Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
I’ve always had tempered glass screen protectors. I’ve tried expensive and cheap and they seem the same. I have an iPhone 14. It seems like on the newer iPhones, no matter what screen protector you get, they slowly start to peel up around the edges.
With the “Ceramic Shield” Apple has, is a screen protector even necessary?
If it is, any recommendations for one that doesn’t need to be replaced every couple of weeks? (I’m partial to the 3 for $7 on Amazon, but it’s annoying to keep having to replace them)
With the “Ceramic Shield” Apple has, is a screen protector even necessary?
If it is, any recommendations for one that doesn’t need to be replaced every couple of weeks? (I’m partial to the 3 for $7 on Amazon, but it’s annoying to keep having to replace them)
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
They used to be absolutely required, just like phone protection cases. These days I think both are mostly optional.
As for installing screen protectors, I'd recommend wandering into a shop that repairs phones and have them install the screen protector for you. When they do it, it almost never comes up from the edges.
My iPhone is a XR, bought new back in 2018/2019 and I went from the Apple store to a repair shop the same day and had them install a screen protector. This year I finally took it off because it was busted up a little, but the edges were still attached just fine. I didn't replace the screen protector, because I'm going to have to replace this phone soon enough anyway, as Apple will probably not allow iOS 18 on the device next year, but they will let me upgrade to iOS 17 later this year.
As for installing screen protectors, I'd recommend wandering into a shop that repairs phones and have them install the screen protector for you. When they do it, it almost never comes up from the edges.
My iPhone is a XR, bought new back in 2018/2019 and I went from the Apple store to a repair shop the same day and had them install a screen protector. This year I finally took it off because it was busted up a little, but the edges were still attached just fine. I didn't replace the screen protector, because I'm going to have to replace this phone soon enough anyway, as Apple will probably not allow iOS 18 on the device next year, but they will let me upgrade to iOS 17 later this year.
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Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
Good question. I’ve certainly experienced deep scratches and cracks on the protector without damage to the underlying screen. It would be hard to know if its absence would have led to screen damage. Aside from that, the oleophobic coating is nice for reducing fingerprints and grunge.
At $2 or $3 every 6-12 months, I’m not especially bothered if I’ve wasted my money. I buy whatever is cheap and well-rated on Amazon. Strongly suspect most brands sell identical products coming from a few factories. The alignment template is helpful if you don’t already have one.
At $2 or $3 every 6-12 months, I’m not especially bothered if I’ve wasted my money. I buy whatever is cheap and well-rated on Amazon. Strongly suspect most brands sell identical products coming from a few factories. The alignment template is helpful if you don’t already have one.
Last edited by Doctor Rhythm on Mon Jun 05, 2023 11:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
I have an iPhone 13 Pro with a tempered glass screen protector since day 1, and I haven’t had any problems with peeling from the edges. I like Spigen screen protectors because they come with a little plastic tray that aligns the protector perfectly with the phone.
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
I have an iphone SE from last year and I do not use screen protector.
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
My understanding is the later iPhones have a glass that is less likely to break but the downside is it's a bit soft. I accidentally scratched a new iPhone 11 screen while handling it.
I purchased an iPhone 13 mini about a year and a half ago and put an ONN screen protector (from Walmart) on it before I ever put the phone in my pocket. The protector fits perfect and has no scratches. I keep the phone in a pocket by itself.
I purchased an iPhone 13 mini about a year and a half ago and put an ONN screen protector (from Walmart) on it before I ever put the phone in my pocket. The protector fits perfect and has no scratches. I keep the phone in a pocket by itself.
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
I don't have a screen protector on my phone. I carry the phone in the same pocket with the keys, so the keys constantly rub against the phone, and I've never had any scratches on my phone screen.
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Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
They’ve saved my phone several times. Get whatever is cheapest. The cheap and expensive ones are identical from what I’ve read .. tempered glass is tempered glass and it’s disposable, if it breaks then replace.
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Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
Depends on the user.
For teens or kids I think it’s a good idea.
I’ve never used one.
For teens or kids I think it’s a good idea.
I’ve never used one.
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
I've never used a screen protector for any phone I've owned. My wife is a bit more clumsy and always uses one. To me the biggest risk is dropping a phone and having the screen crack/break. I'm not sure a covering for the screen helps or not. I haven't dropped my phone often but I was sitting next to a lady at a bar who dropped it onto concrete (outdoor patio) and it was shattered. Part of it depends on how it lands and of course the flooring material.
I'd say if you are generally good with things you don't need one although I would always get a case. I've used phones w/o cases for a while but they tend to be slick in your hands and pockets and can be dropped easily.
When people say "they saved my phone" that is just a guess because as I said above, I've seen phones dropped w/o protection and not break.
I'd say if you are generally good with things you don't need one although I would always get a case. I've used phones w/o cases for a while but they tend to be slick in your hands and pockets and can be dropped easily.
When people say "they saved my phone" that is just a guess because as I said above, I've seen phones dropped w/o protection and not break.
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Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
I use AmFilm brand from Amazon. Good compromise of quality and price. One protector typically lasts the entire time I keep the phone (usually 2 years).
I always trade in or sell my old phone whenever I get a new phone, so having a pristine screen is important in getting the highest price. If I hoarded my old phones like most people, I'd likely go without a screen protector.
I always trade in or sell my old phone whenever I get a new phone, so having a pristine screen is important in getting the highest price. If I hoarded my old phones like most people, I'd likely go without a screen protector.
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
My wife and daughter use them, and I've replaced the protectors several times after the phones were dropped and the protectors had cracks (but the screen was unharmed.) You could take the chance if you want, but it will cost you $100 to replace the glass if it cracks. Do you feel lucky?
I've used a brand called SyncWire, available on Amazon. It comes with a plastic frame that fits over the phone and makes it easy to align the protector with the screen.
I've used a brand called SyncWire, available on Amazon. It comes with a plastic frame that fits over the phone and makes it easy to align the protector with the screen.
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
WOW, when I had mine installed, it was like $40 4-5 years ago, it was also thick and solid, it wasn't like a flexible piece of plastic, it was like another piece of glass, came with a warranty of some sort. This sounds like a far cry from a 2-3$ protector.Doctor Rhythm wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 11:20 pm Good question. I’ve certainly experienced deep scratches and cracks on the protector without damage to the underlying screen. It would be hard to know if its absence would have led to screen damage. Aside from that, the oleophobic coating is nice for reducing fingerprints and grunge.
At $2 or $3 every 6-12 months, I’m not especially bothered if I’ve wasted my money. I buy whatever is cheap and well-rated on Amazon. Strongly suspect most brands sell identical products coming from a few factories. The alignment template is helpful if you don’t already have one.
Whether rich or poor, a young woman should know how a bank account works, understand the composition of mortgages and bonds, and know the value of interest and how it accumulates. -Hetty Green
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Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
+1, exact same situation over here. Same for my wife's iPhone 12 Pro. So easy and protective, excellent quality: Spigen has customers for life.Afty wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 11:24 pm I have an iPhone 13 Pro with a tempered glass screen protector since day 1, and I haven’t had any problems with peeling from the edges. I like Spigen screen protectors because they come with a little plastic tray that aligns the protector perfectly with the phone.
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Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
If prefer getting a case which has a "lip" around the screen. That way, if I drop the phone screen-down, as long as it's on a flat surface the screen won't be harmed. I've never put a screen protector on any phone and I've never scratched or broken a screen.
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Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
I think a good case with a lip sticking out past the screen is more important than a screen protector, but I use both. I've definitely had several instances (both me and my kids) where the screen protector was shattered but the actual glass was fine underneath.
I haven't really had issues with the screen peeling, but I've seen that. I think some of it is getting it right the first time (I have problems lining it up perfectly) I just buy a few at a time and look at it as disposable.
If anything, it's more about the inconvenience and downtime of taking it to the Apple store to get a screen swap than it is worrying about $150 to replace the screen.
I haven't really had issues with the screen peeling, but I've seen that. I think some of it is getting it right the first time (I have problems lining it up perfectly) I just buy a few at a time and look at it as disposable.
If anything, it's more about the inconvenience and downtime of taking it to the Apple store to get a screen swap than it is worrying about $150 to replace the screen.
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
I use ESR. They are about $11 for three on amazon. They provide a collar for your phone that makes placement easy and perfect. I just replaced one that I had on for two years because it was lifting around the edges after the phone was dropped a few times. Seems like a reasonably priced insurance accessory for an Iphone 13 Pro.
Re: Screen protector for iPhone - necessary? Recommendations?
I’ve had iPhones forever, and have never used a screen protector. Never been an issue.
I carry it all day everyday in my pocket.
I carry it all day everyday in my pocket.