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Which model will show scratches more? Silver or grey?
- Thread starter MCube74
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Depends on what you're referring to. The silver has the surgical stainless edges surrounding the iPhone, which will likely scratch. However the space gray has a PVD coating around the stainless edges to help protect it.
The glass backings will obviously be the same.
If the stainless steel band is similar to the Apple Watch case, I feel the gray version will make scratches more evident. Once scratched, the PVD coating cannot be polished unlike the silver/white version.
They'll both will scratch the same, so might as well throw a case on it.
The reason why I am asking is because I have been using a black or grey phone all this time. Looking for a change.
Also the silver stainless steel on the IPhone X Silver will match my Stainless steel Apple Watch 2.
I know the Stainless steel will show scratches but will the silver one show less than the black Stainless steel on the Space Grey model?
Plan on getting a DBrand or Slickwraps to cover the back only. The frame will probably not be covered. Unless I can use 3M transparent tape to protect the frame.
Also the silver stainless steel on the IPhone X Silver will match my Stainless steel Apple Watch 2.
I know the Stainless steel will show scratches but will the silver one show less than the black Stainless steel on the Space Grey model?
Plan on getting a DBrand or Slickwraps to cover the back only. The frame will probably not be covered. Unless I can use 3M transparent tape to protect the frame.
If you are worried about scratches just get some aluminum polish. Get something like this and it will remove the scratches on the edges.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009H519Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009H519Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
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Can I use this as I have this at home?
Can use only for Silver SS or also for the black?
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Can I use this as I have this at home?
Can use only for Silver SS or also for the black?
I would't use it on the SG model.
Likely yes. Surgical grade stainless that is used on the bands surrounding the iPhone X, is similar to that of 316 L stainless used for the Apple Watch stainless model. I have used the Cape Cod cloth for the stainless model Apple Watch and it remove scratches with ease.
Well don't intend to use it right away. Hopefully by the time I need to use anything, there will be articles on them.
So the SG model is hopeless for scratches?
The Space gray bands uses a PVD coating, which allegedly is supposed to help strengthen and protect the stainless. I don't know that the Cape Cod cloth would be effective or not. Ultimately depends on the durability of the PVD coating.
The SG model looks nice and so does the Silver one.
The 2 reasons for me to get the Silver one are to have a new color and to match my Apple Watch. When I get Apples wireless charger it will look great side by side
If you scratch the space gray model, I don’t think you’ll be able to polish the scratches away.
That's likely true and that's the caveat to the space gray model, is that the scratches will likely be permanent, assuming they penetrate the PVD coating.
Could someone point to a reference that PVD somehow strengthens or protects. All the Apple website says is that its a colouring technique and NO mention of it providing any additional resilience.
As others have said, even if PVD does provide some protection, it is unlikely to be as tough as DLC on the watches and if it does scratch will be silver underneath. Micro abrasions will polish out easily from the pure stainless steel silver with a cape cod cloth. Really tough to choose as neither are great for those pedantic about their phones......
PVD is just the process used to coat surfaces...DLC is one of the types of coating that can be used. There is no statement from what I’ve seen that the iphone x uses a DLC coating or not. Some have speculated that the X is also a DLC coating applied by the PVD process since Apple stopped using the DLC terminology with the Apple Watch series 1 and on. I would have liked to believe that, however I have my doubts....as the color of DLC is closer to black like the Space black Apple Watch....and I’m not sure that color can be changed into something like the space gray.
PVD coats are not all the same...some more durable than others...DLC being the best. But they can be pretty durable and more resilient to scratches than polished stainless steel. That being said if PVD coats are scratched deep enough, it will show the metal underneath. Polished stainless steel will tend to show micro scratches much easier....but can also be polished out with products like cap cod polishing cloths....which you can’t do with PVD.
I guess we’ll seen soon enough how durable the SG x band will be.
PVD coats are not all the same...some more durable than others...DLC being the best. But they can be pretty durable and more resilient to scratches than polished stainless steel. That being said if PVD coats are scratched deep enough, it will show the metal underneath. Polished stainless steel will tend to show micro scratches much easier....but can also be polished out with products like cap cod polishing cloths....which you can’t do with PVD.
I guess we’ll seen soon enough how durable the SG x band will be.
We will indeed. I have a Silver iPhone X to pick up on the 3rd (hopefully). Thanks for the clarity on process vs coating
My space grey 8 shows micro scratches really bad, and I’m always super careful with my iPhone. I had to put a screen protector on the back. Get ready to cover it, space grey X owners. 
First off, physical vapor deposition or PVD, does not nearly have the strength that diamond like carbon coating or DLC does. PVD simply a method that is used to apply a film or protective layer over a material to help strengthen and protect against corrosion and scratching. PVD is most common of a process to be used on firearms For protection. I don't think it's necessarily Apples goal to discuss in detail about what PVD is on their website, given that one could research exactly what it is.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_vapor_deposition
http://www.semicore.com/what-is-pvd-coating
Direct quote from article:
"PVD produces coatings with superior hardness, durability and resistance to wear. PVD Coatings reduce friction for high performance moving parts making them widely used in the aerospace and automotive industry, and for cutting tools where long lasting durability is the crucial success factor."
The diamond like carbon coating used on the Apple Watch space black is more of a protective paint and is extremely durable. When Apple actually did advertise the DLC used on the Apple Watch black stainless at one point, they never actually physically talked about how durable it was either. However, Apple no longer mentions the use of DLC on the space black Apple Watch anymore on the website, although they still do use it.
