Owners: Screen Protector

[zetroc]

For those who have gotten lucky by either living abroad, order from abroad, or fooling Best Buy, how effective is the "fortified glass" screen? How resistant is it to scratches? How resistant is the olephobic coating?

Do you have a screen protector? Will you get a screen protector? Are you at all worried? Thanks!

 

[s.m.knipe]

For those who have gotten lucky by either living abroad, order from abroad, or fooling Best Buy, how effective is the "fortified glass" screen? How resistant is it to scratches? How resistant is the olephobic coating?

Do you have a screen protector? Will you get a screen protector? Are you at all worried? Thanks!

Much debate over this, but after 1-1/2 weeks, my glass/coating was scratched. Buy a screen protector, and if you order now it might arrive right when/just after you can get the phone (hopefully)...

 

[Fabolous]

I ran mine for about a week without a screen protector while mine was being shipped. No scratches, but I feel a lot better with it covered now.

I've had mixed results with these fortified glass screens.

Gorilla Glass:

Droid 1, Droid X - no protector, no scratches
Sensation - fine scratches, then covered with a protector - could no longer see them

"Fortified Glass":

Nexus S - no scratches. Ran it for a few months without a protector, then a Zagg.


So I decided not to take a chance with the Galaxy Nexus, as I plan to keep this until the next Nexus release.

Here's the protector I chose, great value and protection:

http://www.amazon.com/Skinomi-TechSkin-Screen-Protector-Samsung/dp/B005OTKTMQ

 

[s.m.knipe]

Here's the protector I chose, great value and protection:

http://www.amazon.com/Skinomi-TechSkin-Screen-Protector-Samsung/dp/B005OTKTMQ

I hate screen protectors (and cases), but realized this phone needs one. I was torn between this on and the XO skins one, and ended up with the XO skins (cheaper at the time when I ordered). But it hasn't arrived yet and if it feels too rubbery I might be back in the market. I want the SGP Oleophobic one, but it looks pretty bad not coming to the edge of the screen. If the XO skins one is a bust I'll probably end up with the Skinomi...

 

[mrvirginia]

i've been naked for about a week now and no scratches. i usually use a screen protector, but not this time. the reason i'm not this time is because i've never put a scratch on a screen protector, which is plastic and not as hard as glass. if you're in the same boat, i wouldn't bother.

 

[zetroc]

I have a Zagg InvisibleSHIELD on my Incredible, at first it was weird cuz it felt somewhat rubbery, but in time I got used to it, and I love it now. It is very protective, super easy to clean, and I bet when I take it off, the screen on my Inc will look like new! But Idk if I want a screen protector at all...

 

[DucatiDude]

I picked up one at the Verizon store today. It doesn't seem to stay on well. I ordered the one mentioned earlier.

 

[SolidOrange]

i have used ALOT of screen protectors in my day, here is a quick run down of my personal observations.


Verizon: these are terrible. way over priced, scratch more easily than the fortified glass alone, corners peel badly, etc. if you are interested in this level of protection, for whatever reason, here are 6 of them and a cleaning cloth for $2.30(click). Pretty sure they are more than that a piece at VZ.

Zagg: These are the thickest screen protectors i have used. Scratch protection and drop protection are awesome, but you give up some screen clarity. If you are prone to clumsiness or work/play in a rough environment, this would be my suggestion.

Skinomi: These can be found cheap, they have a slight "rubbery" feeling, but not nearly as much as the Zagg. Scratch protection is good, drop protection is above average. There is very little, if any, screen distortion. Overall a pretty good choice.

KlearKare: read Skinomi, subtract $2 from the price. These are my personal choice. Good all-around protection and super cheap to replace if you have to. Already have 1 in hand for my GNex.

Steinheil Crystal Clear/Ultra: these live up to their name. there is no "tacky" feeling, and 0 screen distortion. however, like most dry application protectors, they scratch pretty easily. they are also expensive to replace. if all you are worried about is screen quality and/or you always keep your device in a holster, go this route. i would not recommend it for pocket carry, they will scratch, and replacements are not cheap.

Steinheil Oleophobic: Same scratch/replacement issues as the Crystal Clear, but you lose a lot of screen quality. The matte finish gives a serious "blur" effect. If you are OCD about fingerprints, this may be the choice for you. I, personally, find that fingerprints you can wipe off are preferable to a screen that is constantly distorted.

have not tried: XO, Ghost Armor, Steinheil Flex, Steinheil Ultra Oleophobic, or PhantomSkinz. I would love to hear a review on those from anyone who has.

 

[clichename1221]

Personally, I don't see why you should waste like $15 for something like a screen protector. To me, I only use a screen protector to prevent scratches. No screen protector will ever save you from a cracked screen.

That is why I purchase vinyl and make my own screen protectors.
Here's a guide: Make Your Own Vinyl Screen Protector for Less Than a Nickel

Surprisingly, they work really well!

 

[edge]

I have been using XO Skins for years. They do not feel rubbery or have orange peel like other brands. They have a lifetime warranty and are a little cheaper than the other military grade skins. Here's their site Screen Protector | Screen Protectors | Shield | XO Skins

And here's their video. It shows what theirs looks like vs the orange peel kinds as well as a battery of other tests etc.

XO Skins Screen Protectors - YouTube

I have my nexus skin here already, but have yet to receive a Nexus phone as I am sure most everyone else is in the same boat.

When I install, I steam up my bathroom to drop all the dust out of the air. Wash your hands very well and have them wet before you peel off the skin and apply it. Hope that helps.

 

[mrvirginia]

Steinheil Ultra Oleophobic: Same scratch/replacement issues as the Crystal Clear, but you lose a lot of screen quality. The matte finish gives a serious "blur" effect. If you are OCD about fingerprints, this may be the choice for you. I, personally, find that fingerprints you can wipe off are preferable to a screen that is constantly distorted.

this is incorrect. you are thinking about either the Ultra Optics, Ultra Fine, or Premium Matte. each one of these has a matte film finish. the Ultra Oleo is just like the Crystal Clear except it has an oil-resistance coating.

regardless, theirs are not edge to edge on the screen so in this instance i would advice against Steinheil for the GNex.

 

[fastharryDOTcom]

i have used ALOT of screen protectors in my day, here is a quick run down of my personal observations.


Verizon: these are terrible. way over priced, scratch more easily than the fortified glass alone, corners peel badly, etc. if you are interested in this level of protection, for whatever reason, here are 6 of them and a cleaning cloth for $2.30(

click). Pretty sure they are more than that a piece at VZ.

Zagg: These are the thickest screen protectors i have used. Scratch protection and drop protection are awesome, but you give up some screen clarity. If you are prone to clumsiness or work/play in a rough environment, this would be my suggestion.

Skinomi: These can be found cheap, they have a slight "rubbery" feeling, but not nearly as much as the Zagg. Scratch protection is good, drop protection is above average. There is very little, if any, screen distortion. Overall a pretty good choice.

KlearKare: read Skinomi, subtract $2 from the price. These are my personal choice. Good all-around protection and super cheap to replace if you have to. Already have 1 in hand for my GNex.

Steinheil Crystal Clear/Ultra: these live up to their name. there is no "tacky" feeling, and 0 screen distortion. however, like most dry application protectors, they scratch pretty easily. they are also expensive to replace. if all you are worried about is screen quality and/or you always keep your device in a holster, go this route. i would not recommend it for pocket carry, they will scratch, and replacements are not cheap.

Steinheil Ultra Oleophobic: Same scratch/replacement issues as the Crystal Clear, but you lose a lot of screen quality. The matte finish gives a serious "blur" effect. If you are OCD about fingerprints, this may be the choice for you. I, personally, find that fingerprints you can wipe off are preferable to a screen that is constantly distorted.

have not tried: XO, Ghost Armor, Steinheil Flex, or PhantomSkinz. I would love to hear a review on those from anyone who has.

I was looking at KlearKare for other stuff, but on Amazon they look like they are red...though the nexus is clear in the pic...Are they read or is that the protective layers...even on their site they are red,.,

Thanks

 

[allen2oo3]

regardless, theirs are not edge to edge on the screen so in this instance i would advice against Steinheil for the GNex.

could you go into more detail about this? do you have the one for the nexus or are you speaking from past experiences? i've had a couple of their screen protectors and they have always been edge to edge

 

[SolidOrange]

I was looking at KlearKare for other stuff, but on Amazon they look like they are red...though the nexus is clear in the pic...Are they read or is that the protective layers...even on their site they are red,.,

Thanks

i am confused by this question, but i think the answer you are looking for is that they are clear. every screen protector i have ever seen is clear.

 

[fastharryDOTcom]

i am confused by this question, but i think the answer you are looking for is that they are clear. every screen protector i have ever seen is clear.

here's what I mean..


KlearKare | Military Grade Scratch Protection [ Motorola ]

 

[SolidOrange]

this is incorrect. you are thinking about either the Ultra Optics, Ultra Fine, or Premium Matte. each one of these has a matte film finish. the Ultra Oleo is just like the Crystal Clear except it has an oil-resistance coating.

regardless, theirs are not edge to edge on the screen so in this instance i would advice against Steinheil for the GNex.

the oleophobic i had was definitely a matte finish. it looks like they now offer an "ultra oleophobic" in clear though. will update my post to reflect this.

 

[SolidOrange]

here's what I mean..


KlearKare | Military Grade Scratch Protection [ Motorola ]

just red to show you an accurate size. they are definitely not red or tinted in real life.

 

[fastharryDOTcom]

just red to show you an accurate size. they are definitely not red or tinted in real life.

thanks

 

[kyler13]

I've used Steinheil Crystal protectors on the Incredible and now on my Charge. I can atest to the fact that they do a good job protecting the screen, but they collect fine scratches over time and dull the clarity a little bit. Probably hard to notice as it slowly and subtley happens over months. Back after I had already gotten the Steinheil for my Charge, I was directed towards Wrapsol screen protectors by someone that swore by them. It is dry application, but supposedly self-healing so it won't accumulate scratches; basically the surface qualities of a wet application without the wet application. I think I'm going with Wrapsol this time around.

 

[allen2oo3]

here's what I mean..


KlearKare | Military Grade Scratch Protection [ Motorola ]

Sorry, I am dumb. Thought for some reason you were talking about sgp. Thanks

 

[Shockwave78]

i stopped buying all the big name brand screen protectors about 3yrs ago when i discovered monoprice sells them also. I buy everything from monoprice but never thought to look for screen protectors there. The ones for the iphone were about $.75 a piece and were just as good as the zagg or sgp..maybe not 100% as good but for 2000% cheaper its a no brainer IMO. You can buy 20 monoprice for the price of one of these other brands.

They have nothing on the Galaxy Nexus yet but im sure they will. Keep an eye out for them if you have never tried them before, cant lose for only a buck!

*EDIT*

I did order the SGP again though as there is nothing really else out there at the moment..SGP was very good before i started buying the monoprice

 

[SolidOrange]

I've used Steinheil Crystal protectors on the Incredible and now on my Charge. I can atest to the fact that they do a good job protecting the screen, but they collect fine scratches over time and dull the clarity a little bit. Probably hard to notice as it slowly and subtley happens over months. Back after I had already gotten the Steinheil for my Charge, I was directed towards Wrapsol screen protectors by someone that swore by them. It is dry application, but supposedly self-healing so it won't accumulate scratches; basically the surface qualities of a wet application without the wet application. I think I'm going with Wrapsol this time around.

wrapsol looks nice, but i will never be able to justify paying $15+ for a screen protector. with so many good options for under $5 out now, why spend 3x as much? sure, they may be slightly better, but they certainly aren't 300-500% better, as the price would indicate.

 

[kyler13]

wrapsol looks nice, but i will never be able to justify paying $15+ for a screen protector. with so many good options for under $5 out now, why spend 3x as much? sure, they may be slightly better, but they certainly aren't 300-500% better, as the price would indicate.

IMO, you get what you pay for, and the options under $5 aren't that good from my experience. Perhaps it's just the environment my phone is exposed to. The Steinheil is VERY clear, better than the Verizon ones, yet still collects scratches, eventually. It's all a balancing act with engineering the material. Clarity and protecting the display is important to me, and I'm interested in seeing if wrapsol is all that. I'll save my money on the case.

 

[fastharryDOTcom]

i am confused by this question, but i think the answer you are looking for is that they are clear. every screen protector i have ever seen is clear.

thanks....would you consider the KLearKare anti-glare?

 

[SolidOrange]

thanks....would you consider the KLearKare anti-glare?

not really. it may cut down slightly because it is plastic, not glass, but glare still made my thunderbolt screen hard to read occasionally. of course, the thunderbolt screen was terrible in direct sunlight anyway, so take that for what it's worth.