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Cricketman

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 30, 2008
267
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Got iPhone 15 pro max at launch. There are lots of scattered scratches all over my screen - I thought these were supposed to be more scratch resistant. I’m paying for Apple care +, does anyone have experience getting screen replacements for scratches?
 
Unlikely they're going to replace/fix for cosmetics. It's even in their T&Cs. Do you keep it in a pocket with keys?
 
The screen might be more scratch resistant but it's not scratch proof.

According to jerryrigeverything:

"still scratch[es] at a level 6 with deeper grooves at level 7 but level 6 does appear to be quite a bit more faint than usual"

So it looks like it's only improved slightly but it will still scratch.

I doubt Apple will replace it for every day cosmetic wear and tear. If you're worried about scratches then buy a screen protector. Unless Apple adds Diamond to the displays then it's still going scratch no matter what marketing Apple does.

 
I’m paying for Apple care +…
That's right, you're paying for AC+. AC+ is for damage requiring repair or replacement and that's what you pay for. You don't pay for Apple to repair/replace cosmetic damage. It's in the T&Cs and you agreed to it. Maybe some people have gotten a really nice genius at some point and managed to work the system, but cosmetic issues have never been covered by AC+.

Additionally, Apple recently just removed coverage from AC+ for hairline cracks in screens. So, if they won't cover that, they are not going to replace your screen or phone for scratches.

AC+ is not a "I don't like the wear and tear on my iPhone, so lets replace it" warranty.
 
Got iPhone 15 pro max at launch. There are lots of scattered scratches all over my screen - I thought these were supposed to be more scratch resistant. I’m paying for Apple care +, does anyone have experience getting screen replacements for scratches?
I'd give you a 2% chance of getting it replaced using AC+. Doesn't hurt to try though
 
Got iPhone 15 pro max at launch. There are lots of scattered scratches all over my screen - I thought these were supposed to be more scratch resistant. I’m paying for Apple care +, does anyone have experience getting screen replacements for scratches?
They're very scratch resistant. I'm super hard on my phones and have no scratches and I have no case, no screen protector. How are you carrying it around?
 
I don't understand nudists or cheap cases. Otterbox defender and Belkin glass screen protector installed at the Apple store and hasn't been naked since.
 
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I don't understand nudists or cheap cases. Otterbox defender and Belkin glass screen protector installed at the Apple store and hasn't naked since.
I don't understand people that buy beautiful slim phones, only to put it in ugly cases that makes it look like a tank. See, that applies both ways.

I have been enjoying my naked 15 Pro Max more than ever, and it looks pristine. And if I drop it, I just get an AppleCare replacement, no biggie.
 
I don't understand people that buy beautiful slim phones, only to put it in ugly cases that makes it look like a tank. See, that applies both ways.

I have been enjoying my naked 15 Pro Max more than ever, and it looks pristine. And if I drop it, I just get an AppleCare replacement, no biggie.

LOL!

When it comes to this device I guess I don’t care about thin and purty, I need it to work every day and don’t want to wait for it to be replaced. YMMV
 
I don't understand nudists or cheap cases. Otterbox defender and Belkin glass screen protector installed at the Apple store and hasn't naked since.
Because a lot of nudists aren't worried about wear and tear or imperfections, generally develop alternate means to protect and handle their devices and are unconcerned about resale value.

We don't abuse our devices or develop a sense of careless disregard or forgetfulness that a lot of case users have. Why care about handling if your security blanket is always going to cover for you?

Sure, some case users do not throw their devices around, but a lot do - because a case means they don't have to worry about the consequences. Us 'nudists' are taking that into constant consideration and it drives where we put our devices down or how we handle them. The stuff most case users don't want to think about.
 
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I don't understand nudists or cheap cases. Otterbox defender and Belkin glass screen protector installed at the Apple store and hasn't naked since.
I’ve always owned a case for my iPhones.

I’ve also almost always used them without the case. I don’t like the feel of cases, even high quality ones. I also appreciate the appearance of my phone and cases cover it up.

I just live with the possible consequences. Also I always pay for AC+ 🤣
 
Well I much prefer a ton of micro scratches than a macro crack. The screen is more susceptible to scratches because the material is softer and not as easily cracked.
 
I don't understand people that buy beautiful slim phones, only to put it in ugly cases that makes it look like a tank. See, that applies both ways.

I have been enjoying my naked 15 Pro Max more than ever, and it looks pristine. And if I drop it, I just get an AppleCare replacement, no biggie.
I do it because I don’t buy my iPhon for looks I buy it for functionality so no problem putting a case or screen protector on 👍🏻
 
I do it because I don’t buy my iPhon for looks I buy it for functionality so no problem putting a case or screen protector on 👍🏻
I've heard this argument before and I would argue that you buy the iPhone because of iOS and Apple's services. If Apple were open, and both iOS and Apple's services worked on devices other than an iPhone, would you still buy an iPhone?
 
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Got iPhone 15 pro max at launch. There are lots of scattered scratches all over my screen - I thought these were supposed to be more scratch resistant. I’m paying for Apple care +, does anyone have experience getting screen replacements for scratches?
What do the Terms and Conditions say?
 
I made the bad, stupid mistake of showing cat/mice or cat/bird videos on my 2018 12.9 IPP; well, I paid the price. They couldn’t get these birds or mice but they sure as heck punished the leather cover. Somewhere I have a video of a kitten tensing up and then pouncing on the IPP.

And facetiming one cat from iPad in the bedroom to cat by MBA in the living room - not a good idea!

Tom
 
Keys and change, specifically, won't scratch a modern gorilla glass, although a phone chassis would certainly develop "character." The world is packed full of micro debris plenty hard enough to abrade any glass short of sapphire, and any metal finish short of oil-drilling bits.

Micro-scratching is caused by dust containing oxides of iron, aluminum and silicates. It's everywhere, always has been, but it's worse around (and downwind) of cities and suburbs, because that's what we make buildings and roads and engines and oil-drilling bits out of. It all decays as dust that blows around and clings to you, due to static, water, grease and fiber entanglement.

In a nutshell, the modern world turns people into damp, greasy, walking flap-disks...
1718286044998.png

and there's nothing you can do about it.

But your phone wants to be like Master Chief...
1718287566939.png

Don't let it run around a hostile planet without a case and glass covers.

Some device parts can't be protected while remaining usable (e.g., certain buttons, ports, laptop screens, grills for speakers and cooling fans, etc.). However, brazen failure to protect known-fragile equipment, and then generating e-waste if it gets dinged, abraded or micro-scratched... Well, that strikes me as effete, Apple-istically irresponsible behavior.
 
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I do it because I don’t buy my iPhon for looks I buy it for functionality so no problem putting a case or screen protector on

Same here. I’m 41, so my days of looking lovingly at my mobile phone are long behind me. Mine goes in a case straight away as it gives it grip and disguises it a bit. The only person who should know I have an iPhone is me. My phone gets dropped a fair bit with my job and lifestyle (having kids) so I can’t be putting up with a broken phone every 5 minutes. Never bought AppleCare either and never intend to, Apple get enough of my money as it is.
 
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I don't understand people that buy beautiful slim phones, only to put it in ugly cases that makes it look like a tank. See, that applies both ways.

I have been enjoying my naked 15 Pro Max more than ever, and it looks pristine. And if I drop it, I just get an AppleCare replacement, no biggie.
There are plenty of ultra-slim, transparent cases. Including the official one from Apple.

Letting a phone get scratched and dinged up to hell is inconsiderate for most families. When many people buy a new Mac, iPad or iPhone, there are parents or kids waiting to claim the outgoing device. I make damn sure my devices stay in like-new condition.
 
I make damn sure my devices stay in like-new condition.
As do I. Only, without cases.

Both our kids were taught to respect other people's property and that included phones/devices. It helped that when they were young my kids had access to older laptops, older phones and an Android tablet We started them with toys.

My son didn't get his first actual working cellphone with his own line until he was 14. And what did I get him? An 8GB iPhone 4s in 2018. He had a 2GB data cap. He proved he could handle that and he got a brand new 64GB iPhone SE for his birthday in 2018 and a bump to a 6GB cap. His first computer was an iBook G3 in 2008 when he was 5. It had a broken Airport antenna. He took care of it.

My daughter got her first phone when she was around 12, my wife's old iPhone 5. That would have been 2020.

Both kids got phones because we needed to get a hold of them at school. Both kids got upgraded phones in 2021. What did we get them? The iPhone SE2. They are both still on the iPhone SE2.

My wife and I have a rule - our kids don't get better phones/devices than we do unless they are willing to pay the extra for it.

But my own kids have never been a reason to use a case.

PS, son is 20 now and daughter is 16.
 
I've heard this argument before and I would argue that you buy the iPhone because of iOS and Apple's services. If Apple were open, and both iOS and Apple's services worked on devices other than an iPhone, would you still buy an iPhone?
I think about this question all the time. If we're isolating just form factors, my answer is a solid NO. I'd run it on an Moto Razr 2023+ (or samsung z-flip) (I liked the form factor of the Razr 5G, with the characteristic "Chin"; the newer simple folding slab ain't as cooly architectural).

I always liked the flipper form factor, but I'm not sure modern folding slabs are up to dirty rough & tumble horse life. I believe I will buy a flipper as a side-piece, just to see if I can daily drive it, integrate it with a Mac, or figure out some workload other than daily carry. Maybe make a modular mobile workstation, or an inventory database in my car shop.

All that said, there's progressively more to differentiate Apple hardware - raising the height of Apple's garden walls: Chipset-based AI features that can only run on their hardware. That will lead to OS features that won't run WITHOUT those AI features, crafted specifically to retain platform users. For anyone concerned about intentional platform lockins/lockouts, things are about to go full wild west.
 
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I think about this question all the time. If we're isolating just form factors, my answer is a solid NO. I'd run it on an Moto Razr 2023+ (or samsung z-flip) (I liked the form factor of the Razr 5G, with the characteristic "Chin"; the newer simple folding slab ain't as cooly architectural).

I always liked the flipper form factor, but I'm not sure modern folding slabs are up to dirty rough & tumble horse life. I believe I will buy a flipper as a side-piece, just to see if I can daily drive it, integrate it with a Mac, or figure out some workload other than daily carry. Maybe make a modular mobile workstation, or an inventory database in my car shop.

All that said, there's progressively more to differentiate Apple hardware - raising the height of Apple's garden walls: Chipset-based AI features that can only run on their hardware. That will lead to OS features that won't run WITHOUT those AI features, crafted specifically to retain platform users. For anyone concerned about intentional platform lockins/lockouts, things are about to go full wild west.
My answer would also be no. My primary attraction to iPhone is iOS, but not Apple's services. But since Apple would never allow iOS to run on anything other than it's own hardware, I remain with iPhone until the day Apple does something with iOS that makes me no longer like it.
 
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