Zac Hall, writing for 9to5Mac:

In recent years, my iPhone display was always covered in subtle scratches that you only really noticed in low lighting – like indoors. They were especially visible when the screen was off. I’m convinced this is why always-on display was invented.

…

Apple changed the formula with the iPhone 17 line. The company says Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass is three times more resistant to scratching. That’s exactly what the iPhone has needed, and Ceramic Shield 2 is on every new model.

The improved formula for Ceramic Shield 2 has definitely followed through on its promise of being more scratch resistant. It normally takes about a month for the screen of my iPhone to become covered in small scratches. The same way Zac describes them, visible with the screen off but invisible with the screen on.

As of today I see absolutely none. The front glass of my iPhone 17 Pro Max looks as new as the day I received the device. Here’s to hoping that future iterations don’t result in a regression in this regard, as has been the case in the past.