Apple’s newly appointed Vice President of Hardware Engineering, Tom Marieb, told TechRadar that he personally feels “uncomfortable” when users put screen protectors on their iPhones, because Apple’s team has invested tremendous effort into creating a beautiful front display.

He also explained the technology behind the next-generation Ceramic Shield 2 glass, saying that it is durable enough to withstand everyday scratches and wear, eliminating the need for an additional screen protector.

Ceramic Shield 2 Delivers 3× Greater Scratch Resistance

Tom Marieb succeeded John Ternus as Apple’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering. John Ternus officially became Apple’s CEO on September 1, 2026, while Tim Cook transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman.

Speaking to TechRadar, Tom Marieb said, “Personally, when I see someone put a screen protector on an iPhone, it makes my skin crawl, because we put so much effort into creating a beautiful front display.”

Ceramic Shield 2 made its debut with the iPhone 17 series and is also used on the iPhone 18 Pro and the front display of Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo. Tom Marieb noted that the new-generation glass offers three times the scratch resistance of the previous version.

He explained that Apple’s team sought to strike a balance between scratch resistance and wear resistance. “We could have made it more scratch-resistant, but that would have reduced its resistance to wear. We wanted to achieve long-term durability against both types of damage.”

He added that during testing, the team simulated up to five years of real-world user conditions and compressed the testing process into a period of just several weeks.

iPhone Duo Goes on Sale October 23, Featuring Enhanced Hinge Durability

The iPhone Duo officially goes on sale October 23. The device features a 7.6-inch foldable inner display and a 5.4-inch outer display, along with a matte nano-texture design that makes the crease less noticeable. It carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, with Apple describing its performance as superior to that of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Tom Marieb particularly highlighted the durability of the hinge, saying that the team spent a significant amount of time addressing this challenge. The hinge provides a solid, refined opening and closing feel, similar to that of a high-end automobile door.

“That’s exactly what we intended with the design. We wanted users to feel that the device is exceptionally well engineered and that they can use it with confidence,” he said.

He also encouraged users to follow Apple’s long-term durability commitments and see whether the company can deliver on its promises regarding the durability of the foldable display crease.

Original Interview Title:
“I spoke to Apple’s new VP of Hardware Engineering about why he’s ‘especially proud’ of the iPhone Duo’s hinge durability and the reliability of Ceramic Shield 2: ‘When I see someone put a screen protector on their iPhone, it makes my skin crawl’”

(Unwire HK, reproduced with permission; Featured Image Source: Apple)