Your super-tough iPhone 12 will still need a screen protector

Yesterday we lauded the iPhone 12’s new Ceramic Shield screen for extremely resistant to cracking when dropped from a height.

Unfortunately, it appears there is a trade-off between shatter resistance and scratch resistance, with more flexible screens also being softer.

With buyers now receiving their iPhones, there is now increasing complaints about scratches on screens.

See some of the complaints below:

Just got the biggest scratch on my new iPhone 12 Pro ? @apple wtf is going on. Literally put my phone on the table and now the biggest scratch on my screen. #iPhone12Pro And I just saw I’m not the only one? pic.twitter.com/yktSwrfnSD

— Brandon (@LifeAs_Brandon) October 23, 2020

@MKBHD @UnboxTherapy @ijustine have your iPhone 12 been easy to scratch? pic.twitter.com/112GHyoP35

— shredder1313 (@shredderman45) October 23, 2020

So my iPhone 12 Pro doesn't have any scratches on it yet, but these demo units at T-Mobile… pic.twitter.com/FyUhwDeT7p

— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) October 26, 2020

Received my @Apple iPhone 12 Pro today from @EE and I am deeply dissatisfied receiving a brand new phone that had a deep scratch! Brand new expensive phone, expected better especially anticipating release day arrival. #iPhone12Pro #Apple pic.twitter.com/hJb121udUi

— Mohammed Rahman (@Mohamme82961627) October 24, 2020

When measured using scientific methods via a Mohs hardness test, the 6 and 7 points were able to leave scratches on the  iPhone 11, while the iPhone 12 stood up to the 6 point and saw some faint scratches with the 7 point. The 8 point left significant scratches on both.

This suggests that, despite the much-reduced risk of cracking the screen, owners will still need at the very least a basic screen protector to keep their iPhone 12 pristine.