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Yup. At least they were not on the screen, I guess. Not a lot I can do about it now, except keep it in a case and just accept that it's a thing that happened.

I'd heard rumors of some phones getting scratched by the machine they use when Apple applies screen protectors. I can now verify that it does happen. I really wish that iPhones had a more brushed metal appearance on the frame. It wouldn't be so easy to see scratches then.
Apple scratched the sides of my 2 year old phone when they did a battery change. They gave me a brand new phone.
 
Apple scratched the sides of my 2 year old phone when they did a battery change. They gave me a brand new phone.
If I'd noticed it when it first happened and brought it up, I suspect it would have gone one of two ways:

A. The installer would have denied that he had anything to do and I'd have walked out angry.
B. The installer would have handed me a new phone, if they had one in stock at the time. This was back in November.

He had no problem with doing as many screen protectors as I wanted, until it was perfect. It took three times before it was right. I suspect it would have been option B.
 
I haven't used one in a decade and never scratch my phone. I don't even use a case and my iPhone 13 mini looks pristine after six months. It has slid out of my pocket and down into couch cracks and I have dropped it once or twice, but there is no noticeable scratch at any viewing angle. It's just about how you treat it. My phone goes in my left pocket and everything else goes in my right. Always. When I take it out at work or home, it goes on a Magsafe stand on my desk or I place it down on an unfolded Whoosh cloth or a mousepad, not on the desk directly. I don't ever carry my phone in the same hand as other things simultaneously. And I don't use my phone while walking. Plus, the mini is real small and I don't feel like I will every accidently drop it while shifting my thumb up to the top of the screen or the far edge. I have short, fat fingers, so I bought the phone that would make me less accident prone. I have just developed good habits for keeping my phone in good shape.

My wife on the other hand has a screen protector because she drops her phone multiple times a day, throws it in a purse with other things, carries it under plates and cups in the same hand. Doesn't look where she's going because she has her face in her screen. Her screen protector is always scratched or cracked, but it is easy to replace it. She goes through a 3 pack of tempered glass ones every couple months.
 
I will keep this in mind in the future. The reason I had them do it is because after several attempts with some of the more popular screen protectors here, I was unable to get an installation without any dust. The screen protector that they installed literally has no dust that I have been able to find, though it took three tries for them to get it right, but I ended up with permanent damage instead. In hindsight, a bit of dust doesn't seem so bad. Even if I had noticed it right after they did it, I likely wouldn't have done anything about it because I have had absolutely no problems with this phone and I wouldn't want to risk a new phone that ends up with some kind of problem worse than a few hairline scratches.
I hear that!
I'd much rather have a bit of dust than ANY amount of damage.
As it is, I'm using iCarez protectors, as good as any others (3 much more expensive brands) that I've tried, and inexpensive enough (currently $6 for a three pack with a foolproof installation tray).
At the price, there's plenty of room for a "do over" if necessary!
 
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I use Amazon tempered glass, cover the full screen and every three or four months I replace it with a new one.
I also have AppleCare+ and no case on the iPhone, but the screen can scratch easily
 
I have the iPhone 14 base model and I always put a case and screen protector on my phone I do have apple care but with a $800 phone I want to keep it protected as much as I can!
 
After idiotically running my beloved XS through the laundry, I got a 13 mini. My #1 must-have feature in a new phone was AppleCar+.

Most of the phones the employees at the store were carrying around were naked — no case, no screen protector, nothing.

When it came to that part of the buying process, I asked the guy who was helping me … long story short, the screen protector that they would put on for me (with their magic alignment machine, etc.) would cost $45, but a replacement screen with AppleCare+ would be $30.

I opted to join the naked phone club. I have no regrets as of yet, and don’t expect to have any in the future.

It’s worth noting: the bare original display is gorgeous and feels great. I love the way the back looks, too.

b&
 
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Always use a Belkin UltraGlass Screen Protector. Dropped my phone once on gravel face down. Cracked the protector but the screen was untouched.
 
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Picked up the 14 PM today and I never buy screen protectors, but have seen a few articles and videos where ppl have said they've picked up scratches out of nowhere.

Now I do take this info with a grain of salt. But I ended up with the Zagg Privacy screen. I'm not digging it. Just glancing at it from the side and you can't see the AOD. I know that's the point but might exchange for the clear one.

Anyone in the same boat?
Left my phone on the top of my car while at the park. Pulled out and heard 'bang..bang...bang' as it bounced to the truck.Looked through the rearview mirror and saw it bouncing down the road. Stopped and retrieved. Got home: entire screen was shattered. Figured I'd call the Apple Store to get repaired....then thought: didn't I put a protector on this when I bought it??? Checked...peeled off protector...screen was fine! Will always use a protector now.
 
Most of the protectors for the 14 Pro and Pro Max are all glass with no cutouts due to Dynamic Island. I hated the notch cutouts from past protectors.

Currently I use a Belkin, but my last iPhone had a Spigen. They’re both very good.
Lets put it this way: even if I decided to go case-less with my phone, I’d still get a screen protector. 🤷🏻‍♂️ No lens protector, but the screen protector is nice.
 
For me not only do I like the protection from a protector but I love the smooth feeling of new oleophobic coating when you put a new one on. I know the oleophobic wears off but you get that like new feeling back again.
 
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The first time I got a cracked screen was the last time. I have been using screen protectors since my iPhone 5. People keep boasting about having AppleCare and being able to do whatever they want to their phones. Well AppleCare costs anywhere from $199.00 to $269.00 for an iPhone. My Spigen case and screen protector cost less than $30.00. Had my 8 Plus for 5 years, and keeping it in a case and screen protector got me a $140.00 trade-in at the Apple store when I bought my 13PM. No brainer in my opinion.

8 Plus Trade-in.jpg
 
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This is the only one I can ever recommend:

Astounding screen protector. I used one on my 12 Mini and it felt better than the actual glass screen. It’s very premium and does not affect or distort the quality of the image.
 
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My criteria for screen protector. 2.5 edges and full edge to edge coverage. Yet to find one that covers the entire screen. Although the WSKEN on does a have 2.5D edges it also covers the gaping earpiece hole with a nice mesh also thus preventing dust buildup.
 
I always felt that screen protectors destroyed the experience of the phone.

But I started using them when a nearly new iPhone XS Max got a big scratch across the screen in my bag.

Since, I added them to an iPhone 6s+, a 7+, and the XSMax. All three of those phones are still in use. Some of the screen protectors cracked or shattered on drops. I peeled them off and replaced them without issue. The XS Max was my daily driver for 4.5 years.

Now I have a brand new 14 Pro Max. Just put a glass screen protector on it. You’d be hard pressed to tell its even on there.

As somebody who now holds onto phones for a long time. I’m definitely in the screen protector camp. Not only do they protect against scratches, they don’t materially or noticeably change the experience of using the phone. I believe they also aid in preventing more serious damage to the screen on drops.
 
As little as they like it sometimes, I always point out to anyone working on my stuff any prior damage (if any) and insist on a prior work inspection and documentation of condition.
If that's not acceptable, I do the work myself.
I detest damage, and if there's going to be any, it had better be done by me.
This!! And why I'll never get people accepting manufacturing defects, citing their purchase as a consumable device that'll be marked in its life anyway. And to me it doesn't matter what price we're talking about.

It's easy. I want to be the first to put a scratch on it. Not Apple or anyone else for that matter.
 
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I always felt that screen protectors destroyed the experience of the phone.

But I started using them when a nearly new iPhone XS Max got a big scratch across the screen in my bag.

Since, I added them to an iPhone 6s+, a 7+, and the XSMax. All three of those phones are still in use. Some of the screen protectors cracked or shattered on drops. I peeled them off and replaced them without issue. The XS Max was my daily driver for 4.5 years.

Now I have a brand new 14 Pro Max. Just put a glass screen protector on it. You’d be hard pressed to tell its even on there.

As somebody who now holds onto phones for a long time. I’m definitely in the screen protector camp. Not only do they protect against scratches, they don’t materially or noticeably change the experience of using the phone. I believe they also aid in preventing more serious damage to the screen on drops.
"I always felt that screen protectors destroyed the experience of the phone."
A lot of people say that.
I don't get it.
A preventable scratch would pretty much destroy my experience.
The protection of a screen protector actually enhances my experience because I don't have to be concerned about that kind of damage.
 
"I always felt that screen protectors destroyed the experience of the phone."
A lot of people say that.
I don't get it.
A preventable scratch would pretty much destroy my experience.
The protection of a screen protector actually enhances my experience because I don't have to be concerned about that kind of damage.
We have to separate both philosphies though.

-People that accept everyday wear and tear and scratches.

-People that want their iPhone to be pristine like if it just came out of the box.


Obviously, the people who can accept scratches and scuffs don't care. To them (and me), screen protectors do ruin the experience because you can always see the outline, the dust that accumulates on the edges of the screen protector and the tiny drop in screen quality--although it still looks good. I notice it especially with the OLED inky black levels look more 'gray' with a screen protector. Without out, they look perfect black. When you back swipe you will always feel the edge, even if it's rounded. When you swipe up you'll always feel the edge too. Without a screen protector you get a perfectly flat surface, no dust, no weird rainbow effect with polarized sunglasses, full screen clarity AND the screen is much less reflective.

To the people that want an absolute mint pristine iPhone, of course screen protectors don't ruin the experience. It's the next best thing next to having no screen protector. Plus you don't get scratches at all and you retain the oleophobic properties. You never experience the actual phone though, it's always behind layers of stuff.
 
We have to separate both philosphies though.

-People that accept everyday wear and tear and scratches.

-People that want their iPhone to be pristine like if it just came out of the box.


Obviously, the people who can accept scratches and scuffs don't care. To them (and me), screen protectors do ruin the experience because you can always see the outline, the dust that accumulates on the edges of the screen protector and the tiny drop in screen quality--although it still looks good. I notice it especially with the OLED inky black levels look more 'gray' with a screen protector. Without out, they look perfect black. When you back swipe you will always feel the edge, even if it's rounded. When you swipe up you'll always feel the edge too. Without a screen protector you get a perfectly flat surface, no dust, no weird rainbow effect with polarized sunglasses, full screen clarity AND the screen is much less reflective.

To the people that want an absolute mint pristine iPhone, of course screen protectors don't ruin the experience. It's the next best thing next to having no screen protector. Plus you don't get scratches at all and you retain the oleophobic properties. You never experience the actual phone though, it's always behind layers of stuff.
I'm someone that has a protector fitted in-store immediately after unboxing. Yes, I check the frame and screen for any damage during this.

I also fully understand what you're saying re physical hindrance and degradation that may be present. The former doesn't come into play for me as there's a case of sorts involved anyway. There also needs to be a differentiator that many of those on screen degradation will depend on the type and quality of protector fitted.

I've a recently purchased 13 Mini and the annoyance of crud build up on the edge of the notch (area not covered due to microphone location) doesn't make it look nice. True. In my case it's the Belkin Ultra glass fitted and I do not feel that it much compromises the tactile navigation. I think more so once the skin oils are on, either will feel similar.

And you're right, once I have a scratch, I cannot unsee it and usually do keep my phones a long time due to financial constraints. It would annoy me a long time. I actually replaced the very aging 6 yr old OG SE for the Mini and experienced a massive scratch on screen. So much so that the protector was destroyed and even a slight mark was present on the display itself. I to this day have no idea exactly how that happened. So after this ran without a protector on the SE and it wasn't (to me) an improved experience. Did buy a replacement on Amazon as they could only be found online at the time, still haven't fitted it as the trusted old phone now acts as Home control and spare phone..in case.

End of day it doesn't really matter. It's whatever feeling of security, relaxed mind frame versus known minimal compromises works best for each person. There's no right or wrong and it's simply a case of each to their own.
 
I use a Spigen glass protector on my 14PM as I like to use it as a map source while hiking and want the extra protection. Can't tell that it's even there.
 
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I agree with several comments here:
1) You will get micro scratches at the least and probably some larger ones if you don't use a screen protector. They won't be that noticeable in everyday use, but will be there and will lower sale value.
2) The Spigen Glass protector are awesome. Highly recommended.
3) iCarez makes great film protector if you want matte. These have the least amount of sparkle that I have found in the matte category.
4) I never use a case, but I would never not use a screen protector.
 
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