GoKawiilApple hardware VP Tom Marieb criticizes iPhone screen protector use, touts Ceramic Shield 2
Apple's new vice president of hardware engineering, Tom Marieb, said watching people put screen protectors on iPhones bothers him because of the effort Apple puts into its display glass. He was promoting Ceramic Shield 2, the coating debuted on the iPhone 17 line and now used on the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo foldable's outer screen, which Apple says offers triple the scratch resistance of its predecessor while remaining durable over time.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Marieb's comments highlight a gap between Apple's engineering pride and consumer behavior: many buyers use protectors not just for scratch prevention but as cheap insurance against costly out-of-warranty screen repairs, or for privacy and glare benefits unrelated to glass toughness. Better materials alone won't change habits driven by repair costs and other practical concerns.
- Apple's hardware chief says screen protectors bother him despite Ceramic Shield 2's durability claims.
- Ceramic Shield 2 offers 3x the scratch resistance of the prior generation and appears on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo.
- Consumers often use protectors for repair-cost insurance, privacy, or glare reduction, not just scratch prevention.
Apple iPhone 17 Silicone Case with MagSafe — If you're skipping the screen protector to show off that new Ceramic Shield 2 glass, it still makes sense to protect the rest of your phone with a proper case. Apple's official silicone case with MagSafe keeps your iPhone looking sharp while letting the display shine through unobstructed. It's a natural companion for anyone embracing Apple's scratch-resistant screen confidence.
See Apple iPhone 17 Silicone Case with MagSafe on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techspot.com — Skye Jacobs, 2026-09-19
Published there as: “Apple's new hardware chief says seeing screen protectors used on iPhones makes his "skin crawl"”
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