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Are all screen protectors the same?

Iowabucks

Newbie
Apr 20, 2012
16
0
SE Iowa
Hey everyone, i see all different brands of screen protectors out there. Some cheap, some not so cheap. Are they all pretty much the same or is there a difference in quality that makes it worth buying the better ones?

The ones i use right now work well but do get scuffed up pretty fast. And i cannot see the screen very well when i'm wearing sunglasses or in direct sunlight. Is that a problem i'm going to have to deal with no matter what brand i get?

Should i go cheap or spend some bucks? I have a Motorola Triumph ordered so thats what i will be needing them for.

Thanks, Jerry.
 
Are they all pretty much the same or is there a difference in quality that makes it worth buying the better ones?

Hey, nice username! :thumbup:

I think it depends. My wife is perfectly happy with the el cheapo protectors. If one goes bad, I just slap on another one for her. On my phone, I only use Zagg (Invisibleshield). I've heard great things about the Steinheil but I can pick up the Zagg off the shelf here so that's why I started using them and still do. Bottom line, there's a few top end options and it comes down to personal choice/availability/etc.

One thing to note is that some people don't like them because of their more "rubbery" feel but I prefer it. And others say they have a slight orange peel look. That may be true to a degree but it's a non-issue when the screen is powered on and it's a non-issue to me altogether.

And finally, they are not that easy to install IMO. They look kinda bad for the first while until all the liquid solution that's used during the application process has dried out. The key I've found is using ample liquid, don't get you fingerprints on the bottom side of the protector, press out all the air bubbles you can possibly get using the provided plastic scraper and then wait a few hours before judging the outcome. :)
 
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I agree with iowabowtech.

The only thing I would add is that I like my Zagg invisible shield. Also, do not purchase the "anti-fingerprint" Zagg. There have been a lot of reports about it reducing the display clarity.

The only other screen protector I would recommend is SGP Steinhels Ultra series. They are pretty amazing! They have several different options and you'd have to read how they are different, but they are supposed to be extremely high quality.

~ ArmyX
 
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The only other screen protector I would recommend is SGP Steinhels Ultra series. They are pretty amazing! They have several different options and you'd have to read how they are different, but they are supposed to be extremely high quality.

~ ArmyX

Steinhel SGP Oleophobic is what I use and love it. Still on my original one with no peeling, no bubbles, nothing after 4+ months. They do not require the liquid install method either, just peel and stick and it works GREAT!
 
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Steinhel SGP Oleophobic is what I use and love it. Still on my original one with no peeling, no bubbles, nothing after 4+ months. They do not require the liquid install method either, just peel and stick and it works GREAT!


I'm going to be the 3rd person to suggest Steinheil, they definitely make the best screen protectors out there. My currently screen protector is a Steinheil SGP Glas.t, it's by far the best screen protector I've ever had and well worth the $40.

SPIGEN SGP Samsung Galaxy Note Screen Protector GLAS.t Premium Tempered Glass Series - GALAXY NOTE - Samsung - Cell Phones
 
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Do you guys find the screen protectors really useful?
I did use them with PDAs, which had resistive screens, and needed a stylus, because the stylus did leave marks after several months. An extra protective film helped there. But with the capacitive screens and finger-friendly UI I don't see the real need for a screen protector. Had an Android phone for more than 2 years, and its screen is still like new. Especially those modern Gorilla-glass screens seem to be pretty tough.
 
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Do you guys find the screen protectors really useful?
I did use them with PDAs, which had resistive screens, and needed a stylus, because the stylus did leave marks after several months. An extra protective film helped there. But with the capacitive screens and finger-friendly UI I don't see the real need for a screen protector. Had an Android phone for more than 2 years, and its screen is still like new. Especially those modern Gorilla-glass screens seem to be pretty tough.

I generally use them... Although if my MT4GS phone had a gorilla glass screen (like my MT does) I wouldn't... Although I did use it on my MT when I was using it as a phone. Plastic screens aren't as scratch resistant, granted I dropped my LG Optimus V (which has a plastic screen) once without a screen protector and it barely got scratched. If a phone has a plastic screen I would use a screen protector just to be safe. Gorilla Glass is pretty much optional IMO. Sometimes screen protectors can have a nicer feel, plus it gives that extra layer of protection.

So them being useful really depends from person to person and phone to phone. Some people like knowing that they have that extra layer even if it doesn't necessarily do anything.
 
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Do you guys find the screen protectors really useful?
I did use them with PDAs, which had resistive screens, and needed a stylus, because the stylus did leave marks after several months. An extra protective film helped there. But with the capacitive screens and finger-friendly UI I don't see the real need for a screen protector. Had an Android phone for more than 2 years, and its screen is still like new. Especially those modern Gorilla-glass screens seem to be pretty tough.

I don't see the point. That Gorilla Glass is tough stuff.

I've been dragging around my Dinc for a year and a half with no screen protector. It mostly lives in my pocket - and I keep other stuff in the same pocket, too. It has one teenie, tiny scratch that isn't even noticeable unless the screen is off and you're looking for it.

You know what it took to make that tiny scratch? A forceful 4-foot drop face-down onto busted up concrete.

If that's what it takes to make a tiny little knick, I'm not going to worry about it. I honestly have no idea how people manage to break their screens.
 
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They all have a few things in common:
1) A ballache to apply
2) After about 5 mins, they make your screen look dull and shabby
3) They attract more grime than not
4) The glass on most modern phones is naturally scratch resistant, you don't need a layer of plastic to protect it
5) If your screen is impacted with enough force to crack or smash your screen, a screen protector will do little apart from stop glass flying everywhere
6) They are a total waste of money

That's just my take on things. Covers I can see the point of, screen protectors I cannot :D
 
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Hey, nice username! :thumbup:

I think it depends. My wife is perfectly happy with the el cheapo protectors. If one goes bad, I just slap on another one for her. On my phone, I only use Zagg (Invisibleshield). I've heard great things about the Steinheil but I can pick up the Zagg off the shelf here so that's why I started using them and still do. Bottom line, there's a few top end options and it comes down to personal choice/availability/etc.

One thing to note is that some people don't like them because of their more "rubbery" feel but I prefer it. And others say they have a slight orange peel look. That may be true to a degree but it's a non-issue when the screen is powered on and it's a non-issue to me altogether.

And finally, they are not that easy to install IMO. They look kinda bad for the first while until all the liquid solution that's used during the application process has dried out. The key I've found is using ample liquid, don't get you fingerprints on the bottom side of the protector, press out all the air bubbles you can possibly get using the provided plastic scraper and then wait a few hours before judging the outcome. :)

I was gonna say that!

But yeah, always quality first OP
 
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Just my two cents on screen protectors in general...

I actually have a screen protector on my HTC EVO. It was suggested by the Sprint sales woman, and she installed it. I have to say that I am actually happy with it. I have had the same screen protector for over a year and no scratches on the screen at all.

As for phones with Gorilla Glass, while I have never owned a phone with it, a lot of friends with VZW phones do. None of them have screen protectors on their phones. So my personal opinion is that if you have (or get) a phone with standard screen, I would recommend getting a screen protector. If you have (or get) a phone with Gorilla Glass, you probably don't need it.

Just my thoughts
 
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Just my two cents on screen protectors in general...

I actually have a screen protector on my HTC EVO. It was suggested by the Sprint sales woman, and she installed it. I have to say that I am actually happy with it. I have had the same screen protector for over a year and no scratches on the screen at all.

As for phones with Gorilla Glass, while I have never owned a phone with it, a lot of friends with VZW phones do. None of them have screen protectors on their phones. So my personal opinion is that if you have (or get) a phone with standard screen, I would recommend getting a screen protector. If you have (or get) a phone with Gorilla Glass, you probably don't need it.

Just my thoughts

Just a word of small advice, don't take what wireless sales reps say too seriously. Remember they work on commission, and have ulterior motives($) to get you to purchase things.
 
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I have used many screen protectors. I used Screen Guardz from Body Guardz (BodyGuardz Protection for Mobile Devices | Screen Protectors, iPhone, iPad, Android, iPod, Blackberry, Skins, Covers, Protection, Cases, Shields) on my BlackBerry. But the ONLY one I ever removed was the one on my HTC Touch Pro 2 (the generic ones they sell in the stores). That screen protector was the worst I have ever used. It was scratched so bad I couldn't see the screen.

I also have an Invisible Shield on my iPad that has held up the 2 years I have had it.
 
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The thing is, if you put a screen protector on, it is softer than the glass it is protecting and as such picks up scratches. The plastic/silicon film gets scratched, where your glass screen would have been fine and as a result you end up with a scratched grime catcher over your screen.
I'm sure some folk think that because the protector is scratched, it would have been their screen had they not have had the protector on. That's rubbish of course. The protector is damaged because it is softer than the glass.

You don't need them, honest!! :D
 
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The thing is, if you put a screen protector on, it is softer than the glass it is protecting and as such picks up scratches. The plastic/silicon film gets scratched, where your glass screen would have been fine and as a result you end up with a scratched grime catcher over your screen.
I'm sure some folk think that because the protector is scratched, it would have been their screen had they not have had the protector on. That's rubbish of course. The protector is damaged because it is softer than the glass.

You don't need them, honest!! :D

While I'm inclined to agree with you on the fact that the plastic film is less scratch resistant than the screen, some people prefer the peace-of-mind they get from installing a screen protector.

I used to be all about screen protectors. I liked my SGP. I liked the peace-of-mind knowing that the screen protector will get scratched before my screen. But eventually my case peeled it up (from me taking it off and pulling the battery due to rooting) and I got air bubbles and dust under it, so I took it off. I haven't bothered putting anything else on.

But I wouldn't say that people don't need it. Some people might work in sandy areas and have sand/dirt in their pockets. Or just live in a sandy area. If I lived in southern California, Nevada, or Arizona, I'd probably would have had a new protector already.
 
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They all have a few things in common:
1) A ballache to apply
2) After about 5 mins, they make your screen look dull and shabby
3) They attract more grime than not
4) The glass on most modern phones is naturally scratch resistant, you don't need a layer of plastic to protect it
5) If your screen is impacted with enough force to crack or smash your screen, a screen protector will do little apart from stop glass flying everywhere
6) They are a total waste of money

That's just my take on things. Covers I can see the point of, screen protectors I cannot :D

I don't know how many times I've had to tell this story, but I'll tell it again. I will always, always, ALWAYS keep a screen protector on my phone because of this. Wife and I were sitting on the couch and I had my phone sitting right by me. Wife was sitting a couple of feet away with some school work spread out and reached for a pen. Her engagement ring grazed my phone as she was reaching for the pen. A few minutes later I picked up the phone to check something and low and behold if there wasn't a 2" long gash. Not a surface scratch, you could feel it. Had the phone for less than a month and that happened. Things happen no matter how careful you are. I was sitting on the couch and didn't drop it or anything and ended up with that kind of gash on the screen. This was an OG Droid with Gorilla Glass. They are scratch and shatter RESISTANT, not scratch and shatter-proof. Before anyone says "It as the diamond and diamonds are harder than glass, duh!"...no, it wasn't. The setting the diamond is in does not expose any edges that could scratch the phone. It was the soft metal 18k gold prongs that did it.
 
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