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I had my silver X in an Apple leather case for a year. The sides were not scratched but the exposed bottom had multiple micro scratches only visible under bright light. My XS in gold in the same case had no scratches on the bottom after a year.
 
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Three words. Cape Cod Cloths. You will get micro scratches, but one of the advantages of going silver is you polish out the scratches fairly easily with the cloths. I have used these on my SS watch and iPhones and they have done wonders. Note: As far as I know this only works for silver SS. I don't have experience with colored stainless steel (such as space grey of green) so I don't know i the Cape Cod Cloths remove the coloring on those variations.
 
Three words. Cape Cod Cloths. You will get micro scratches, but one of the advantages of going silver is you polish out the scratches fairly easily with the cloths. I have used these on my SS watch and iPhones and they have done wonders. Note: As far as I know this only works for silver SS. I don't have experience with colored stainless steel (such as space grey of green) so I don't know i the Cape Cod Cloths remove the coloring on those variations.
Does the cloth works with other iPhone colors such as midnight green or space gray??? Or is it only silver?
 
Does the cloth works with other iPhone colors such as midnight green or space gray??? Or is it only silver?
No it will actively damage the finish on the other colors. The silver is more prone to scratching but can be polished. The PVD coating on the other colors makes them more resistant to scratching. But, once they are scratched, that’s it. Trying to polish will just remove more of the coating.
 
Three words. Cape Cod Cloths. You will get micro scratches, but one of the advantages of going silver is you polish out the scratches fairly easily with the cloths. I have used these on my SS watch and iPhones and they have done wonders. Note: As far as I know this only works for silver SS. I don't have experience with colored stainless steel (such as space grey of green) so I don't know i the Cape Cod Cloths remove the coloring on those variations.

It won’t remove the color per se, but it will remove the protective PVD coating/tarnish it. Cape Cod cloths contain an abrasive solution, but you don’t need apply a lot of pressure either when cleaning the bands.
 
SS XS Max for a year in an Apple leather case. Very light, very small scratches where the case didn't cover it, hard to notice without looking very carefully. The phone in the pic looks like it was thrown into a tool box every day with files and sandpaper. Seriously, it's hard rot imagine what sort of stuff you'd have in a pocket that would cause that kind of scratching.

Spoken like someone who keeps it in a case all the time. I would take it out most weekends and kept in a case during work week. Take yours out here and there and see how fast it gets scratched.
 
Hi everyone.
I recently got the iPhone 11 Pro Max in silver end of September and I obviously put it in anextremely safe case because I cherish my devices. Recently took off the cover and saw scratches around the whole device much like in the photo you posted. Apparently we can use silver polish to remove the scratches, which is apparently an advantage with the silver model as you can’t with other colours?
Do you think that’s safe? I find it really upsetting to see so many scratches on a device that ive never placed so much TLC in before. I think it’s mainly from the cover 🤷‍♂️
Many thanks.
Mine is pretty scuffed and scratched and honestly I never notice unless I'm looking for it. The screen and back glass are still flawless. I used to be very anal about scratches but there are more important things in life really...
Thanks for sharing a photo! Seems to get pretty scratched up even with a case. Do you notice it when you are caseless? My gut says I won't really notice it
 
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Hi everyone.
I recently got the iPhone 11 Pro Max in silver end of September and I obviously put it in anextremely safe case because I cherish my devices. Recently took off the cover and saw scratches around the whole device much like in the photo you posted. Apparently we can use silver polish to remove the scratches, which is apparently an advantage with the silver model as you can’t with other colours?
Do you think that’s safe? I find it really upsetting to see so many scratches on a device that ive never placed so much TLC in before. I think it’s mainly from the cover 🤷‍♂️
Many thanks.
Yeah I used a Cape Cod cloth on my silver X and XS and it would buff most of them out, though you're fighting a losing battle as give it a couple of weeks and it'll be scratched again. Just got to try and not let it bother you!

FWIW I've switched to a (PVD-coated) Midnight Green 11 Pro with no discernible scratches on the steel band yet.
 
I had the silver X and the XS Max. Both were in the Apple silicone case all of the time apart from when I cleaned them!

I had both for about 12 months.

There were no scratches at all on the top or sides, there were a few on the exposed bit on the bottom, mainly where the lightning port is.

I think the microfiber lining of the case helps and for this reason I will only use Apple cases!
Yeah I used a Cape Cod cloth on my silver X and XS and it would buff most of them out, though you're fighting a losing battle as give it a couple of weeks and it'll be scratched again. Just got to try and not let it bother you!

FWIW I've switched to a (PVD-coated) Midnight Green 11 Pro with no discernible scratches on the steel band yet.
Thanks so much for your response. I actually just joined MacRumors now so I’m a newbie.
I thought I had just damaged my new device but you now gave me piece of mind knowing that all the silver devices do that and can’t do anything about it. Never again will I get silver.

Thanks so much for your help. Have a great weekend.
 
Hi everyone.
I recently got the iPhone 11 Pro Max in silver end of September and I obviously put it in anextremely safe case because I cherish my devices. Recently took off the cover and saw scratches around the whole device much like in the photo you posted. Apparently we can use silver polish to remove the scratches, which is apparently an advantage with the silver model as you can’t with other colours?
Do you think that’s safe? I find it really upsetting to see so many scratches on a device that ive never placed so much TLC in before. I think it’s mainly from the cover 🤷‍♂️
Many thanks.
What case are you using? I actually decided to go naked and there are only a few swirly looking scratches on the top of the band, everywhere else looks pristine.

Share a pic if you get a chance.
 
What case are you using? I actually decided to go naked and there are only a few swirly looking scratches on the top of the band, everywhere else looks pristine.

Share a pic if you get a chance.




It goes quite nicely with the silver 11 Pro Max.... just so frustrated about the scratches around the entire edge... going to use some silver polish. Hope it’ll work with the scratches.
Very tempted to also use it naked. Spoke to my dad he said my phone is insured so may give it a try 😂 Would never go naked with my 2019 iPad Pro 12.9 inch as much as I love that sleek feeling.
 



It goes quite nicely with the silver 11 Pro Max.... just so frustrated about the scratches around the entire edge... going to use some silver polish. Hope it’ll work with the scratches.
Very tempted to also use it naked. Spoke to my dad he said my phone is insured so may give it a try 😂 Would never go naked with my 2019 iPad Pro 12.9 inch as much as I love that sleek feeling.

If you end up polishing it and using a case, make sure to take it out and wipe it down every week as others have mentioned! That might help mitigate future scratches.
 
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If you end up polishing it and using a case, make sure to take it out and wipe it down every week as others have mentioned! That might help mitigate future scratches.
Thanks for the help and advice! Do you find the back of phone (when naked) get scratched when placed on a hard surface? The scratches on silver edges are inevitable even with a cover, but now also thinking about the back of the phones upholding.
 
Thanks for the help and advice! Do you find the back of phone (when naked) get scratched when placed on a hard surface? The scratches on silver edges are inevitable even with a cover, but now also thinking about the back of the phones upholding.

I generally try to avoid placing it down on hard surfaces whenever possible so most of the time it's either in my hand or in my pocket. When I'm at work, it'll be on my desk on top of a notebook. No scratches on the back, the matte glass seems to hold up really well.
 
Cape Cod polishing cloth is the answer. I use it in my Rolex Sub as well as in my Omega Speedmaster. Works wonders.
 
I generally try to avoid placing it down on hard surfaces whenever possible so most of the time it's either in my hand or in my pocket. When I'm at work, it'll be on my desk on top of a notebook. No scratches on the back, the matte glass seems to hold up really well.
Thanks so much!!!
 
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