Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

perezr10

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jan 12, 2014
1,999
1,476
Monroe, Louisiana
Most keys are made of brass. Lock manufacturers typically don’t want to make keys out of much harder metals because over time, it will damage the internals of the lock. It’s easier to replace the key than the lock.

ive Heard that The iPhone is a 6 on mohs scale and brass is a 3. So in theory, there should be no issues with keeping your iPhone in your pocket with your car keys. And yet, neither I, or anyone I know is willing to do that. Is this fear unfounded?
 

willmtaylor

macrumors G4
Oct 31, 2009
10,314
8,198
Here(-ish)
Most keys are made of brass. Lock manufacturers typically don’t want to make keys out of much harder metals because over time, it will damage the internals of the lock. It’s easier to replace the key than the lock.

ive Heard that The iPhone is a 6 on mohs scale and brass is a 3. So in theory, there should be no issues with keeping your iPhone in your pocket with your car keys. And yet, neither I, or anyone I know is willing to do that. Is this fear unfounded?
Which iPhone?
 

now i see it

macrumors G4
Jan 2, 2002
11,134
23,867
Don't keep any metal objects in the same pocket as an iPhone. No coins either. If you were to accidentally lean against your pocket that had the iPhone and keys in it, there's a good chance of cracking the screen
 
  • Like
Reactions: revmacian

newellj

macrumors G3
Oct 15, 2014
8,128
3,030
East of Eden
I haven't tried it, but even though brass is soft and glass is hard, there are coating on the display that are definitely going to scratch when they rub against brass, copper or zinc, much less harder metals, and I would bet that the glass itself (not just the coatings) will scratch, too. Use a glass screen protector. They're cheap these days and easy to replace.
 

nburwell

macrumors 603
May 6, 2008
5,527
2,422
DE
I mistakenly put my iPhone X and my car/house keys in the same pocket a couple years ago. The screen was scratched a bit, but nothing too severe.

With that said, I avoid putting my keys and credit card holder in the same pocket as my iPhone.
 

EM2013

macrumors 68020
Sep 2, 2013
2,486
2,320
I never put anything in the same pocket as my phone yet my max still has a lot of scratches on the screen so no I wouldn’t dare.
 

FlippyGonnaSnap

macrumors regular
Oct 23, 2019
191
117
No.

The glass is considerably harder then brass.

Basically have a look at any scratch test on YouTube with a glass screen device, keys never leave a trace.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SoN1NjA

HEK

macrumors 68040
Sep 24, 2013
3,547
6,080
US Eastern time zone
A lot if scratching in pockets is done by a few grains of sand that finds it’s way inside. Sand being same hardness as glass will definitely scratch the phone.

oh and any ladies with diamond stud ear rings, and a few guys as well. Imagine the nice scratches those diamond ear rings do as you hold phone up to ear for a call. ?
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,493
It’s funny, because I don’t even carry keys on me anymore. I have a key fob for my vehicle that’s essentially ‘keyless’, and entry to my house is through my garage door. I actually have no keys whatsoever and I don’t carry loose change, so my phone is in its pocket by itself. So for some, it’s a non- issue.
 

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Mar 25, 2013
2,721
1,239
Why would anyone think that keys and an iPhone go together in a pocket? Thats just foolishness to me not to mention sounds really uncomfortable.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.