 just a month after buying it. I went to the Apple Store to inform and they replaced it free of charge.

Interesting. I’m not able to do that, unfortunately. I do have AppleCare+ on my series 9, but it’ll probably be deemed “accidental damage” and I’ll have to pay $69 for a replacement.

And, I’ve heard that series 9 watches that get repaired or replaced do not come back with the blood oxygen sensor enabled. Mine currently has it and I don’t want to lose it.

 

[deckard666]

My go watch guy on YT says its real sapphire...