I’ve had a screen protector exactly once on all my iPhones. Zero noticeable scratches on my previous iPhones: 5s, 6, 6s, 7 plus, 8 plus, XS, 11, or 12 mini.

I’ve had this 13 for over a year. Display is still completely pristine, but I do keep it in a case 95% of the time.

The ONLY time I’ve had screen damage in all this time was dropping my old 4s on a concrete floor outside of its case, and that was only bezel damage. Not the screen itself.

Obviously this is all purely anecdotal, but maybe it’ll help! I also don’t drop my phone more than once a year, if that!