In the world of smartphones, one of the most common concerns is screen durability — especially scratches. We’ve all seen those viral YouTube videos where reviewers drag knives, keys, or sandpaper across a brand-new phone to “test” how tough the display is. These are known as screen scratch tests, and they’re everywhere on tech channels, review sites, and even in marketing claims for screen protectors.
But what do these tests really measure? Are they scientific, or just for show? In this detailed blog post, we’ll break down how screen scratch tests work, the role of the Mohs hardness scale, why phone screens behave the way they do, common misconceptions (like the infamous “9H” rating), and what the latest 2025–2026 tests reveal about modern smartphones.
What Are Screen Scratch Tests?
Screen scratch tests are practical demonstrations of a material’s scratch resistance. Reviewers or manufacturers use tools of increasing hardness to try to mark or gouge the surface of a phone’s display glass (or screen protector). The goal is to find the point where visible scratches appear.
The most widely used standard in these tests is the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, created in 1812 by German geologist Friedrich Mohs. It’s a relative scale from 1 to 10, where each level represents a mineral that can scratch the one below it:
- 1: Talc (softest — can be scratched by a fingernail)
- 2–3: Gypsum, calcite
- 4–5: Fluorite, apatite
- 5–5.5: Typical window glass
- 6: Feldspar (can scratch glass)
- 7: Quartz (sand grains, often the real culprit for pocket scratches)
- 8: Topaz
- 9: Corundum (sapphire)
- 10: Diamond (hardest natural material)
In phone tests, people use a Mohs hardness test kit — a set of pointed mineral picks or equivalents — starting from lower levels and moving up until a visible scratch appears.
Modern alternatives include:
- Pencil hardness test (ASTM standard, using pencils from 6B to 9H)
- Automated scratch bots (like Corning’s 2024 Scratch Bot for micro-abrasion simulation)
- Progressive load scratch testers (lab machines that drag a diamond tip with increasing force)
But for most consumer-facing videos, it’s the Mohs pick method that dominates.
How Phone Screen Scratch Tests Are Performed
A typical test (seen in JerryRigEverything-style videos or JerryRigEverything-inspired content) follows this sequence:
- Start with a level 5 or 6 pick — usually no mark on modern glass.
- Move to level 6 — light marks might appear on older glass.
- Level 7 (quartz) — this is where most smartphone screens start showing fine scratches.
- Higher levels (8–9) — deeper gouges if the material allows.
Phone makers like Corning (Gorilla Glass) and Apple (Ceramic Shield) don’t officially publish Mohs ratings because the scale is qualitative and not ideal for engineered glass. Independent tests consistently show:
- Standard Gorilla Glass / older smartphone glass: Scratches appear around level 6, deeper at 7.
- Gorilla Glass Victus / recent versions: Similar, often level 6–7.
- Apple’s Ceramic Shield (iPhone 12+): Around 6–6.5, with newer Ceramic Shield 2 (2025–2026 models like iPhone 17/18 series) showing major improvements — minimal marks at level 6, only light etching at level 7 (up to 3x better scratch resistance per Apple claims).
- Sapphire crystal (rare, like in luxury Vertu phones): Level 9 — extremely scratch-resistant.
Real-world scratches often come from sand (quartz at level 7), not keys or coins (steel is ~5–6.5).
The “9H Hardness” Myth for Screen Protectors
You’ve seen tempered glass screen protectors advertised as “9H hardness” everywhere. But here’s the catch:
- The “9H” comes from the pencil hardness test (ASTM D3363), where a 9H pencil barely marks the surface.
- A 9H pencil is much softer than actual level 9 on Mohs (corundum/sapphire).
- True Mohs hardness for most tempered glass protectors is around 6–7, similar to phone glass itself.
- Marketing uses “9H” because it sounds impressive, but it’s misleading for real scratch resistance.
Many experts call it hype — the protectors mainly add a sacrificial layer and oleophobic coating, but they won’t stop level 7+ scratches any better than the phone’s own glass in most cases.
Latest Insights from 2025–2026 Tests
Recent durability tests (including JerryRigEverything’s 2025 awards and iPhone Air/Pro reviews) highlight progress:
- Newer Ceramic Shield 2 (iPhone 17/18 series) shows dramatically better scratch performance — almost no visible marks at Mohs 6, minor at 7.
- Foldables still lag in crease/scratch resistance due to flexible layers.
- High-end models like Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with Gorilla Armor 2 emphasize reduced reflections alongside solid scratch performance (level 6–7 range).
- Overall trend: Scratch resistance is improving, but sand and pockets remain the biggest threats — no phone screen is truly “scratch-proof” without protection.
Why Screen Protectors & Cases Still Matter
Even with tougher glass, micro-scratches accumulate over time from everyday carry. A good tempered glass protector (real Mohs ~7) or TPU film acts as a barrier, and cases prevent drops that turn scratches into cracks.
Tips for better screen longevity:
- Avoid sandy pockets/beaches.
- Use a quality protector (look for independent Mohs tests, not just “9H”).
- Clean regularly to remove abrasive dust.
Final Thoughts
Screen scratch tests using the Mohs scale give us a fun, visual way to compare durability, but they’re not the full story — drop resistance, bend strength, and real-world wear matter more for most users. Modern flagship phones (2026 era) have impressive scratch resistance thanks to ion-exchange processes and ceramic additives, but they’re still vulnerable to harder everyday particles like sand.
The tests are entertaining and informative, but the best protection is prevention: a solid case + screen protector combo.
What phone are you using right now, and has its screen held up scratch-free? Drop your experiences (or horror stories) in the comments!