Best Screen Protector for GS 4

[jds4000]

Best screen protector for GS 4 ? Any ideas ?

Update: IMO the winner is the Spigen GLAS.t SLIM Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Galaxy S4 (0.23mm). $28 on Amazon. There is also a 0.4mm variant for $35. Either product would be a GREAT choice to enhance the protection of the AWESOME GS4 display.

Gorilla Glass 3 which protects our display on the GS4 has a Moh's Hardness rating of 7. Spigen Tempered Glass has a Moh's Hardness rating of 8-9. The rating scale ranges from a low of 1 to a high of 10. See below links for more info please.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1866049

http://chemistry.about.com/od/geochemistry/a/mohsscale.htm

 

[JimmyTheSaint]

Gorilla Glass 3.

Seriously. Up till now, within 5 minutes of buying a phone I break down and install a screen protector. This time, I'm thinking the Gorilla Glass is just too sweet: not only does it feel buttery smooth and better than any screen protector I've tried, but after a few days of use I still can't detect any skin oil residue. This is one oleophobic mf. My screen protectors, even when they look and feel almost as good, always require wiping down with a cleaning fluid every few days. So I'm going to try riding bareback this time. I really hope I don't end up regretting it, but the S4's screen just feels too good.

 

[KupKrazy]

Best screen protector for GS 4 ? Any ideas ?

I have the Spigen GLAS.t SLIM tempered glass screen protector on mine and because it is glass, it really doesn't feel like a screen protector. I absolutely love it thus far and managed to get it on without any dust particles since I did it in my steamy bathroom. It looks great and like I said, it doesn't appear or feel like there is any protector on it. It's not cheap ($28) but I like it a billion times more than those Zagg like protectors.

 

[TrustSerenity]

I have the zagg hd screen protector on mine and I love it. It doesn't even look or feel like I have a screen protector on. Plus you can't go wrong with the lifetime free replacement.

 

[sincarafan]

I just use the cheap ones from ebay lol I know we have Gorilla Glass 3 but drop test show that the screens can still break so it's better than nothing. I used one of the armor guard ones on my old phone and wont go that route again with protectors that require having to use solution to apply. Was a pain for me.

 

[speedlever]

I put an ifrogz screen protector on my GS4 when I got it because that's what the AT&T store had. I ordered some iSmooth screen protectors for when I need to replace the ifrogz. I previously used them on my GN2 and liked them. I prefer the dry application over the wet application methods. I just use my microfiber cloth to clean it every now and then.

More to the point is finding a case that I like. I put the Speck Candyshell on mine (about the best of the few choices at the store) but don't like it. Too slippery for me. I want something minimalist that I can slip in my back pocket or put in a slipper case of some kind on my belt. I need to run by BestBuy and see what they have in the way of cases.

 

[ParishL31]

I have the zagg hd screen protector on mine and I love it. It doesn't even look or feel like I have a screen protector on. Plus you can't go wrong with the lifetime free replacement.

+1 for Zagg and free replacements. Yeah, you pay $4 for shipping, but better than paying full price for a replacement. I opted for the Zagg Extreme version though.

 

[lotus49]

None at all.

I hate the stupid things. They never look or feel anywhere near as good as the naked glass so just be careful with your phone. I didn't have one on my iPhone 3GS or my Galaxy SII and in five years between the two phones, I didn't get a single scratch on either.

 

[bobby2478]

+1 for Zagg and free replacements. Yeah, you pay $4 for shipping, but better than paying full price for a replacement. I opted for the Zagg Extreme version though.

I've always steered clear of Zagg on touch screens in the past because I didn't like the somewhat sticky / rubbery feel. My finger wouldn't glide across it as smooth as it did on the glass screen. It wasn't huge, but just enough resistance that I didn't like how it felt.

Are there any different Zagg models that don't have his type of rubbery finish? I always liked the plastic screen protectors that applied by static cling (no adhesive). They feel almost just like the stock glass on the phone.

 

[Shocky]

I'm using a cheap one I bought off ebay, pack of 10 for

 

[EarlyMon]

I've always steered clear of Zagg on touch screens in the past because I didn't like the somewhat sticky / rubbery feel. My finger wouldn't glide across it as smooth as it did on the glass screen. It wasn't huge, but just enough resistance that I didn't like how it felt.

Are there any different Zagg models that don't have his type of rubbery finish? I always liked the plastic screen protectors that applied by static cling (no adhesive). They feel almost just like the stock glass on the phone.

The non-glare Zaggs grab at you, the others feel very smooth unless you press down. I think it's the standard Invisishield, last one of those I used, I could use less pressure than on the bare glass and got better response.

 

[bobby2478]

The non-glare Zaggs grab at you, the others feel very smooth unless you press down. I think it's the standard Invisishield, last one of those I used, I could use less pressure than on the bare glass and got better response.

The ones I think I've tried are the standard Invisishield, the most common one at Best Buy that isn't non-glare. It's smooth, and you're right I notice whenever I press down on it. I must inherently apply more pressure because I noticed it had more resistance then the stock glass screen. I noticed it on everything from general swiping as well as pinch to zoom.

A guy at Best Buy had the privacy shield on his Note (where it's black from the side), and this had somewhat of a matte instead of shiny finish on it, and I didn't notice as much resistance on this one then I typically do on the standard Invisishield. Ideally I'm looking for something that feels as close to glass as possible, very slippery to the touch. At least based on the test with the dude jacking his screen with a knife and keys, the only thing you really have to worry about scratching it is rock/sand in your pockets. Metal won't do it.

 

[EarlyMon]

Then check out the Spigen mentioned by KupKrazy in the second post - good stuff!

 

[ParishL31]

I've always steered clear of Zagg on touch screens in the past because I didn't like the somewhat sticky / rubbery feel. My finger wouldn't glide across it as smooth as it did on the glass screen. It wasn't huge, but just enough resistance that I didn't like how it felt.

Are there any different Zagg models that don't have his type of rubbery finish? I always liked the plastic screen protectors that applied by static cling (no adhesive). They feel almost just like the stock glass on the phone.

I've used the Standard ones on my past phones since that's all they offered on my old devices. I definitely knew the little stick you mention.

The Extreme barely has it. It's much smoother, but if you're really trying to notice you can still feel the stickiness a little bit. The orange peel that Zagg has been infamous for is very reduced on the Extreme. You can barely see it, and that's only when you're actively looking for it. Can't speak for the HD though, I haven't seen or touched one personally.

 

[JSchu22]

Another + for the Spigen. Make sure it's the r model slim.

 

[charlie310]

I've tried several liquid applied protectors (like Zagg) and hated the rubbery grip feel & the orange peel effect. I've also tried the expensive Steinheils (I guess they changed their name to Spigen), and I had to replace them because the edges wouldn't stick (or they'd unstick after a month or two). Then, I went to the much cheaper Realook protectors, and those were the best ones I've tried (feels great, looks great, covers the ENTIRE screen, and stays on unlike the Steinheil). FYI, Realook also makes liquid applied screen protectors that are garbage, so stay away from those.

Question, is the Glas.t slim thinner than the Glas.tR slim? I'm thinking about buying one of those, even though they cost more than 5x the price of a Realook.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Ghost Armor. They have a kiosk in International Plaza at Bay Street 1, 2223 N Westshore Blvd in Tampa. If you want to check them out in person or have it applied by their techs.

 

[josborne6]

I used the one that they sell at the AT&T store on my S4. Looks good but isn't the smoothest. I put the Tech Armor crystal clear one on my wife's S3 and it is really smooth. Like nothing is there and good fit. When mine goes bad i'll get the Tech Armor for mine. Price is right too at $5.95 for a pack of three on Amazon. I agree with everyone that the Gorilla Glass is the nicest feel, but I have scratched it before on an S3 and an EVO so I am just being overly cautious.

 

[KupKrazy]

Question, is the Glas.t slim thinner than the Glas.tR slim? I'm thinking about buying one of those, even though they cost more than 5x the price of a Realook.

Yes. The Glas.t is .23mm and the Glas.tR is .4mm. It's almost double the thickness but it's still quite thin.

The Glas.tR has rounded edges which are supposed to be chip resistant on the edges. I went with the Glas.t since I had a Otterbox Commuter case that protected the edges to begin with but if all you're using is the screen protector the and no other case then I think the Glas.tR is the better choice. They also come with a thin film for the back cover as well to prevent scratches.

It really feels like there is no screen protector there. I highly recommend it and yes it costs more but nothing I have every tried felt like glass. I do recommend taking the time to install in a steamy bathroom or something to avoid dust particles.

 

[speedlever]

I've tried the steamy bathroom trick to no avail. I still get frustrated and get dust/lint particles under the SP.

The only thing that works for me is to use Scotch tape when I install those cling type SPs. And that works great! Any dust particles that sneak under while I'm working are quickly removed with one piece of tape to lift a corner and another piece of tape to snag the errant debris from the screen or back of the SP.

 

[Android26]

How in the world would a thin transparent film protect your screen from shattering when you drop it?

Screen protectors are there to protect the naked glass from scratching up against keys, fingernails, etc.

Gorilla Glass 3 does not need scratch protection.

 

[trparky]

Gorilla Glass 3 does not need scratch protection.

I'm hoping that that's the case. I've seen videos on YouTube in which people have taken the Galaxy S4 and did some seriously nasty stuff to the screen. I'm talking about using keys, knives, and other various sharp objects and then proceeding to do some seriously nasty stuff that left me wincing. No scratches what so ever.

 

[EarlyMon]

Gorilla Glass 3 does not need scratch protection.

In your opinion, for users like yourself.

When two substances rub together, the harder one ablates the softer one.

Keys and coins and steak knives are typically softer than hardened glass.

Quartz sand, something I encounter daily, is very hard.

Corning does not say that GG3 won't scratch - they say that scratches are "less visible" with it.

http://www.corninggorillaglass.com/sites/all/files/Gorilla%20Glass%203_2320_PI%20Sheet%20RevE_050613.pdf

"Scratches are less visible" - Corning's words, not mine - sounds pretty subjective to me.

Maybe less visible than with GG2 or soda glass (why they bother to compare to that escapes me but oh well) - but is it less visible to the point that I'd find it acceptable??

The key-scratch tests, steak knife tests, and the rubbing with a piece of concrete test really don't impress me. Might as well compare to cotton. You can look up the chemical properties and predict the winner.

Show me the results of GG3 with quartz sand used against the glass, then I'll be convinced.

PS - from the comment below -

It's not going to scratch with casual and normal contact...

Casual and normal contact for many of us involves hard sand - something that those of living in the Southwest or living near the Great Lakes find more commonly than others.

Your mileage may vary, normal contact for one person is not normal contact for everyone.

 

[KupKrazy]

Gorilla Glass 3 does not need scratch protection.

Well, I agree that it doesn't NEED it, but I don't think people should think that Gorilla Glass 3 is scratch proof. It is not. It is scratch resistant. It's not going to scratch with casual and normal contact, but some people like to have the piece of mind of not having to figure out what is too much.

 

[sincarafan]

I agree with the gorilla glass. Its not made of diamonds its glass so it can get scratched and can break. Nothing wrong with extra protection.