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Seidio VITREO Tempered Glass review w/lots of pics!!!

twister6

Android Expert
Jul 30, 2010
2,247
928
This is a review of Seidio VITREO Tempered Glass for Note 2. SEIDIO | VITREO for Samsung Galaxy Note 2

My screen protector experience is based purely on dry installs where I typically prefer 3H hardness-rated PET film. I always look at screen protector as disposable/replaceable cheap option because even the best one will get scratches at some point. But in a back of my mind I always wondered about tempered glass material which is a lot more durable (typically 9H hardness) and more impact absorbing on a direct contact. And of course, glass will feel like a glass!!! It will cost more, but perhaps will last a lifetime of the phone so you don't have to replace/buy more regular screen protectors. At the same time, this is really a premium luxury option :)

I have read a number of reviews for other tempered glass screen protectors and found one common problem. Its a glass which has less flexibility than a plastic screen protector, and in combination with curved Note 2 glass - a lot of people complain about edges not sticking with their other screen protectors. Furthermore, I noticed some designs use completely enclosed cutout around Home button, and in conjunction with thickness of the tempered glass you will actually need to add a stick-on Home button to raise it up so it doesn't feel recessed. So with all that in mind, I decided to give it a shot. To quote their spec:

- High grade tempered glass with a 9H hardness rating prevents damage in the event of scratches and abrasions
- Tapered (rounded) edges provide a premium and more aesthetically enhanced profile for your device
- Engineered to reinforce the strength of the critical points of impact which results in prolonged durability
- Oleophobic coating resists marks and smudges with advanced technology that reduces the appearance of fingerprints
- Designed precisely for your device with slim cut to prevent bubbling around edges
- Allows touch sensitivity and enhances optical clarity
- Easy installation without bubbling and lifting
- Only 0.55mm (0.02in) thin

Since this is my first tempered glass install, I actually found it to be easier because with a sturdier piece of glass, versus a typical dry install flexible screen protector, it's easier to hold it in your hands while positioning. Most of the positioning work goes into trying to align it with visible part of the display. Unfortunately, the width of this glass is probably 1mm wider than visible area of the screen so its not an easy task. If you don't have a steady hand or OCD, forget about it lol!!! Looked like the sticky side has some kind of a glue substance. I didn't see any bubbles, but noticed what seems to be like "wet" spots. I tried my best massaging it out, but probably at least a dozen still remained. When you put a pressure on it - it disappears, but then it was back.

About the glass itself. Edges are very nicely rounded off and VERY smooth. While sliding the finger over the edge you feel a very smooth transition. Thickness of the glass is higher than Home button, so the button feels a bit recessed. Doesn't feel too bad since Home button opening is not enclosed. I might consider Home button sticker in the future. But as of now, I don't feel it's necessary. Everything is crystal clear, colors come through like with original glass screen, and it feels like a real smooth glass. S-pen glides smoothly too. Overall touch sensitivity and feeling is like you have an original glass display. Also, doesn't pick up too much fingerprints.

And here is the-morning-after UPDATE. I run my finger across the screen and every wet spot just disappeared!!!!!! This is a picture of PERFECTION!!! No bubbles, no spots, no lifting edges, just perfect and smooth. The only comment, since it has oleophobic coating, glass feels a little slippery right now which noticeable when you need to press'n'hold while using the phone (like press'n'hold on the link to open in another window of the browser). I believe that will wear off since it's a brand new layer of coating.

Here are the pictures. This one is a KEEPER!!!

Pre-install pictures:

vitreo-n2-01_zps49a0d3ff.jpg


vitreo-n2-02_zps266aeda4.jpg


vitreo-n2-03_zps73b14e68.jpg


vitreo-n2-04_zps0a7ff00a.jpg


vitreo-n2-05_zps279c1524.jpg


vitreo-n2-06_zpsb2c6aa3e.jpg


vitreo-n2-07_zps814d5bcf.jpg


vitreo-n2-08_zps73b4a15f.jpg


vitreo-n2-09_zpsca52d6ab.jpg


vitreo-n2-10_zpsabf26271.jpg


vitreo-n2-11_zpsb000fa9e.jpg


Right after install pictures:

vitreo_install-02_zpsdf184e0b.jpg


vitreo_install-03_zps69125557.jpg


vitreo_install-04_zps321abfb8.jpg


vitreo_install-05_zps8bd57925.jpg


vitreo_install-06_zps9669f27d.jpg


vitreo_install-07_zps57766b0d.jpg


vitreo_install-08_zps1edafc3b.jpg


vitreo_install-09_zps41c2df67.jpg


vitreo_install-10_zps6a802ca6.jpg


vitreo_install-11_zps5d7cc796.jpg


vitreo_install-12_zpse4c27e49.jpg


vitreo_install-13_zps0243b37f.jpg


The morning-after install, FINAL pictures:

vitreo_install-day1-01_zpscac3e195.jpg


vitreo_install-day1-02_zpsef075db9.jpg


vitreo_install-day1-03_zpsbf5c3642.jpg
 
I know that i am in the minority with this...but that protector does not look good on the phone. I am sure that it is of good quality, but the 4 corners of the screen looks like crap...the glass seems too thick. It does not "disappear" like what you get with high quality plastic protectors. For me, a protector must be invisible AND protective.

I am not using a protector on my N2...first time i am going naked. But, i rather get PET protector than this glass product...simply from aesthetic point of view.

Thanks Twist for the review...always informative!
 
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I know that i am in the minority with this...but that protector does not look good on the phone. I am sure that it is of good quality, but the 4 corners of the screen looks like crap...the glass seems too thick. It does not "disappear" like what you get with high quality plastic protectors. For me, a protector must be invisible AND protective.

I am not using a protector on my N2...first time i am going naked. But, i rather get PET protector than this glass product...simply from aesthetic point of view.

Thanks Twist for the review...always informative!

You are not in minority. Its a valid comment. When it comes to Note 2, I think case is a must have accessory, while screen protector IMHO is a need to have accessory. Fortunately, there are different options and price ranges for each. Tempered glass is NOT for everybody. You know I'm not trying to sell it in the forum :) I just had a great opportunity to review it and to give you my honest opinion about it. It is a very pricey accessory and I know some might argue about cheaper alternatives (glass ones). I haven't tested any other tempered glass options, so can't comment from a first hand experience. But I do know is that I read A LOT of on-line comments with complains about non-sticking edges and bubbles that don't go away with other glass screen protectors. If you decide to go with this "luxury" option of screen protection, just do your homework. Hopefully I provided enough review material to answer all the questions about this particular product.

Regarding your comments about VITREO itself. I tried to zoom and focus as best as I can with pictures, so obviously glass part look gigantic but put it in perspective with proportion of the phone. It looks worse in a zoomed in picture than it actually is :) and step transition is very smooth. Now that I think more about it, I actually realized that having width of the glass itself almost exactly as the width of visible display lcd part - is to it's advantage. It would look really weird if the edge would end in the middle of white bezel part of the screen where you will see the edge. Having glass edge right at the border of white bezel and black LCD part is very clean. I don't think tempered glass is a novelty accessory, but like I mentioned before - its NOT for everybody. So if you decide to go with, I think this glass offers a better design, quality, and installation than others.

Btw, thanks to everybody for positive feedback about my reviews. It does take a chunk of my time to put together, but at the end I'm happy I can help others even if you just enjoyed looking at the pictures :D
 
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I knew this question will come up, drex :) Well, there is 18-page thread in XDA on MIME glass with a lot of complaints about edges not sticking and people still having bubbles that don't go away weeks after install. They have also threads about other brands with similar issues. I never installed MIME so can't comment about it from first hand experience, but reading those on-line reviews and looking at the pictures people posted, I can tell you with certainty it will be a cheaper value but not a better value. Indeed, this is a lot of money to spend for a screen protector. So if you decide to invest in tempered glass, do your homework by reading all the on-line reviews and comments, please :)

Thanks for that tidbit of info. I'm sure it'll help people when they make a decision on purchasing.

Don't really intend to buy either, right now (maybe later down the line for my International Note 2. I mainly asked that question because I remembered the MIME version being cheaper. Obviously, there is a little history of complaint about that one, so good that you brought that up. Keep us posted on how this one holds up after a while.
 
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Thanks Twister for this informative review. I had the Spigen glas.t with my original Note. Even with 8H rating, I still managed to scratch the screen. LOL. But it was barely noticeable. Once I scrounge enough funds I will be looking into this.

I have been looking for a tempered glass protector since day 1 I had my Note 2. Never got one because of the negative stuff I've been reading about them. This might be the first one I will seriously consider.

Twister, do you notice any input issues with it so far? Touch response, S Pen input? The glas.t did have some minor issue with response and lag. But not considerable on the original Note.

TIA.
 
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Thanks Twister for this informative review. I had the Spigen glas.t with my original Note. Even with 8H rating, I still managed to scratch the screen. LOL. But it was barely noticeable. Once I scrounge enough funds I will be looking into this.

I have been looking for a tempered glass protector since day 1 I had my Note 2. Never got one because of the negative stuff I've been reading about them. This might be the first one I will seriously consider.

Twister, do you notice any input issues with it so far? Touch response, S Pen input? The glas.t did have some minor issue with response and lag. But not considerable on the original Note.

TIA.

No input issues. If it wouldn't be for the edge of the glass, I wouldn't even know I have anything on. It's a pure glass experience, no reduction in sensitive, and crystal clear view. It's even slippery like a real glass, something I'm noticing after using PET screen protector for the last 4 months (which had some plasticy feeling). The only negative so far, if you can even consider that as negative, you get more reflection outside than with screen protector. But again, it's a pure property of the glass.

Honestly, I was a little skeptical when I received this review sample from Seidio. To my surprise, this was the fastest and the easiest install (in comparison to all the numerous dry installs I've done in the past), and I'm very pleased with end result. As I mentioned before, this is not one of those absolutely-must-have accessories because its pricey and some might not want a thick glass layer on top of original glass. But if you are considering investing into tempered glass protector - this is definitely a top choice.
 
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Thanks for the reply Twister.

The lag and input issue I have wasn't the glass itself on the Spigen. It had more to deal with the type of adhesive used which could cause interference. Which is probably why Spigen never released a Note 2 version of the Glas.t. But the issue on the Note was minor.

It looks like Seido overcame most of the issues plagued with previous tempered glass protectors from other manufacturers. Good to know.

Thanks again! :D
 
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Interesting. This is actually my first time seeing glass protection with glass (tempered). Probably because I like my previous phones naked so haven't really looked much into screen protection or case. I do currently have the Spigen Oleopobic version on right now because the screen real estate on this thing is huge and I might not be able to keep it from being scratched as with my previous phones. The Spigen is shaped similar to yours. Where I can feel the lip when swiping about the edges, which is kind of annoying and I have a feeling the thicker glass version will annoys me even more so.

Good to know though, just in case I want to go this route in the future. Thanks.
 
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I love the look of this screen protector. If I had a Verizon phone, I would consider the thickness it adds to be a bonus enabling me to use a home button sticker to cover up that logo. :)

That was my original plan, to get either Spigen or MIME home button sticker. But after a short awhile of using it I really started to dig recessed feeling of the home button. Vitreo is smooth like a real glass, and when you slide your finger - it goes right into that pocket. I put that screen protector through A LOT of abuse, and it's still like brand new. Also minimum fingerprint accumulation, and whatever I get some - wipes out with a finger, don't even need a wiping cloth.

For those who are annoyed with a glare, probably not the best choice since we are talking about crystal clear glass.
 
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hey Vectron,(I mean "twister"), I dont know if you mentioned anywhere, what is the smudge factor with this protector?
do fingerprints/face smears/smudges show up everytime you touch it?
having to wipe it off several times a day would be a PITA..

Thanks!

Yeah, yeah, been "twister" all my life until that mistake of registering on XDA as "vectron" just to PM someone with a question without thinking I will come back a year later to start posting like crazy in two different forums under two different names, except on AF I get a respect of my summary post "sticky" ;) Not everybody have the same forum name and memorable avatar, wase ;)

So you asked me a question, and I'm sitting now at work wiping my phone screen across my face :D to see how bad it gets. People here already think I'm nuts showcasing every week a new case or a new accessory, now I think they will put me in a straitjacket :p

But anyway, just like with any glass you will get fingerprints or oil marks, but its far less than with a regular PET screen protector. What sets this apart is how easy it wipes off without even a need for a cleaning cloth. It's part of oleophobic nature of this glass. With screen protectors oil/fingerprints just get smudged around because that craps bonds to the plastic. With this glass as you swipe it - it bonds to your finger. I mean, there are some extreme cases when my 5 year old grabs the phone and I have to use a cleaning cloth, but in everyday use if/when I see smudges on the screen I just swipe my finger and its GONE! Oh, and swiping the finger on this glass is probably smoother than original Note 2 screen glass. Also, its amazing of how strong this glass it. Now since I'm using Zerolemon with their TPU case, my Vitreo is on the same level as lip of that tpu case. So putting the screen down on a surface often means direct contact with tempered glass, and I'm very pleased of how strong and scratch proof this screen protector has been!
 
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Don't you think it would have been better to have the glass cover the entire front of the phone (besides the speaker grill)? I remember watching a video review of a glass SP for the Galaxy Nexus that covered the entire front of the phone, like a second layer, edge to edge.

Here it is...


It looks like the Seidio SP has beveled edges, which is cool, but to me it'd make more sense to go edge to edge.
 
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Don't you think it would have been better to have the glass cover the entire front of the phone (besides the speaker grill)? I remember watching a video review of a glass SP for the Galaxy Nexus that covered the entire front of the phone, like a second layer, edge to edge.

Here it is...


It looks like the Seidio SP has beveled edges, which is cool, but to me it'd make more sense to go edge to edge.

I was kinda hoping that this would be the design for the Note 2, since the MEME version for the S3 is the same as the Nexus, where they created a bezel as well.
 
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Don't you think it would have been better to have the glass cover the entire front of the phone (besides the speaker grill)? I remember watching a video review of a glass SP for the Galaxy Nexus that covered the entire front of the phone, like a second layer, edge to edge.

Here it is...
...

It looks like the Seidio SP has beveled edges, which is cool, but to me it'd make more sense to go edge to edge.

The problem is that Note 2 screen is curved toward the edge. When you have a flexible plastic screen protector it will bend and stick to the surface. But when you are dealing with a thick piece of tempered glass, it will not bend at the edges and will not stick in there. That is a main complain with MIME and other tempered glass manufacturers. Seidio did their homework and found that cutout to be the most optimal shape for all edges to stick properly. As a matter of fact, I recently heard MIME had to redesign their glass and will be coming out with a new version.
 
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