yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Thunderbolt General] Hyperdoggy:
Well this sucks, just realize i got a scratch on my bolt too, never scratch my blackberry when i had it and one week in and there's one. I been careful with my phone too, it don't go in my jean/pants pocket but always into my coat pocket by itself. This thing is really fragile.
[Thunderbolt General] tbcpn:
Yup. No scratches yet, but the Stienheils should be here tomorrow. Indeed, I don't use a screen protector with my Dinc or my DX and zero scratches.

This is like going back to the BlackBerry where if you wanted to be able to read the text on your screen you had to use a screen protector since the screens would pretty much scratch themselves.

One would like to think that HTC/VZW's new "flagship" phone would do better...
[Thunderbolt General] GrdLock:
Houston, why? You stalking me? :D
[Thunderbolt General] rizzomegav:
I have no scratches or protection on my screen I don't ever put it in my pocket or face down

this is not a signature I type it in every time maybe sent from my phone or my computer
[Thunderbolt General] emarusamun:
The cheapo VZW screen protector saved my phone from a ink pen stabbing. Had to replace protector to another in the pack but ill never go without one. Ordered a ghost armor yesterday before I learned of the sgp steinheil. Oh well.

Tbolt - VirusRom_rc1b1-drod1.8ghz
[Thunderbolt General] distortedloop:
iPhone Edge 2007 model - scratched within 2 weeks despite kid glove treatment.

iPhone Edge 2008 model - never scratched, no screen protector after I couldn't stand zagg anymore

iPhone 3G - never scratched, no screen protector

iPhone 3G - never scratched, no screen protector

iPhone 4 - never scratched, no screen protector

Nexus One - never scratched, no screen protector

Samsung Galaxy S (i9000) - never scratched, no screen protector

Nexus S - never scratched, no screen protector

I still have all of them, and they get some rough treatment. Drops, thrown naked in my computer bag, two phones glass to glass in my pocket, etc, etc. Still no scratches on the glass, but the backs are another story!

Seems like a quality phone can scratch, but the odds are against it in my experience...

That said, there's something "cheap" and plasticky feeling about the Thunderbolt's glass. I usually run naked, but I'm a bit nervous doing so considering all these reports.
[Thunderbolt General] IGottaDroid:
My screen protector is great its like its not even there .same quality as if it had nothing there
[Thunderbolt General] wiredmonkey:
I got the Ultra Olephobic ones and really like them so far. They also cover the entire screen, including the buttons at the bottom. The cheap ones that Verizon sells don't.
[Thunderbolt General] Varelse:
im using Steinheil Ultra Fine anti fingerprint for the anti fingerprint reason only.

I cant stand seeing fingerprints on my phone...
[Thunderbolt General] qwirked:
I've had my phone since release day. No scratches here and I won't be running a screen protector. Never did one my Droid and never got a scratch.

I like my phones naked.
[Thunderbolt General] ERIFNOMI:
I didn't scratch my phone that I've had for a week which is going back to verizon (warranty replacement) nor the one before that that I also had for a week (warranty replacement) but my new one isn't getting used without my ZAGG invisiSHIELD. I like the feel they give the phone. It's easier to slide my finger across those screen protectors than the bare glass. And it's really easy to just wipe fingerprints off it unlike the naked glass.
[Thunderbolt General] shaddix2:
no scratches since launch but with people saying they're getting scratches and not knowing how they got there has me spooked. Ordered me a crystalclear thing off amazon yesterdya.
[Thunderbolt General] infamous702:
I had a 15 pack of Droid x screen protectors that I tried on my tbolt nd not only do they fit but they work fine..my DX is in flawless condition (bought it on launch day) and I'll make sure my tbolt is the same way
[Thunderbolt General] miss.jupiter:
Are there any alternate methods for removing the scratch on the screen?

It would be very dumb to go buy a screen protector when I already scratched the screen ....
[Thunderbolt General] Blacksheep427:
screen protectors

Well, well. Who'd ever thought I'd be glad I listened to the sales rep. He did his best to sell me the screen protectors. My "no" response included "but I bought them and didn't use them on the HD2." But for some unknown reason, I bought them anyway. He installed one for me at that time. After reading this post, I am glad I did. Oh, and I will be upgrading that as well for one of the better brands mentioned here. Zero scratches and I would like to keep it that way. The bad part, no screen protector used and zero scratches on the HD2.
[Thunderbolt General] zerocool79346:
Haha nah man though I did use your site for downloading a ton of Eris stuff :beer:

Just wondered if you were in a sandy type environment that could lend to the screen being scratched without you having to be very aware of it.
[Thunderbolt General] BurnOne77:
How does the screen protector line up and fit? I've tried 2 diff screen protectors. Returned the junk verizon one and paid $8 for another and its in the garbage.
[Thunderbolt General] dirtyfingers:
Verizons screen protector belongs in the garbage! SGP Ultra Crystal are all I use, they fit perfect and I have never had a problem
[Thunderbolt General] zach.xtr:
Wow GrdLock with this comment coming from you (and a number of others) I may not go for the TB after all... Sounds like our cheap 2 year old Eris' have less screen ware than many 2 week old TBs!
[Thunderbolt General] jjlangen:
Glad it's not just me. I like matte screen protectors, which I can't find locally. In the few days they took to get here I got a light scratch on the screen. It's been in the holster/shell combo since new, not bouncing around in my pocket. Definitely not quality glass!
[Thunderbolt General] droid fetish:
+1 on screen pro.
[Thunderbolt General] ke3qz:
Gorilla Glass....mabye?!?

Ok, saw this on another thread.

Corning claims that HTC is using Gorilla Glass on the Thunderbolt! Wonder if HTC produced some early units with cheap glass, realized that was a bad idea, and switched up?

corninggorillaglass.com/#featured-products
[Thunderbolt General] suzook:
Seems like BS to me. Atleast on my 2 tbolts.
[Thunderbolt General] g00s3y:
No screen protector here, and no scratches here, had the TB since launch day. Don't know what some of you guys do with your phones, but when I buy any piece of electronic equipment, I make sure to treat it with care. Mine is in and out of my pocket all day, and the glass is still in mint condition.
[Thunderbolt General] GrdLock:
I don't think the screen quality would sway my decision to buy the TBolt. It's still an excellent phone all around and I'm still very pleased with it.

If I had known ahead of time though, I definitely would have purchased a screen protector before even unboxing the phone!
[Thunderbolt General] ibsk8:
Mine got little scratches about 6 hours after having it.

sent from a sweet paper weight.
[Thunderbolt General] Philosophre:
Phone being all kept in a pocket with no other object seems to be the ongoing theme. Yet most are getting scratches while a few aren't.

It seems like from all these post that mostly people been getting sub-par glass while a handful so far have been getting a different quality. I would rather assume that everyone knows how to treat a phone and when one says they treat it like a baby, they are.
[Thunderbolt General] shaddix2:
Well mine has zero scratches(reflecting light on it to be sure), no screen protector since 3/17. I carry in left pocket, no keys, no change, no anything in there with it.

With GG saying they are on the tbolt, and HTC saying the tbolt does NOT have GG, I wonder if some phones have GG and some don't, and HTC is using multiple suppliers for the glass. That would really suck if that is the case.
[Thunderbolt General] GrdLock:
I wish there was some way to tell exactly what kind of screen it has...
[Thunderbolt General] Philosophre:
Well I assume one can tell AFTER THE FACT. But that may be too late, unless they can still return the phone.
[Thunderbolt General] ryanrp:
I'm using a screen protector and have not had any problems. The glass is on par if not better than my Droid Eris.
[Thunderbolt General] Ovrclck:
I have the fine but it's not as clear. I'm going to buy the crystal.
[Thunderbolt General] GrdLock:
...but you're using a screen protector...
[Thunderbolt General] DroidTh3ory:
That what insurance is for... Run the piss out of it and when the time comes.... Get a new one. :)

Yep, the phones aren't cheap. But I'll be damned if I am putting it in a OtterBox case turning a already large phone into a unmanagable beast or running some protector on the screen taking away from the clarity, peeling up, trapping dirt under it, etc. They are designed to look good, and to give you a nice clarity on the screen and want to enjoy that as much as I enjoy the internal goodies.

Same logic as people who ***** about battery life, so they go on a quest shutting everything off, not doing this or that so they can get a day out of there battery.... That is what it has a charging port for. Plug it in when it is sitting around, in the car, etc. I didn't spend this kind of coin on a phone that does everything, and does it all fast; so I can shut all the **** off. I would have bought a flip phone.

Lol. I bought a car charger.
[Thunderbolt General] suzook:
LMAO....I was thinking the same thing:confused:
[Thunderbolt General] thedefectkid:
LOL im lovng my tb bro
[Thunderbolt General] CPCookieMan:
My screen protector has a scratch in it. Meh.
[Thunderbolt General] magneticzero:
Oh no....better call verizon and get a replacement phone because your plastic protector has a scratch on it....
[Thunderbolt General] DizzyThermal:
I've been using SGP Ultra Fine because I hate fingerprints :P

Works well, I don't really notice a difference in clarity.. Just apply slowly and take the majority of the time making sure there is NOTHING on the screen before application..

Other than that use the squeegee to push the bubbles out and you're golden!
[Thunderbolt General] Philosophre:
Amazon sent me a phone, but apparently they changed their policy on phone swapping so I need to return it. But before I do, I have been using it as mini tablet at home. So far no scratches as I take from and put in my jean pocket. I can only hope that the next one I get is like this too, but I will prolly get a screen protector.
[Thunderbolt General] Diversion:
I've always used my cellphones naked and in my pockets all the time.. Just an empty pocket for the phone with nothing else..

Owned my Tbolt since launch day and realized I have about an inch-long light scratch on the screen.. never had any scratches on ANY other phone i've had. Just surprised at this considering i've owned every other iPhone and treated them the same way and they never scratched.

Then the next day I was in the bathroom and accidentally dropped my Tbolt on the tile floor.. when it hit the floor the battery door and battery both came flying off the phone. The only damage is a small hairline crack in the corner of the phone's body.. and the screen remained unscathed and everything is still working perfectly normal.

Waiting for a repair site to start carrying Tbolt parts.. a new plastic chassis should be about $30.. gotta get rid of having a crack :/ Won't sell in the future like this. And I assume you would have to buy a new touch-panel to get rid of scratches.. too bad those run about $120. =(
[Thunderbolt General] astang99:
I'm curious about the fact that maybe they switched glass makers sometime during the development cycle. I'm a TB owner, phone slid out of my hand onto the desk and promptly cracked the screen in a webbing from one end of the phone To the top of the phone. I have dropped and abused my other droids and not once did they shatter. The curious thing is that every pic of cracked TB's has almost the exact same crack...
[Thunderbolt General] HawkStream:
Wow just got my TB, I have had it for 4 hours. I'm really nervous now. Just got rid of my Droid 1. I never used a protector of any kind and always had it in my pocket. It did not have any scratches of any kind.

All I have heard from people is how great HTC is but this seems like a major flaw...! But glad I read this now, I will go buy ghost armor tomorrow and handle the phone likes eggshells until I get it!
[Thunderbolt General] HawkStream:
I went to the Ghost Armor site and when I choose Thunderbolt it just gives you one choice that is $14.99... You guys were talking about different types you could choose from.

Why don't I see any different choices?
[Thunderbolt General] Ovrclck:
My phone flew out of my hand as I was getting out of my car last night, corners are all dinged up. Thank god the glass is ok :D I'm super anal about my stuff and hate having defects. Let me know if you find any sites selling the chassis.
[Thunderbolt General] HawkStream:
Nvermind... I see what you guys were talking about. Just bought SGP Steinheil Ultra Crystals from ebay for $13.99. Thanks for the advice.
[Thunderbolt General] FP5241:
I don't get it... My screen feels solid as can be. Coming from a TP2 so, that may be why. That screen was horrible. Hmm.....
[Thunderbolt General] infamous702:
The thunderbolt does indeed have gorilla glass...dunno what y'all doin but my screen is bare and still looking like its brand new :D

http://www.corninggorillaglass.com/#featured-products
[Thunderbolt General] pmdied:
The rep at the Verizon store put a screen protector on before he would even hand the phone to me.
[Thunderbolt General] rizzomegav:
still no protection still no scratches

you people must carry diamonds in your pockets so why do you even care, money bags?

that or you clean your screen with sandpaper.

this is not a signature I type it in every time maybe sent from my phone or my computer
[Thunderbolt General] azturbomini:
I had a first gen Incredible and still have a Fascinate and never had the slightest scratch. Somehow I now have one on my TB. Looking at the glass on the Fascinate and the TB, the TB glass is not near as smooth as the Fascinate. Its hard to see but with the right light it is apparent.

My question is...

Does Gorilla glass make different types of glass varying in quality for phone manufactures?

This is a visual difference and not just speculation and I for one feel HTC is BS'ing us.
[Thunderbolt General] RossLH:
Not gonna lie, this thread made me a little paranoid. However, I'm not the kind of guy to sit around and blindly take everyone's word for something like this, I have to test it with a known method. So I drank a few beers and did an age-old test....

....I keyed my shiny, new Thunderbolt, and I was not nice about it at all (kinda violent, in retrospect). It didn't leave a single mark. Screen protector, my ass. After that test, if you have scratches on your screen, I honestly question how liberal you are when handling your phone.
[Thunderbolt General] miketoasty:
Dropped my phone from 4 feet onto hard tile. Screen first, nervously I picked it up and absolutely no scratches whatsoever anywhere on the phone. Great build quality IMO.
[Thunderbolt General] suzook:
Just an update. I am on my 4th phone due to sunken power sw, data dropping constantly. The point is, there are differences in screens. One being the color temp of whites. The 2 that had whiter whites, the glass scratched very easily.bthe ones that had the warmer whites, and less vibrant screen, had unscratchable glass. I tested them with a key. So there is defianately a difference in screens and glass.
[Thunderbolt General] Killershade:
Jesus, your 4th phone? I must just be super lucky with phones or electronics in general. I have never had a defective (ok a motherboard but that's different) piece of electronic equipment.

Oh and on topic I put the "Splash Masque Screen Protector Film Clear (Invisible)" on my phone. It works just great, no complaints. If I am going to spend a lot of cash out of pocket on an electronic device I owe it to myself to spend 10 bucks to make sure I don't scratch this huge, beautiful screen.

Oh and the protectors seems to be pretty smudge resistant too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MTJLV4
[Thunderbolt General] mezman:
Gorilla glass my ass. In a month with my TB I've collected as many screen scratches as I did in a year on my G1. I didn't want one but ultimately decided I needed to get a screen protector.
[Thunderbolt General] sincerity:
yea this is ridiculous...i now have 3-4 scratches on it....two of them are noticeable to the touch, sunken in, deep scratches. I always keep my phone as I have for the last 10 years or whatever in my right pocket with a fold of money. No clip, nothing else. Absolutely no excuse for the fragile screen. My D1, same routine, 2 years almost and no scratches
[Thunderbolt General] bmcclure937:
Video would be awesome! ;)
[Thunderbolt General] FP5241:
Anyone with a scratchable screen wanna post close-ups? I wanna see if there is a notable difference between the screens...
[Thunderbolt General] distortedloop:
Have another beer and do it again, only this time post a video on youtube for the non-believers.

Both Corning and HTC confirmed for me the phone's gorilla glass. I put a Clear Coat shield on mine, but I'm tempted to yank it off.
[Thunderbolt General] babybacon:
Both me and my girlfriend got thunderbolts and were not usually rough handling people. My screen was perfect for a week or two then i put a screen protector on it (skinomi) and its fine. But my girlfriends TB got its screen scratched on the second day she had it. we think by some keys in her pocket.

I emailed HTC and asked if there were two different types of touch panels. no reply yet though.
[Thunderbolt General] Forgetfull:
Use sand, a item commonly found in pockets, next time instead of keys.
[Thunderbolt General] quattr0:
I haven't put my phone together w anything in the same pocket and yet I have one small snatch.

TB glass is a joke.
[Thunderbolt General] GoldenCyn:
Wikipedia says it's Gorilla Glass
[Thunderbolt General] cjmcmillion:
wow you must have a phone with some wicked azz glass that selfs clean...lol

sorry firm believer in screen protectors anti fignerprint protection ftw...
[Thunderbolt General] babybacon:
so it seems that all of our glass is exactly the same. maybe people are innately able to scratch screens.
[Thunderbolt General] AndroidGraphix:
I put ghost Armor on mine. No scratches and feels smooth to Be touch. It also doesn't leave finger prints.

Sent from my rooted Thunderbolt with VirusROM AirborneTB. Xda premium
[Thunderbolt General] zerocool79346:
It will still be scratched by sand. I don't care what glass you are using (besides sapphire glass, but that stretches the definition of "glass") it will still be scratched. Gorilla Glass is not a mythical substance able to withstand all scratches, it still has a hardness less than quartz, and it STILL will scratch if it comes into contact with a small piece of quartz sand.
[Thunderbolt General] mbohde:
I took a recommendation and picked up the Ultra Crystal version of the Steinheil and have been happy with them. They seem to resist fingerprinting better than a bare screen. A pack with two cost me about $16 shipped.
[Thunderbolt General] astang99:
Gorilla glass, my ass, one drop and it cracked.
[Thunderbolt General] vitsdroid:
i did the same and its awesome! way better than zag and the like. Its like its not even there. Super clear and way easier to put on. Cant even tell its on until you look for it. It does scratch after a while so its nice to have the spare. But I am way impressed.

I had a droid 2 that i used a key on and nothing happened to the screen but then it got scratched in my pocket. Most likely sand in the pocket, sand is harder than keys so i thing thats what did it. Gals also need to watch out for their diamond rings. That will scratch the glass easy.
[Thunderbolt General] RossLH:
I'll do so tomorrow (while sober even)....apartment has bad lighting. Gorilla Glass is about a 5.5 on the Mohs scale; keys are generally brass, which is about a 3 on the Mohs scale, meaning they can not and will not scratch gorilla glass. For the record, quartz is a 7, so sand will not be used in this test because I'm not a complete moron.

If my pants have sand in them, my first choice is to throw them in the laundry. Clearly a vast majority of people with TB's could learn from this practice. As I said before, sand will not be used. It is not commonly found in my pockets, and I spend a lot of time at the beach.

Wash your pants, people. Maybe even pull the pockets out before you throw them in the washer.
[Thunderbolt General] distortedloop:
Jeez, how the heck are you people getting so much sand in your pocket? Playing in the sandbox at elementary school? Taking your phone to the beach? It's like an obsession. ;)
[Thunderbolt General] Jiv3turk3y89:
I took my phone out of the box and threw some p.o.s screen protector that u buy at the Verizon store on. Thing is clear as can be and the only thing that sticks to it is liquid if your dumb enough to wash your hands and fondle your thunderbolt
[Thunderbolt General] Kid_Cudi:
Just because it's Gorilla Glass does not mean it's unbreakable. You drop your phone and expect what? That glass won't shatter? That the laws of physics will magically stop working?

Had this phone for over a month. I ALWAYS have it in my pocket, with no case or screen protector and it's still perfectly fine. I question what you people actually do with your devices...

Thunderbolt «» das BAMF Remix
[Thunderbolt General] Fourstarzzzz:
I slapped on the best skin ever and works great for me. Just did not put it on the rubbery back.
[Thunderbolt General] jafu:
I've had my TB for 2 weeks without screen protection. No scratches at all. I've also had a mytouch 3g and 4g without scratches.

My mom got a TB and the screen was scratched the 2nd day. She's had 2 mytouch 3g's and also a mytouch 4g without screen protectors and never got a scratch on any device. Maybe the TB screens are lower quality compared to other HTC phones. :confused: Or, maybe there was a bad batch of gorilla glass.

After reading this and seeing first hand how easily they scratch I started using a screen protector.:)
[Thunderbolt General] Headshots4life:
Buy a ZAGG screen protector. For $14.99 you get a high quality screen protector which comes with a lifetime warranty. It's scratch proof and I even noticed it cuts down on fingerprints, I reccomend ZAGG to everyone looking for protection, you really cant beat the value.
[Thunderbolt General] ERIFNOMI:
The harder you make the glass (to prevent scratches) the more brittle (prone to cracks/shattering) it will become.
[Thunderbolt General] thebox360:
From what I understand, they are using gorilla glass. I don't use screen protectors, and mine still looks like day one. Gorilla glass can still scratch, it just takes more abuse. I have just been lucky not to have scratched any of my screen's. Screen protectors prevent scratches, I an getting some clear ones that don't even deal like they are even on.
[Thunderbolt General] thisguyeh:
I shot my screen with a 9mm and still flawless.....
[Thunderbolt General] obriennathaniel:
lol gtfo haha i can shoot mine with a rubber band and it will scratch :'(
[Thunderbolt General] xkingofgodzx:
i dont understand why you wouldn't use a screen protector....Most of them, you can barely tell they are there. Plus when you go to sell your phone when you decide to upgrade, the phone is worth way more if the screen is flawless. I know this because i have sold quite a few phones on ebay. Just a heads up. Use a damn screen protector!!!!