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Question: iPhone 11 screen scratches

my wife and me have put our brand new iphones 11 inside our pocket pants and both screens get scratched the second day of use (mines right in the selfie camera, apple says "without mal function"...). Has someone experimented somethg similar? We are really dissapointed, apple only cares if you have bought "apple care"....we cant use the screen without a protection: worst screen ever....👎

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 11

Posted on Sep 25, 2019 8:01 PM

Question marked as Solved

Answer:

Answer:

I have the same issue as well. The screen feels like it can get scratches or smears when not even in contact with sharp or rough surfaces. Never had this issue with previous generation iPhones. Not impressed.

Posted on Sep 28, 2019 11:54 AM

Helpful answers

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 2:58 PM in response to zero-or-one In response to zero-or-one

I have a legit crack/scratch in my screen that showed up out of nowhere. No drop, no incident... but I can feel it with my nail, but its not a crack in the sense that it's emanated out or any spider webs. Just a small line-chunk out of the front facing glass, along with a separate small chunk missing a few millimeters away. Truly almost seems like a defect in the manufacturing to have appeared after 24 hours of use without incident.

Sep 28, 2019 2:58 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 7:08 AM in response to MatiasMB In response to MatiasMB

Mine's more like a finger smear, but doesn't go away. It's more disturbing than a scratch.

There are several posts I found related to this too. I contacted support which suggested a physical check of the device. But not sure what the solution would be.

I have used the iPhone since the first generation. I never install any screen protector, and I never had any serious scratch whatsoever. This is the first time I experience something like this.

Sep 28, 2019 7:08 AM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 30, 2019 4:02 AM in response to KaeBFly In response to KaeBFly

Basic scratch resistance is fundamental to a touch screen display. I have never put any screen protector on my iPhones, the same way I never did with the windscreen on my car. Because they never needed it. This early behaviour in these iPhones 11 is a bit alarming. This discussion thread here is to discover whether and if this is a common problem (isolated, or not) and what is the solution. Hiding the flaw with screen protector is not a solution, but a choice one can make after the fact.

Sep 30, 2019 4:02 AM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 4:45 PM in response to zero-or-one In response to zero-or-one

Pretty much the exact same thing. They feel less like scratches and more like some sort of permanent smudge. This was from 5 days of use in a pocket.

Sep 28, 2019 4:45 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 3:36 PM in response to cperdue In response to cperdue

The same happened to my iPhone Pro. I just got it yesterday and kept it in a pocket with nothing else. Less than a day later and there's already a scratch. I didn't have this problem with the iPhone X.

Sep 28, 2019 3:36 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 6:46 PM in response to zero-or-one In response to zero-or-one

This is somewhat consistent with what I experience. There's no Apple store around me at the moment, so I'll have to wait till I travel to a place that has to have them checked out, but I do have an open case with Apple support. I tried cleaning the said scratch with a little bit of toothpaste, no dice.

Looks like this is a real issue affecting the iPhone 11 Pro? Anyone having the 11 with this issue?

Sep 28, 2019 6:46 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 29, 2019 5:37 PM in response to simplysimpler In response to simplysimpler

Not to diminish what any of you are experiencing but every year the same things seem to be echoed. There will be people that say their phone shows scratches/nicks inexplicably and that there must be a defect because previous models did it do it. And that may be true for them but there is always at least one thread posted echoing the same complaint. Only thing that can be suggested besides the obvious (even though not loved by those that hate doing it...that's using a screen protector of some sort and/or a case) would be to report it to Apple and determine if it's really a defect or just bad luck. For those that are near an Apple store and feel like it's a defect should go there and let them see the device and observe how the screen looks and then while there replicate the issue. If the screen is truly faulty it should be easy to make a new scratch/smudge/scrap appear if the only thing that caused it before was putting it into an empty pocket for example. Makes it difficult for them to not be willing to replace the device if you can show the issue happens. Probably not what anyone wants to hear but being able to show evidence absolutely helps more than showing damage after the fact and wanting them to believe the damage happened out of nowhere. Not saying any of you are lying but imagine how many people do or would claim scratches they know they created by being careless occurred out of nowhere.

I would be frustrated if it happened to me no doubt but I've been very fortunate. Never had a scratched screen or cracks on any iPhone. Yes I've dropped them countless times, tossed them with abandon, etc but I've also always used a screen protector (always cheap ones) and a case...usually an Otterbox Strada but I do so because I know that I always plan to sell my device and by taking these measures my iPhones have always looked like new making get top dollar (far more than any of these trade in offers ever give). Usually the first week or two has me using a cheap case to hold me over while I wait for the Strada or this time the Nomad folio to arrive while keeping a trimmed down version of the plastic that comes on the iPhone in place until my cheap $5.99 3 pack arrives from Amazon in place to keep the screen pretty safe. I say all of this to say that I have been pretty lucky to not have an issue on any of my iPhones or the others in my home (iPhone 11 product red and 2 iPhone 11 pro gold)...although I did have a mini scare when I dropped a thick heavy palette corner down directly on my iPhone 11 pro Max gouging the plastic and making me terrified that I had taken a chunk out of the screen. Thankfully no damage to the screen. No scratch or anything. That was pure luck because it absolutely should have had some significant damage if not a full fledge shatter. Definitely made me think long and hard about adding AppleCare+ immediately 😂

Hope you all are able to get some assistance with the scratches but if not...consider a screen protector at minimum. The cheap ones I use don't alter the feel of the screen at all. Again, I get these not so much for concerns about cracks but to ensure the screen doesn't get surface scratches solely for preservation of resell value.

Sep 29, 2019 5:37 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 29, 2019 5:10 PM in response to Hurley28 In response to Hurley28

My iPhone 11 looks worse after 1 week than my iPhone 7 did after 3 years. I'll be going to my Apple store and complaining. I haven't bought AppleCare yet but might have to at this rate. :(

FWIW, it doesn't take sharp or metallic objects to cause scratches. Simple normal usage or pockets, setting on tables, etc.

Sep 29, 2019 5:10 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 6:17 PM in response to zero-or-one In response to zero-or-one

Haven't experienced anything like you all are showing on any of the devices we have (an 11 and 2 11 Pro Max) but to be fair we do always put the cheap screen protectors on every device regardless (not the glass screen protectors...). Some of the pics look like something gouged they screen although I know you all are saying nothing touched them. The permanent fingerprint looking ones are real mysterious. What has Apple said about these if you were able to take it in to show them. Sorry if I missed the info on that if you already said so.

Sep 28, 2019 6:17 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 11:53 PM in response to MatiasMB In response to MatiasMB

From the photos posted here, looks like the issues appear on a midnight green 11 Pro? Mine is. I wonder if the 11, and the max have the same issue?

Sep 28, 2019 11:53 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 7:08 AM in response to MatiasMB In response to MatiasMB

Mine's more like a finger smear, but doesn't go away. It's more disturbing than a scratch.

There are several posts I found related to this too. I contacted support which suggested a physical check of the device. But not sure what the solution would be.

I have used the iPhone since the first generation. I never install any screen protector, and I never had any serious scratch whatsoever. This is the first time I experience something like this.

Sep 28, 2019 7:08 AM

Question marked as Solved

Sep 28, 2019 11:54 AM in response to simplysimpler In response to simplysimpler

I have the same issue as well. The screen feels like it can get scratches or smears when not even in contact with sharp or rough surfaces. Never had this issue with previous generation iPhones. Not impressed.

Sep 28, 2019 11:54 AM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 2:58 PM in response to zero-or-one In response to zero-or-one

I have a legit crack/scratch in my screen that showed up out of nowhere. No drop, no incident... but I can feel it with my nail, but its not a crack in the sense that it's emanated out or any spider webs. Just a small line-chunk out of the front facing glass, along with a separate small chunk missing a few millimeters away. Truly almost seems like a defect in the manufacturing to have appeared after 24 hours of use without incident.

Sep 28, 2019 2:58 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 3:36 PM in response to cperdue In response to cperdue

The same happened to my iPhone Pro. I just got it yesterday and kept it in a pocket with nothing else. Less than a day later and there's already a scratch. I didn't have this problem with the iPhone X.

Sep 28, 2019 3:36 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 4:45 PM in response to zero-or-one In response to zero-or-one

Pretty much the exact same thing. They feel less like scratches and more like some sort of permanent smudge. This was from 5 days of use in a pocket.

Sep 28, 2019 4:45 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 6:17 PM in response to zero-or-one In response to zero-or-one

Haven't experienced anything like you all are showing on any of the devices we have (an 11 and 2 11 Pro Max) but to be fair we do always put the cheap screen protectors on every device regardless (not the glass screen protectors...). Some of the pics look like something gouged they screen although I know you all are saying nothing touched them. The permanent fingerprint looking ones are real mysterious. What has Apple said about these if you were able to take it in to show them. Sorry if I missed the info on that if you already said so.

Sep 28, 2019 6:17 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 6:46 PM in response to zero-or-one In response to zero-or-one

This is somewhat consistent with what I experience. There's no Apple store around me at the moment, so I'll have to wait till I travel to a place that has to have them checked out, but I do have an open case with Apple support. I tried cleaning the said scratch with a little bit of toothpaste, no dice.

Looks like this is a real issue affecting the iPhone 11 Pro? Anyone having the 11 with this issue?

Sep 28, 2019 6:46 PM

Sep 28, 2019 11:50 PM in response to KaeBFly In response to KaeBFly

Sure. Something did touch, and smeared the coating of the screen. But one did not expect any permanent scratch mark to appear after a few days of normal use. Not especially when this new one is bolstered to have even stronger glass than any of the previous models.

Sep 28, 2019 11:50 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 28, 2019 11:53 PM in response to MatiasMB In response to MatiasMB

From the photos posted here, looks like the issues appear on a midnight green 11 Pro? Mine is. I wonder if the 11, and the max have the same issue?

Sep 28, 2019 11:53 PM

Sep 29, 2019 4:36 PM in response to MatiasMB In response to MatiasMB

Same has happened to mine. Yesterday it was fine and today I have a 3 inch long-deep scratch/crack. Don't know how it happened, only thing was it dropped behind the couch onto carpet. I can't tell you how many times I've dropped my old iPhones or had it against keys and never had a problem even without a screen protector. I've taken extra care with this one but didn't help. Any suggestions on a good screen protector? I have the 11 pro.

Sep 29, 2019 4:36 PM

Sep 29, 2019 4:49 PM in response to cperdue In response to cperdue

Same issue. Very disappointed. My older phones screens were better than this.

Sep 29, 2019 4:49 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 29, 2019 5:10 PM in response to Hurley28 In response to Hurley28

My iPhone 11 looks worse after 1 week than my iPhone 7 did after 3 years. I'll be going to my Apple store and complaining. I haven't bought AppleCare yet but might have to at this rate. :(

FWIW, it doesn't take sharp or metallic objects to cause scratches. Simple normal usage or pockets, setting on tables, etc.

Sep 29, 2019 5:10 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 29, 2019 5:37 PM in response to simplysimpler In response to simplysimpler

Not to diminish what any of you are experiencing but every year the same things seem to be echoed. There will be people that say their phone shows scratches/nicks inexplicably and that there must be a defect because previous models did it do it. And that may be true for them but there is always at least one thread posted echoing the same complaint. Only thing that can be suggested besides the obvious (even though not loved by those that hate doing it...that's using a screen protector of some sort and/or a case) would be to report it to Apple and determine if it's really a defect or just bad luck. For those that are near an Apple store and feel like it's a defect should go there and let them see the device and observe how the screen looks and then while there replicate the issue. If the screen is truly faulty it should be easy to make a new scratch/smudge/scrap appear if the only thing that caused it before was putting it into an empty pocket for example. Makes it difficult for them to not be willing to replace the device if you can show the issue happens. Probably not what anyone wants to hear but being able to show evidence absolutely helps more than showing damage after the fact and wanting them to believe the damage happened out of nowhere. Not saying any of you are lying but imagine how many people do or would claim scratches they know they created by being careless occurred out of nowhere.

I would be frustrated if it happened to me no doubt but I've been very fortunate. Never had a scratched screen or cracks on any iPhone. Yes I've dropped them countless times, tossed them with abandon, etc but I've also always used a screen protector (always cheap ones) and a case...usually an Otterbox Strada but I do so because I know that I always plan to sell my device and by taking these measures my iPhones have always looked like new making get top dollar (far more than any of these trade in offers ever give). Usually the first week or two has me using a cheap case to hold me over while I wait for the Strada or this time the Nomad folio to arrive while keeping a trimmed down version of the plastic that comes on the iPhone in place until my cheap $5.99 3 pack arrives from Amazon in place to keep the screen pretty safe. I say all of this to say that I have been pretty lucky to not have an issue on any of my iPhones or the others in my home (iPhone 11 product red and 2 iPhone 11 pro gold)...although I did have a mini scare when I dropped a thick heavy palette corner down directly on my iPhone 11 pro Max gouging the plastic and making me terrified that I had taken a chunk out of the screen. Thankfully no damage to the screen. No scratch or anything. That was pure luck because it absolutely should have had some significant damage if not a full fledge shatter. Definitely made me think long and hard about adding AppleCare+ immediately 😂

Hope you all are able to get some assistance with the scratches but if not...consider a screen protector at minimum. The cheap ones I use don't alter the feel of the screen at all. Again, I get these not so much for concerns about cracks but to ensure the screen doesn't get surface scratches solely for preservation of resell value.

Sep 29, 2019 5:37 PM

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 30, 2019 4:02 AM in response to KaeBFly In response to KaeBFly

Basic scratch resistance is fundamental to a touch screen display. I have never put any screen protector on my iPhones, the same way I never did with the windscreen on my car. Because they never needed it. This early behaviour in these iPhones 11 is a bit alarming. This discussion thread here is to discover whether and if this is a common problem (isolated, or not) and what is the solution. Hiding the flaw with screen protector is not a solution, but a choice one can make after the fact.

Sep 30, 2019 4:02 AM

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Question: iPhone 11 screen scratches