Yes, you can certainly scratch the iPhone 4 (updated with more photos)
By Laura June 
posted June 23rd 2010 10:14AM
posted June 23rd 2010 10:14AM
Well, this is not encouraging. The photo you're seeing above is our leader Joshua's iPhone 4 review unit, snapped by Ryan Block just moments ago. Ryan pointed out that there are some nasty scratches on the back of the phone. While we don't have any better photos of it at the moment, Josh told us that they're hard to see unless in bright light, but they look pretty notable to us for a five day-old unit made of Gorilla Glass. We'll get some better photos for you as soon as humanly possible.
Update: We should note that while iFixit has said that the new iPhone's front panel is made of Gorilla Glass (and they tend to be right about these things), the material on the back of the phone has not been positively identified, though it is also a hardened glass.
Update 2: We've added three higher quality photos after the break, and seen the scratch with our own eyes. It's what we would call "incredibly minor," not visible at all dead on, but in bright light at an angle... well see for yourself if the photos.
Update: We should note that while iFixit has said that the new iPhone's front panel is made of Gorilla Glass (and they tend to be right about these things), the material on the back of the phone has not been positively identified, though it is also a hardened glass.
Update 2: We've added three higher quality photos after the break, and seen the scratch with our own eyes. It's what we would call "incredibly minor," not visible at all dead on, but in bright light at an angle... well see for yourself if the photos.
@Jack
No, Apple makes this claim of some new, super strong glass.... it should be this scratches this fast, so easily.... Everything's scratchable, with something.... diamond can be scratch -- with only another diamond. My only argument is, why the need to call it revolutionary when it will break and scratch just like everything else?? Apparently, no advantage there = marketing BS to me. That question, no one can seem to answer....
http://www.corning.com/gorillaglass/why_gorilla_glass.aspx
I don't remember apple saying that the glass is indestructible or shatter proof of scratch proof, I remember them stating that its about 30 times harder than plastic, which just means that its stronger and less likely to shatter in the event of a drop.
Will it Shatter, yes, will it scratch, yes. My Rado watch is made of high tech ceramics and is supposedly resistant to scratches, Over a 5 year period, I can assure you that there is scratches on it.
Oh my gosh! My phone is scratched! What am I gonna do? Panic!
Guys... it is just a phone. Get a life already! Jeez.
Looks like a screen protector for top and bottom glass as I wait for the cool barrage of 3rd party cases to come in. Simple solution. Thanks for the heads up Engadget.
Zagg is ahead of me with Invisible Shield! Cool!
http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield/apple-iphone-4-cases-screen-protectors-covers-skins-shields.php
One question before I order over the net; does the brick and mortar Apple Store carry Zagg InvisibleShield products?
Also checked out the iPhone bumpers on the Apple Store website; looks like front and back surface is open but doubtless the bumper material prevents top or bottom from contacting table surfaces. Very elegant.
No worries then for me about scratches.
Apple's Official Response: The scratches offer a unique artistic look to the magical device that can't be replicated making each iPhone one of a kind.
I used to be a big fan of Zagg, but now think Phantom Skinz is much better. Do your new iPhone a favor and go with that. Zaggs just don't seem to fit well any more, they pick up lint along the edges, they yellow, they feel tacky, and have noticeale orange peel. Trust me.
Scratches on the back never bother me for the most part. As long as the screen remains free of scratches I'm happy. It's been that way with all the chrome ipods. Back looks like an old spoon, front and screen remain perfect.
I'd love to see people mod the back glass. Transparent iPhone anyone?
There goes Apple's marketing :)
Are you serious who's gonna purposely scratch there new phone and make it newsworthy. This is the best phone on the market period for all the comments about drop calls I never had one since I got my original iPhone.
@Banonymous Because you are one ignorant user. Duh.
My iPhone expectations have just been shattered !
Wow. Unprotected glass can get damaged. Who knew?
I held an iPhone4 today and while the phone is nice, I really don't like the very sharp edge of glass that exists on the ends of the glass on front AND back. It looks like something that could cut if run fast enough across a thumb, and also is exposed enough that it will chip quite a bit.
This glass may be "strong" but their instron tests are on direct pressure, not shearing forces at the unsupported edge.
I have a rubbery Speck sleeve for my 3G, and the iP4 fits almost perfectly inside. The only thing is that the back side is slack with the lost bulge on the back - much like losing weight and feeling baggy pants.
One last thing: the back of the phone is glass, and is slipperier than the iPhone 3G. So if you are walking with a stack of papers or books, with the iPhone on top, you are more likely to have this one slide off and hit the floor or parking lot.
@dmccall
A flat glass back is more slippery than a curved plastic one? I don't follow.
Boooo iphone
Scratches add character!
Nobody said it was scratch proof...it's scratch resistant. Now if ATT can fix the "drop-signal" proof issue....
Awww no :(
I thought the new iphone was supposed to be strong
Um maybe cause they threw it across the room?
Is this from Josh's diamond encrusted Jostins class ring?
Damn! Get A Screen Protector!
Well that kinda blows. Unless you can get the glass on all these phones to be hard as a diamond, I'll still be preferable to stainless steel, brushed aluminum, matte plastic, and soft plastic on my devices.
@kenny goo
Stainless steel, brushed aluminum, matte plastic, and soft plastic being so much less scratchable.
@someToast
Is there a sarcastic, trolling, idiotic echo in here?
Any chance they either have a cheap case in the box or have at least some case you can buy tomorrow?
Also, I can't wait to try the iP4 because when all four top sources (NYT, WSJ, USAToday and Engadget) rave, it's gotta be unreal.
I've got to find out how it's better than the HTC Incredible, which made me give up my iPhone 3Gs.
Does PETA know these phones are made from Gorilla Gonads, I thought they were a protected species.
You know, Apple made a big deal about how good this glass was and that it was more scratch resistant than ever.
Then an article shows up saying that it got scratched. Apple devotees raced to Apple's defense with the two responses.
1. All devices get scratched.
2. Most people put it in a protective case.
So I was wondering:
1. Why is the iPhone 4 scratchiness being dismissed as if it were some regular device when Apple absolutely claims it's scratchiness is of a much higher standard?
2. If most people use protective cases then what's the point of using scratch proof materials? All these claims about Apple's glass become irrelevant as a feature since the device is going into a case anyway.
I wonder if Apple lovers are too afraid to admit that their brand new icon is flawed?
@boc It's more scratch resistant than plastic. That's what they claimed, and there's no doubt about that.
@AaronX
They did not claim that at all. That's just want you want to believe. Funny how the brain distorts facts to accommodate one's own reality.
A simple check of Apple's own site:
"Chemically strengthened to be 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic, the glass is ultradurable and more scratch resistant than ever."
Apple does not in anyway say it is more scratch resistant than plastic. If you think that the above sentence in implies that the glass is more scratch resistant than plastic then you need to learn English comprehension.
Scratch lmfao? i SMASHED MINE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncjcbyAoYkg
I'll keep this as reference to people who say you don't need screen protectors for glass.
some of you apple fanboys really walk around with a stick up your asses. It's ok to take some criticism if the freaking iphone is not perfect. This reminds of poor Ellen having to publicly apologize to apple for making fun of it. I mean it really doesn't matter if it scratches now the yellow screens are coming out defective. Beside, all this iphone frenzy will be over when the new WP7 phones start rolling out anyway. ITS OK IF IT GETS SCRATCHES, ITS NOT LIKE ENGADGET POSTED A PICTURE OF YOUR MOM AND DECIDED TO MAKE FUN OF HER!!
Well if you advertise something as zero scratch then we can be mad if that occurs. But i believe they did not say the Iphone was completely out of scratch range.
I'm not that surprised that the scratch indeed happened. If the item is less prone to get a scratch easily, that is an improvement.
But i won't hold my breath if i drop the thing hard enough that i get a nasty scratch.
Is that why Apple ask you to buy their bumpers? To "watch your back"??
In Soviet Russia, iPhone scratches your back
So the new iPhone isn't made from some indestructible alien material and can, in fact, be scratched just like every single other gadget and device on the planet. Is this news? Any word on whether the sun came up today or not?
Where's that video of the guy taking a razor blade to the EVO 4G screen and coming away untouched?
There goes the resale value just like it did with my white 3G that developed those nasty cracks on the back plate without me ever dropping it, in fact, I used a cover all the time.
Is that build quality?
Children.
It was believed, nay HOPED, that the new glass back would be as equally resistant to scratches as the great front of the previous iPhones was. This article was posted to prove that it is not.
So please, take off your Sarcastic Thinking Caps and please hold off on the "iPhone is doomed because it scratches" comments.
Check the sales. I believe the numbers speak for themselves.
@Rev If the the thin glass on front breaks, you have to replace the whole screen. 1st glass 2nd layer is glue 3rd layer touch interface 4th Liquid filler barrier 5th led chip layer 6th LED back light layer. The Touch layer and glass are bonded together with a filler glue. Any gaps and you have yellow blotches and streaks. Since neither layer is fully flexible, defects will be common! ;) ....no way to keep bubbles out and no company has ever glued the touch interface to the glass before, that requires full screen replacement instead of just the glass. Dumb Stupid Lame Desperate Move Apple!!!