I know these aren't one of the choices but I just got mine in the mail and the SP went on easy and they have a Lifetime warranty. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BT7RAPG/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I googled up "Galaxy S4 Gorilla Glass" (or something like that) and did some reading.

Seems like the glass is already quite scratch resistant and that a screen protector isn't all that necessary. However, should you need to replace it, there is a $7 kit on Amazon, including tools, to replace the glass. Since I paid $29 for the screen protector on my present phone, I think when I get my S4, I'll forego the expense of a screen protector.

The only hangup with the GG3 screen is that it seems like it has a higher propensity to shatter on impact but I don't think a screen protector is going to help much with that.

Just opinion here, of course.

--Wag--

 

My old smartphone (a Droid 2 Global) went about 2.5 years without a screen protector and without a scratch. Ditto for my wife's identical smartphone.

Unless you're particularly tough on phones for some reason, I'd avoid the expense of a screen protector.

 

You might want to consider who you heard that from. When I called Verizon to get a different phone number assigned as my primary number, they tried to sell me a phone protector. And people who have spent money on screen protectors are going to want to convince themselves that they didn't waste their money.

If I'd bought a screen protector 2.5 years ago, I'd probably think they were great too because my screen was unscratched that entire period of time.

 

Yes, that is what both I and Louwags suggested. My wife and I went 2.5 years on our old smartphones without a scratch. I suspect that if we'd used screen protectors we'd have probably had to replace those a couple of times.

But it does depend on your use. If you're going to be putting your phone into your pocket with keys, then a protector might be more useful. If you're not going to be using a case on the phone, the screen might be more exposed and more likely to need protection. But for most people, screen protectors are probably unnecessary.

 

No screen is completely scratch resistant but I hate screen protectors and simply being careful has served me well in my last 5 1/2 years of smartphone ownership. I haven't scratched the screen at all on any of my last three phones and I achieved that by just being careful.

I have yet to see a screen protector that didn't have bubbles or dust under it, look naff and worst of all, feel horrible. The combination of Gorilla Glass and an oleophobic coating makes for a lovely screen on the S4. It's a shame to spoil it by putting a screen protector on it.

Still, some people are clumsy. If you're one of those, then a screen protector may be the safe approach.

 

I have a zagg screen protector (I scratched the screen in the first week). I have a gelaskin for the back.

 

I just order the Glas. t nano and am so excited

 

I've had my phone for about 3 weeks now, and I know this isn't an extended amount of time, but, I constantly keep my phone in my pocket when on the go... Which is pretty much all the time! LoL... Anyhow, I have had a variety of objects in my pocket with my phone from keys to nuts, bolts, and screws(Job related & yes I know, not the smartest idea.) and I don't have a single scratch. The screen is simply awesome in my opinion! Now, I wouldn't recommend doing what I have on purpose but, $#*t happens!

 

That, IMHO, is more the job of a proper case.

 

No doubt the screen is of good quality. But as said above, I'm quite sure, if the phone was to skid across car park concrete floor, having additional layer protecting the glass, would be better than not having one.

Also, someone said about dust and bubbles. I yet to see it. We have been using screen films for over a decade here. Anyone who deal phones, does the installation very well and for free. Even Samsung give screen protectors with every phone at no cost. In fact, it comes with the phone by default. And they stick it before they power up the phone. The box even comes with tiny wipe micro fabric just for that.

I have some really visible scratches on my s3, and no, I don't mix it with keys and coins in my pocket. I will stick to protectors for a while.

Secondly, I use matte screen to reduce reflection and make finger prints hardly visible. Looks far more elegant than with bunch of smear marks.

 

I think it is highly unlikely it would make any difference at all. If you drop your phone onto a concrete floor, it's not scratches you have to worry about but a smashed screen. A screen protector will not provide any protection against a smashed screen.

If you intend to start chucking your phone around then the only way you are going to protect it is with a completely enclosed case like the Otterbox Defender.

 

That's a situation where a case should protect the screen. But I do understand some people don't like cases.

 

Personally, I like and I use cases too.

This will be hard to explain....

Being genuine leather enthusiast, I order my cases from Etsy. But given they are order made, the case has yet to arrive, so I bought temporary one for now.

The case is like an ipad stand, it fold at the back of the phone <here is the part
I can't explain>; when someone call, I open the cover, flip it backward, against the back of the phone. As I hold it by the cover, before I grip the phone, the cover tend to fold and I lose the grip, having the phone slipping out.

Little diagram will demonstrate better. And I know, it's not the cover fault, it's me being lame. But I'm rushing, kids, work, people keep calling, I tend not to focus on this things, and I had my phone almost fly my hand number of time.

So, that's why I use cover and screen protection. Overcompensate for my lameness.
And as you said, some people don't like cases. In fact all my business partners hate them, so are my sport friends. People mount them in designated holders in cars or bikes, slip them into water resistant pouches, and they hate to keep removing it out of a case, mount, and then put it back. I can understand. My case has such a grip on the phone's bezel, it takes a bit of afford to remove it.

Anyway you got the picture ....just wanted to point out, that there are number of scenarios why people would use glass protection. Some of which we never take under consideration.

 

I agree that case would not provide much protection, because when open there is absolutely nothing protecting the glass. The retaining clip which holds the phone in although extending the entire length of both sides, doesn't seem to protrude very far off the screen surface.

I have two folio style cases for my Nexus 7, and they both provide more screen protection than that particular case. I didn't look for folio type cases for my S4, because I didn't see them as working well with a car dock.

 

Not to throw water on your fire but... there have been many posts of those who have taken on the task of replacing the glass, not the digitizer, and all seemed to have mixed results. They would seem to work good for a few days then problems would arise with touch issues, dead spots, etc. It seems the factory glass is bonded to the digitizer with some sort of adhesive that is near impossible to replicate on the home bench.

On the other hand the original screen really is quite durable. Get a decent case that will keep the screen from touching when laid face down and you should be fine.

 

It should, barely. Some have complained that the headphone and USB cutouts aren't exactly right, making it difficult to use those ports.