An executive overseeing Apple's hardware engineering said he gets "the creeps" when he sees someone applying a screen protector to an iPhone.
The comment is widely interpreted as stemming from strong confidence in the durability of "Ceramic Shield 2," which Apple has applied to its latest iPhones.
Developed by Apple in partnership with glass specialist Corning, it was described by Apple at the time as the world's first "transparent, colorless glass-ceramic."
Marieb is Apple's new Vice President of Hardware Engineering — a position previously held by current CEO John Ternus.
Apple also appears to view screen protectors unfavorably because they prevent users from fully experiencing the color accuracy and surface texture of the display Apple designed.
An executive overseeing Apple's hardware engineering said he gets "the creeps" when he sees someone applying a screen protector to an iPhone. The remark reflects Apple's position that the durability of its front glass has already reached a sufficient level, and that separate protective accessories detract from the product's intended experience.
According to tech outlet TechSpot on the 20th (local time), Tom Marieb, Apple's Vice President of Hardware Engineering, said in an interview with TechRadar: "Personally, it gives me the creeps when I see someone putting a screen protector on an iPhone. We work really hard to make a beautiful front surface."
The comment is widely interpreted as stemming from strong confidence in the durability of "Ceramic Shield 2," which Apple has applied to its latest iPhones. The material was first introduced with the iPhone 17 series and has been applied identically to the iPhone 18 Pro and the external display of Apple's first foldable smartphone, the "iPhone Duo."
The first-generation Ceramic Shield, the precursor to this material, debuted on the iPhone 12 series in 2020. Developed by Apple in partnership with glass specialist Corning, it was described by Apple at the time as the world's first "transparent, colorless glass-ceramic." While the first generation focused on reducing breakage from drop impacts, the second generation was redesigned to triple scratch resistance while also reducing screen reflections.
The weight of the remarks takes on added significance with context. Marieb is Apple's new Vice President of Hardware Engineering — a position previously held by current CEO John Ternus.
Speaking at a group interview in London, Marieb detailed the design process behind the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo, explaining how Ceramic Shield 2 achieved clear quality improvements over the previous generation. He emphasized that he is "particularly proud" of the iPhone Duo's hinge durability.
A key area of focus for Apple was micro-scratches that occur in everyday life. Marieb explained that reducing scratches that naturally accumulate on smartphone screens over extended use was a primary goal of the development process. Apple states that Ceramic Shield 2 offers three times the scratch resistance of its predecessor.
Independent durability testing has confirmed the improvement. In a Mohs hardness scratch test conducted by YouTube channel JerryRigEverything, the iPhone 17's display showed only light marks at level 7. That's one level higher than typical smartphone tempered glass, which begins to scratch at levels 5–6.
The design goes beyond simply making the glass harder — the material was engineered to maintain durability over long-term use. "We were concerned about both sharp-object scratches and long-term surface wear," Marieb said. "It turns out that for many materials, it's hard to get both of those at the same time." Glass typically faces a trade-off where increasing scratch resistance reduces impact durability, so the focus was on improving both properties simultaneously.
Apple's message is clear: the front glass itself is now durable enough that there's no need to layer additional glass or film on top of the product. Apple also appears to view screen protectors unfavorably because they prevent users from fully experiencing the color accuracy and surface texture of the display Apple designed.
Consumers, however, may see things differently. The biggest reason people use screen protectors isn't solely to prevent scratches. The same outlet noted that for many users, a screen protector functions as a form of insurance against costly screen repairs. Since replacing an out-of-warranty iPhone display can cost hundreds of dollars, applying a relatively inexpensive tempered glass or protective film is the more economical choice.
The actual cost of a cracked screen is laid out in Apple's country-by-country repair pricing. For the iPhone 18 Pro, out-of-warranty screen-only replacement costs $329 in the United States, ¥57,800 (approximately $370) in Japan, and NT$10,790 (approximately $340) in Taiwan. With AppleCare+ coverage, the same repair drops to $29, ¥3,700 (approximately $24), and NT$900 (approximately $28), respectively.
iPhone 18 Pro Repair Costs (Out of Warranty) United States Japan Taiwan Screen damage US$329 ¥57,800 NT$10,790 Screen + back glass damage US$419 ¥72,600 NT$13,490 Other damage (maximum) US$849 ¥151,800 NT$31,190 Screen repair with AppleCare+ US$29 ¥3,700 NT$900
The functionality offered by screen protectors is also diversifying. Recent products include privacy filters that prevent people next to you from seeing your screen, anti-reflective coatings that reduce glare, and anti-fingerprint treatments. These features are difficult to replicate no matter how durable the iPhone's front glass becomes.
