iPhone 11 Scratches Are Annoying Many Buyers

Apple praised the glass in the new iPhone 11 during its September 2019 announcement as “the toughest glass in a smartphone”, but we’re seeing reports of iPhone 11 models scratching easily. The reports started in the first week of release and continue as 2020 is in full swing.

A growing number of complaints on the Apple Discussion Forums are approaching the level where some users are questioning whether this is a manufacturing issue. If enough complaints come, Apple may have ScratchGate.

After asking our readers, we have compiled a list of complaints regarding iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 scratching issues, images and video of scratched iPhones. This is not limited to the first models, but also not every model.

Same issue here, just 1 week in my pocket and full with scratches ????

— david (@david79777225) February 9, 2020

There are enough reports worth highlighting the problem that a growing number of users are facing. From there you can decide whether you need an iPhone 11 screen protector, AppleCare+ or just a good case.

Apple’s custom glass is made by Corning and performs admirably in several drop tests, even with a drop on concrete, but we’ve been hearing reports from our friends and online that the iPhone 11 screen scratches easily.

A plastic keychain has scratched the iPhone 11 Pro Max screen on a friend’s iPhone deep enough to leave a tactile mark you can feel. Another user found that the iPhone 11 Pro Max screen was scratched even when using it with kid’s gloves.

Over Apple Discussion Forums, many owners share their iPhone 11 scratch complaints and photos of the damage. User cperdue reports and shares a photo of the damage,

“I have a legit crack/scratch that popped up on my screen all of a sudden. No drops, no incidents…but I can feel it with my fingernail, but it’s not a crack or any spider web in the sense that it’s coming out. Just a small line segment from the front facing window and a discrete little one a few millimeters away. part is missing. Indeed, it appears to be a manufacturing defect, which appeared without incident after 24 hours of use.”

Other users report that the iPhone screen is easily scratched with nothing else in their pocket. Zero or one user writes, “My iPhone 11 looks worse after 1 week than my iPhone 7 does after 3 years”.

On Twitter, Dalton Amos says“The new Apple iPhone 11 Max Pro screen scratches easily. No screen has ever been scratched before this phone!”

Readers share with us the additional reports we highlight below;

@Apple so my tweet was removed but here is my brand new iPhone 11 in just a week of use, just in their pockets. Too many scratches! @Josh_Smith pic.twitter.com/58cRuVilTF

— Kaxinne Cancinos (@kaxinnecancinos) October 2, 2019

@Josh_Smith I was babysitting the iPhone 11 pro max because I wasn’t sure I would hold it. I’ve had it for two days now and there are minor scratches all over the screen. Super annoying.

— Isaac Conley (@IConley_9) October 1, 2019

Read, lil lil, writes: “I recently got an iPhone 11 Pro Max and literally the day after I found scratches around the entire screen. Some are barely noticeable, but some are deep. I didn’t drop it and the only reason I can think of is my pockets. All the hard The screen thing looks like a hoax.”

iPhone 11 Pro Max scratches after a day.

Reader Krido shares a snapshot of iPhone 11 Pro Max scratches that are scary to look at after a day of “normal use.” Reader Alam writes: “It’s only been two days with the iPhone 11 and I’ve suddenly gotten four minor scratches.” Another reader wrote, “my wife’s iPhone 11 Pro max just got a scratch. He had no issues with his previous iPhone getting scratched in his case. Looks like the new iPhone scratches easily.”

Libby shares a photo of her iPhone 11 and regrets upgrading from iPhone SE, “I’m posting a picture of my 1 week old iPhone 11. A picture taken by a 3-year-old, unscratched iPhone SE that has never been placed in an iPhone case. or protective. For the first time in my life, I bought an existing iPhone model and I regretted my decision.”

Another reader, Timothy, shares his frustration after an employee said he won’t need a screen protector because he has AppleCare+. “I bought my iPhone 11 with AppleCare+ from Apple and the employee said I won’t need a screen protector as screen replacement with AppleCare is only $30. Low and voila, less than a day later, my iPhone 11 is already on the front screen multiple scratches, some at surface level but a scratch or two deep enough to be felt. I’ve never dropped it and just put it in my pocket and on a clean desk but somehow still managed to scratch it. I was frankly frustrated and went straight to buy a screen protector, but the screen Deeper scratches were still visible under the shield.”

iPhone 11 Pro scratches on a new phone.

Complementing our reader complaints, Coltan said he tried calling Apple, but the company hadn’t heard many people talk about it. He writes: “Just read your article and I thought I’d throw my hat off, I was very careful with this phone because I was waiting for my screen protector to arrive, I dropped it on a plastic and scratched it. I was trying to wipe the scratches with a microfiber cloth and scratched more, not the best picture, but hopefully, you can see it.

If you watch the Jerry Rig Everything iPhone 11 scratch test videos for iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro Max, you can see that the phone held up very well when exposed to many potential scratches.

This suggests that the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro screens are strong, but there may be some sort of manufacturing issue.

Apple is currently a screen replacement software For the aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 3, due to a crack that could start on one side and then continue around the screen. Also a iPhone X display module replacement program for touch issues.

Apple has an example of dealing with screen and display issues especially early in the production cycle.

What Should You Do If Your iPhone 11 Scratches Easily?

Users dealing with iPhone 11 scratches, you can try talking to a local Apple Store to see if they can assist you. Most of the time they will say it’s a cosmetic issue and not covered by AppleCare+ or warranty, but you might be lucky.

Some users have found that placing a screen protector on the iPhone 11 helps hide some scratches. While not recommended, if you crack the screen with AppleCare+, you can get a new screen for $29.

If your iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro screen is scratched, send us your information at: [email protected] or @Josh_Smith So that we can gather more information on Twitter.

Take a look at other iPhone 11 issues to learn about other issues users are facing.