Apple’s new vice president of hardware engineering says seeing an iPhone owner use a screen protector makes his “skin crawl”. Tom Marieb’s comment, reported by TechSpot from an interview with TechRadar, was a defence of Apple’s Ceramic Shield 2 display glass rather than a new accessory ban.
Ceramic Shield 2 is Apple’s answer to screen scratches
Apple introduced Ceramic Shield 2 with the iPhone 17 family, claiming in its official announcement that the front cover has three times the scratch resistance of the previous generation and reduced glare. The material is also used on the iPhone 17 Pro range and the outer screen of Apple’s iPhone Duo foldable, according to TechSpot.
Marieb’s argument is that Apple spends considerable effort making the front of its phones look good, so adding a transparent layer over the display defeats part of that design work. It is a familiar pitch from a company that would rather sell the glass as protection than have owners hide it under a sheet of tempered glass.
TechRadar’s longer-term testing gives Apple’s claim some support. The publication’s Simon Cocks says he has used an iPhone 17 Pro since November and has not seen the fine scratches that appeared quickly on his iPhone 16 Pro and earlier models. That is an individual test, not a laboratory result or a promise that the display cannot break.
Should you stop using an iPhone screen protector?
Ceramic Shield 2 may reduce everyday scratching, but it does not make the screen immune to drops, sharp grit or repair bills. A screen protector remains a cheap sacrificial layer for owners who would rather replace a cracked accessory than gamble on a display repair.
The choice also depends on how a phone is used. Someone who keeps an iPhone in a pocket with keys, carries it to a dusty beach or plans to resell it may still prefer the extra layer; someone who values the original feel and appearance may take Apple’s new glass at its word.
Apple’s three-times claim applies to scratch resistance, not overall impact protection. Ceramic Shield 2 is tougher glass, not a force field.
For more context, see our coverage of iPhone 17 pricing and release details in the UAE and the iPhone 17 Pro’s UAE specifications.
Some links in this article are affiliate links; tbreak may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
What did Apple’s hardware chief say about screen protectors?
Tom Marieb said seeing someone put a screen protector on an iPhone makes his skin crawl because Apple works hard to make its front screens look beautiful.
How much more scratch-resistant is Ceramic Shield 2?
Apple says Ceramic Shield 2 offers three times the scratch resistance of the previous generation, along with reduced glare.
Does Ceramic Shield 2 prevent a cracked iPhone screen?
No. The claim concerns scratch resistance, while drops and other impacts can still damage the display.
