Will it scratch? -- a test

[pbankey]

Hey folks,

As a lot of you know, I've made a thread a while back regarding disassembling the Arrive to replace the screen half of the phone. Well, after that surgery I was left with a new phone and an old screen that didn't work. However, the panel was flawless so I wanted to test the touchscreen's scratch resistance.

The arrive screen panel I used was absolutely flawless with no scratches. It doesn't actually work (water damage), but it had no scratches or any "sign" if damage.

Bottom line: Impressed.

Object one: keys

Tried three different car keys scratching the screen. I pushed down with some force and rubbed away on the screen with the keys and got absolutely no scratches or even questionable friction that would make me feel it would be sratched. It was like ice.

Results: Passed

Object two: screwdrivers

Used a couple of different screwdrivers -- a small flat head and a medium phillip's head. The flat head I used the sharp corner and edge to rub vigorously on the screen with no negative results. Scratchless. The Phillip's head I used the point of the screwdriver and rubbed it with force to try to scratch -- nothing. I even "stabbed" the phone with the screwdriver using force resembling that one someone lightly pounding their fist onto a desk. Nothing. I am amazed from that.

Results: Passed

Object three: dropping it on the pavement

Not really an "object" but wanted to test ability to withstand impact from a drop. Tried it three times and nothing. Third time I made sure it dropped screen-side down and it had what I thought was a scratch on the touchscreen, but I was able to rub it away with my fingers. Holy cow.

Results: Passed

Object four: Wire cutters

I was determined to get this thing to break. Well, I did just that. I got some wire cutters to see if I were to clip down on the edge of the screen if it were to crack, which it did. It actually needed some force to do that, though not too much.

Results: Failed

Conclusion

Considering this is one of the WP7 HTC phones that is not using Gorilla Glass, it does a great job withstanding impact and scratches. I'm convinced that you could go without a screen protector and it would be scratch free for a long time unless you were rough with it.

If you're still worried about scratches anyway, I recommend using these from eBay. I have it on my phone right now and I like them a little better simply because they don't feel or appear visible, are static cling so you can easily reapply, and are very inexpensive.

[pbankey]

In case anyone is interested...

[esqueue]

Well glass in general is resistant to scratches as with my Zune HD. If it is abused by remaining in your pocket with keys for some time, it will scratch.

I did get a screen protector to avoid the possibility of scratches though. That may have been a good idea as my phone case appears to have scratched it behind where the case magnets are hidden.

[DavidinCT]

This thread alone made me by screen protector for my trophy.

Thanks for that...

[JimP]

Now that you've demolished your screen, I'm waiting for someone to post how to get your phone working. lol

[rrjskj]

Originally Posted by pbankey

In case anyone is interested...

holy shit what did u do use it to pound a nail into a brick wall ??? now thats gonna cost ya

[Aleki]

Originally Posted by rrjskj

holy shit what did u do use it to pound a nail into a brick wall ??? now thats gonna cost ya

not unless he has insurance

On a different note, I noticed a very faint scratch on the bottom of my screen a few weeks ago; although I think it was because of the self-tapping screw I later found in my pocket

[rrjskj]

Originally Posted by Aleki

not unless he has insurance

On a different note, I noticed a very faint scratch on the bottom of my screen a few weeks ago; although I think it was because of the self-tapping screw I later found in my pocket

wait isn't it still an $100 deductible from assurion or however it is spelled ???

[JohnMcD348]

My Assurian replacements for my TP2 were only $35. Maybe it's phone specific but I figure it was cheaper than buying the insurance. I take pretty good care of my stuff and, up to the point I had issues with the TP2, never had any real issues with any PDA before that except my very first one about 12 years ago.

[-Enkidu-]

FYI: I have an Arrive with a small scratch in the screen due to mixing it in with keys in da pocket (probably mixed in 3 days before I noticed & started the left/right pocket phone right/left pocket keys rule). I also witnessed an HTC shift fall aboot 3' on concrete & the glass shattered.