It was never an easily scratchable screen, sand will scratch many things, and is not something you would normally have in your pockets, unless you live near a beach, in which case, get a screen protector/case. A sapphire crystal coating is the only thing that will protect it effectively enough from scratches, and you'll only find those on the overpriced, under-featured "high-end" phones such as Vertu, Tag Heuer, etc. Even then, a sapphire crystal can be scratched by diamonds or anything of a similar hardness. Sapphire or diamond crystal covering will make the N900 way too expensive.