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Well, that's quite a dramatic example. But I do think that if someone is selling me and a loved one a product and makes a claim concerning an important feature it has than I am totally justified in testing out said sales pitch on a voluntarily displayed DEMO of this product.

If they are uncomfortable with costumers testing their products then they shouldn't put out dozens of unsupervised test models of it, or they should ask costumers to not actually test the product for claimed features or they should just not claim that it has that feature.

Where, again, do they advertise the scratch-resistant screen on the 3GS? Fingerprints, yes. Scratches, I don't think so.

And is it really that difficult to differentiate between 'testing' a phone and intentionally trying to damage it?
 
Where, again, do they advertise the scratch-resistant screen on the 3GS? Fingerprints, yes. Scratches, I don't think so.

And is it really that difficult to differentiate between 'testing' a phone and intentionally trying to damage it?

I don't know whether or not apple says it's scratch-resistant but their employee literally said to me, "it won't scratch like that plastic screen on your current phone." If he hadn't said this I would have just bought a screen protector and thought nothing of it.

And trying to damage the phone would have been dropping it on the floor, I was TESTING if it would do what the guy said it would do. If he hadn't said it would do that then yes, it would have been intentionally trying to damage it.

We are just repeating ourselves now. Our priorities are just different and I couldn't care less about the well-being of apples display models nor if you think what i did was okay or not.

I'll go back to my original point: The iphone passed the "key-scratch test".
 
I don't know whether or not apple says it's scratch-resistant but their employee literally said to me, "it won't scratch like that plastic screen on your current phone." If he hadn't said this I would have just bought a screen protector and thought nothing of it.

And trying to damage the phone would have been dropping it on the floor, I was TESTING if it would do what the guy said it would do. If he hadn't said it would do that then yes, it would have been intentionally trying to damage it.

We are just repeating ourselves now. Our priorities are just different and I couldn't care less about the well-being of apples display models nor if you think what i did was okay or not.

I'll go back to my original point: The iphone passed the "key-scratch test".

Agreed. The rep had a point that the glass would doubtless be more resilient than a plastic screen, but I doubt he promised that it was key-proof. The previous versions were, in fact (even knife-proof, by some tests), but this new coating does throw a bit of a wrench into the works.

Anyway. I can understand 'testing them out' a bit if you had someone tell you to your face how scratch-resistant they are, but as far as the official literature goes, it's never mentioned.

But I'm glad to hear it passed. I just peeled off my screen protector today because it was getting so scratched up from just sitting in my pocket (apparently I have jagged thighs) and I'm hoping that it will hold up unprotected. It feels so nice in the nude.

The phone...not - well, you know.
 
I had a 2G and 3G from day one and did not have any scratches on them. I debated putting on the anti-glare screen on my new 3GS. I watched the forums and read what others were talking about (wether it would harm the screen or not, etc). One day I looked at my screen and there was a nice 1/2" scratch on the upper corner. It is pretty deep. I guess I waited too late and have since put one on. I did like the feel of the new screen but this time went with just a screen protector, not the anti-glare.
 
I had the Zagg full body IS on my 3G after about 2 weeks. I love the protection of the full body IS...of course, the side edges did start coming apart after about 6 months. BUT, the front and back never had any issues. No scratches at all. I recently sold it for a pretty good price...I am sure the condition of the screen and back made a difference in the final price.

Now, I have a 3GS. I have not had to time to get the IS installed yet. I am currently using the iSkin without the screen protector. I haven't had any scratches yet...but will likely put the Zagg IS on the front side at least. I actually really like the feel of the Zagg. I gave the iphone a more "grippy" texture-feel...less likely to slip out of your hands:eek: The on screen feeling was also good....much better IMO than the non-adhesive shields.

Although now, I do love the feeling of the oleophobic 3GS screen! Butter smooth. Again, I may just put it on the front side. I have heard that with WHITE-colored iPhones (which I have), the "yellowing" effect of the ZAGG IS is more noticeable than with the black-colored iphones?!
 
Pretty much everyone at TheIPhoneBlog thinks I'm nuts.. anyone with a scratched 3GS screen is apparently due to their abrasive personalities hahahahahahaha. :eek:

I don't think anyone got my point where I never needed to do anything with my 2 or 3G and I never once got a scratched. This is even after I had them for a much longer period of time while the 3GS was scratched within days.
 
I just wanted to update this thread with my latest experience: after more than a year of cheerleading for naked iPhones, I have discovered my first ever, random scratch on an iPhone screen. It happened, of course, on my 3GS. There is a 1/4 inch long scratch near the earpiece, running down from the bezel to the right of the earpiece speaker port. Though long, it is not deep and is therefore nearly impossible to see in almost any lighting condition. But it is the first time I've scratched an iDevice (not counting the 1st gen touch which had an unfortunate encounter with a pair of titanium-framed Oakleys, or the 3G when I wasn't quite careful enough while sanding the bezel) in almost three years. :eek:

The usual disclaimers: the iPhone resides in my front right pocket, all by itself. I am extremely careful with it, at all times. I have never dropped it. It has never been in a pocket with any other object, ever. It has never been handled for more than a few minutes by anyone other than me, and even then, it has always been under my supervision. I do not work in a sandy environment. ;)
 
I'll go ahead and post my experiences which seem contrary to many here.

I have owned a 3GS since the day they were first shipped. Mine is protected with a Seidio Innocase II Surface hard case, with no screen protection whatsoever. My phone always goes in my jeans or slacks pocket with no other items in the pocket, other than occasionally a Jawbone bluetooth. I use my phone heavily but I am careful with it. I have no visible scratches on the glass whatsoever, and no signs of wear on the special coating. The screen looks brand new. There are, however, thin scratches along the chrome bezel and back, due to pocket lint getting caught between the case and body. Common issue, and nothing I can do about it.

Previously owned a 3G for almost a year, same case, same story, except that one time I dropped it in the bathroom and it landed screen-down on the metal foot of a magazine rack (the drop was only a couple feet distance). It put a tiny nick in the screen, but it was barely visible. I got $300 on ebay for the phone and the buyer was happy.

So you CAN have a naked screen and not get scratches. The screen just feels nicer to touch without plastic on it, especially the 3GS with its slick coating.

I have added piece of mind from the fact that, before I sold my 3G, I followed online instructions to open up the phone, remove the glass, and blow out dust from behind. Took some time but I'm a tinkerer so it was no sweat. What this means is that, if I ever crack or badly scratch my 3GS glass, I can manage my own replacement, and you can get the glass online for $25.
 
3GS owner for over a week. No scratches. No screen protection.

Owned a 3G for a year, many hairline scratches that weren't noticeable in average light, but you could see them if the sun hit them directly.
 
I had a Boxwave screen protector on my 3g from day one. Boxwave is a great product barley visible and feels great...the screen on my 3gs feels so smooth I don't want a screen protector on it...when they first came out some thought a screen protector might damage the screen upon removal, so I didn't use one...no protector and no scratches sence launch day!

:D
 
This is a random question... I've tried applying the invisible shield screen protector and it is a bitch to put on. It's been on for ~24 hours and there are tiny bubbles all over the screen that won't go away. If I go to the apple store and buy the crystal film would they put it on for me?
 
I've had my 3gs for about a month and just got a scratch... was shocked and amazed... I didn't buy a screen protector because the screen on my 3g never scratched I figured it was similar... wish I would have put one on now :( It's a small scratch, but still...
 
btw... for those interested... I brought my phone in to the genius bar and they replaced the screen for me said it was a one time thing.

I put one of those covers on they sell at apple and I already miss the naked screen :( screen cover attracts soosososososo many smudges ugghhh..

oh well, if it's gonna scratch I guess it needs to be on.. :) Nice of apple to replace the screen though and only took a few minuts.
 
There are two people posting in this thread that have some serious screws loose. I'm not saying who, but I bet you can figure it out.

On another note, I've been case-free for two weeks after removing my invisishield. Only scratches I see are a couple on the Apple logo on the back. None on the screen. But then, I take care of my stuff.

Scratches do NOT just appear. It was probably sand or something that got on it and scratched it. That will do it. But there's no such thing as a screen scratching itself.

Personally I think this whole dream of the 3GS screen scratching easier is just that...a couple people got scratches an they're blaming it on the coating. Silliness. That's what that is. You guys are all so silly.
 
Does anyone have any home solutions for buffing out these tiny scratches. I've heard toothpaste but how would that work and I've only see these theories applied to old iphones, not the 3gs with the oleophobic coating.
 
Personally I think this whole dream of the 3GS screen scratching easier is just that...a couple people got scratches an they're blaming it on the coating. Silliness. That's what that is. You guys are all so silly.

The scratch on my 3GS is certainly not a dream. And I'm pretty obsessive about keeping my phones scratch free (don't take it out of the box until I have my BSE in hand ready to apply). My first gen and my 3G are both scratch free after plenty of everyday usage. Never had screen protectors on them.

I used my 3GS for less than a week before I noticed the scratch. Everybody's got their opinions but I think the one I quoted above is what's silly here.
 
Def something going on with these screens. I had apple replace one of my screens and 1 week in on the new one it's scratched again.

I take very good care of my phone... it's always by itself in my pocket... I think they def have an issue with the coating and/or composition of this new "smudge free" glass they put on the 3GS.
 
Well, that's quite a dramatic example. But I do think that if someone is selling me and a loved one a product and makes a claim concerning an important feature it has than I am totally justified in testing out said sales pitch on a voluntarily displayed DEMO of this product.

If they are uncomfortable with costumers testing their products then they shouldn't put out dozens of unsupervised test models of it, or they should ask costumers to not actually test the product for claimed features or they should just not claim that it has that feature.

I like to go to car dealerships and smash the bumpers with a baseball bat. Since they are supposed to protect the car from impact its totally ok right?
 
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