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

Are you using a screen protector on your 17pm?

  • Yes, always

    Votes: 42 63.6%
  • No, trusting Ceramic Shield

    Votes: 16 24.2%
  • No, will just swap with Apple Care if something happens

    Votes: 8 12.1%

  • Total voters
    66

chfilm

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Nov 15, 2012
3,599
2,458
Berlin
I’ve always been using a screen protector on my 13pm and 15pm, and didn’t really bother because in a case I never felt the edges of them. But now the 17pm just feels so good in the hand that I often like to carry it without a case and the sharp edge of my otherwise brilliant torras screen protector is driving me nuts! I’m not sure if I’m ready to trust Ceramic Shield 3 yet… even though I have apple care. What about you guys?
 
I have tried them in the past and even the appearance of a micro bubble would drive me crazy. Unless your phone is in your pocket or a purse with keys there really isn't a reason for one. My 15 Pro Max screen was flawless after 18 months without a screen protector. Traded it in towards the 17 Pro Max.
 
I've always used a case but never a screen protector as I want to enjoy the beauty of the latest screen unmodified.
Can honestly say I've never had a scratch on any of my unprotected screens and I upgrade every 2 or 3 years on average.

Currently have a new Air with neither screen protector nor case. Trusting that the materials and build quality are really that good so that I can enjoy the phone as it was designed and not how it looks and feels once "shrouded". I may live to regret this, though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chfilm
I don’t use protectors or cases personally. My 16 pro was the first screen that had significant scratches (couple drops) however it didn’t affect screen visibility. Contemplated throwing a protector on my Air but didn’t like any of them enough so my phone will stay naked.

What are you worried about if you have apple care? The cost of a Torras protector is as much or more than the whole screen replacement…
 
  • Like
Reactions: pollycat
Mine has tempered glass. I usually have to replace it once every six months when it starts to peel off on its own. I suppose it’s somewhat of a hassle, but it’s also probably saved my phone a few times.
 
Why would you not use one? Same goes with a high-quality case. I have a 16 Pro, and both the case and screen protector are from Urban Armor Gear. Expensive accessories, but worth it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WarmWinterHat
Privacy glass screen ftw for maximum trolling
I had a privacy screen protector on my old iPhone 11 Pro (great phone, by the way, I miss it a lot). It was nice but the micro louver gave me a headache, and trying to watch landscape videos (I almost never do this, but the times that I do) was a horrible experience. On my 16 Pro I don't have a privacy screen protector, just a normal one. Ultimately, I'm fine with it. I don't use my phone much at all anyway.
 
Always screen protector. Can’t stand looking at a scratched screen and once the oleophobic coating wears off it’s smudgetown.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WarmWinterHat
I haven't used a screen protector for my 13 Pro Max and the screen has a lot of scratches, some deep, some micro. Never from being in contact with keys or anything. For those of you who don't use a screen protector on your 17, how has the screen held up?
 
Haven't used one since the 6S days. My OCD used to go nuts with dust or misalignment and i've honestly found it better without one. Never anything more than those faint hairline scratches that you need bright light to even notice.
 
I prefer a matte screen, and since Apple doesn't offer one, I use a screen protector.
 
Last edited:
Just curious to how the Ceramic Shield 2 is working out for those who havent put on a screen protector.

Over the years ive automatically put the phone in a case and added a screen protector... until the iPhone 16 Pro max where I didnt use a case for the first time ever - but still couldnt bring myself to not add a screen protector.

Now, I have the iPhone (17) Air and ive gone case-less as Im both very confident in its durability once again, but also my ability to handle the phone as usual (ive never dropped a phone before and dont plan on starting anytime soon!)

But, again I automatically purchased a screen protector.

Now, I dont know if this is just because they are new - but ive tried 2 different protectors and neither sit precisely where they should even with the benefit of these plastic installing frames and pull tab installation things..
... what happens every time is that one edge is always a nanometer too close to the edge of the screen and it develops a 'bubble'. The solution is to manually re-seat the protector but its next to impossible as then the edge bubble just moves to another side.
Basically, the screen protectors ive tried are a tiny bit too big and end up always bubbling on an edge.

Anyway, long story short - I was wondering whether to go the whole hog this time and just forgo a screen protector all together.

Ive seen Jerry with his Mohs tests and he seems rather impressed but I still dont feel comfortable without a protector.

My question is, to those who have gone case-less and protector-less have you noticed any scratches or micro scratches on the screen yet? I dont mean if you carelessly put the phone in a bag or pocket with keys and coins (though that shouldnt scratch the screen apparently) but just keeping it in its won pocket - is it really as scratch resistant as it seems it should be?
 
I've always used a case but never a screen protector as I want to enjoy the beauty of the latest screen unmodified.
Can honestly say I've never had a scratch on any of my unprotected screens and I upgrade every 2 or 3 years on average.

Currently have a new Air with neither screen protector nor case. Trusting that the materials and build quality are really that good so that I can enjoy the phone as it was designed and not how it looks and feels once "shrouded". I may live to regret this, though.
Since Apple focuses on form over function, I would not trust their materials to be rugged.
 
Had one installed at the Apple store when I bought my 17PM... which is the first screen protector I've ever used on any phone.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.