I’ve noticed that most commercially available glass screen protectors are too reflective, or too noticeable. It really takes away from the gorgeous Apple display.
Has anyone used a brand that mirrors the quality of finish that comes on the iPhone displays?
They all take away from the display. Even if nothing else, the simple fact you have one more layer is adding a surface for light to bounce off. Glass is not transparent. Something like 16% of light bounces off most glass, depending on the chemical makeup and also how the layer is bonded to the display (there are ways to bond it that reduce the issue and Apple uses those for all the internal layers on the display).
Having said that — I still think screen protectors are worth it, because i use my phone for a long time and am pretty rough with it, so my glass is going to get scratched and the ability to replace the outer layer periodically (and cheaply) is worth the tradeoff to me.
The best ones don’t cover the screen - they cover pretty much the entire front of the device. Unfortunately with some iPhones those are not available (e.g. if the phone has curved edges). And they have an oleophobic coating — because holy shit fingerprints are bad without that. This is another reason to use a screen protector. That coating wears off over time and eventually your factory iPhone screen protector will be covered in smudges (unless you buy a new one regularly).
You also need one with very good installation instructions and maybe also some kind of alignment jig built into the packaging. Wether or not that’s necessary depends on what model phone you have, since some iPhones are more difficult than others.
I’m a big fan of D-Brand screen protectors — they’re well made and the installation instructions are the best. Even if you buy someone else’s protector it’s worth watching the D-Brand instructions for tips. This one doesn’t have an alignment jig, because one isn’t really needed. For some phones or protectors it really is needed. https://youtu.be/OJW89JK3zZk
Thanks for the rec. I’ve used their skins before didn’t realize they had screen protectors as well!
I haven’t used a screen protector in years. I don’t keep anything else in my pocket when I have my phone though.
I got a flolab screen protector (https://flolab.io/) and to be honest, I am very impressed. It is nonreflective and really barely noticeable.
Yes, it is more expensive, but compared to other screen protectors I have seen, this is really much better.
I second flolab. It’s pricier but it lasts and it’s great quality.
On the cheaper end, ESR was quite good
The flolab is the only screen protector I’ve ever used I didn’t rip off within hours. People don’t even believe me I have one installed it looks just like the natural screen!
That is an impressive demo on their site! Definitely what I’ve been looking for thank you!!
Also the ONLY one on the market that doesn’t rainbow with polarized sunglasses
Now that you mention it, yes I have polarized glasses and other people’s phones rainbow for me, mine (with the flolab) does not.
No screen protector will mirror the quality of Apples ceramic glass, and Apple uses a high quality oleophobic coating besides. Truth be, haven’t needed a screen protector in some years. Phones are remarkably durable now.
Phones are remarkably durable now
Even if you look after them perfectly the oleophobic coating starts to wear off with normal use after about six months.
iPhone 15 Pro Max is about 5 or 6 on a mohs scale. Beach sand is much harder than that and often very sharp, so if you ever go to the beach (I’m lucky enough to do that almost every day), you’re probably going to have sand in your pocket/bag and that will scratch the screen. My current screen protector is about 12 months old and has tens of thousands of micro scratches (only visible in certain lighting) and five or six deep gouges (visible whenever the screen is off). Time to replace the protector.
My screen protector is called “Apple care” and I’ve had 3 new phones in 3 years of ownership
I’ve never needed a screen protector on any iPhone. It’s gorilla glass. Stop putting your phone in the same pocket as your keys. Or, consider getting a wallet case that has one of those flaps that covers the screen when it’s shut.
Don’t use any. As you’ve mentioned, it takes away from the screen, has barely any oleophobic cover so it’s unpleasant to touch, and does jack-shit in case of actual damage. Screen protectors break easily to give a false sense of doing something.
I’ve already chipped my screen and am in general pretty clumsy so I can’t go without.
What I meant is that screen protector wouldn’t help anyway.
I’m not sure I buy that. They’re like bumpers on a car. They’re meant to crack to take the pressure off the display. I’d rather crack a $20 screen protector than the $200 display.
Screens usually crack due to force being applied at the edges since that’s how phones usually fall. Screen protector might help against screen shattering entirely but the crack will easily make it’s way regardless.
🤷 I dropped my previous phone with no screen protector, screen cracked. I dropped my current phone, screen protector cracked, screen is perfectly fine.
n=2, but enough for me to just keep a screen protector on at all times.
I submit my dozens of drops (I’m very clumsy) without screen protector as more of anecdotal evidence. I do use silicone case with raised edges. Had a cracked screen one time when it fell flat with screen hitting a small sharp rock. I’d say screen protector maybe could have saved it but I’m not convinced due to how unlucky that drop was.
