How infuriating is scratching your phone screen? It can really ruin the aesthetic of your brand new iPhone and all it takes is a temporary moment of clumsiness.
While there are a number of home remedies that promise to fix the damage, many of them aren't all they're cracked up to be. Some may even make your screen look worse than before.
To keep your phone looking new and avoid a costly screen replacement, you'll need to invest in a screen protector. The good news is that these protectors are relatively inexpensive and provide a great deal of protection.
Read on to learn what to look for when you shop for the best iPhone screen protector.
Do I Need An iPhone Screen Protector?
Do you think you can get away with not using a screen protector on your new iPhone? Screen technology has come a long way in a few short years, and today's screens are more robust than ever.
Corning's Gorilla Glass is the preferred phone screen material. This modern glass claims to be both scratch-resistant and crack-resistant.
However, even though today's iPhones come with high-tech glass, they seem to scratch just as easily as they ever have.
This is due to the nature of glass in general. It really can't be both scratch-resistant and crack-resistant at the same time. If a piece of glass is flexible enough to survive a drop, it won't be hard enough to resist minor scratching.
So, the folks at Corning needed to prioritize one factor when making the glass for phone screens. After taking customer feedback into account, they decided that crack resistance was more important. After all, a scratched screen can still work, but a shattered screen is basically unusable.
While this is great news for those prone to dropping their phones, you'll still notice unsightly blemishes on your iPhone. Simply taking it out of a bag or your pocket can scratch even the best phone screen glass on the market.
The truth is, you'll still need to use a screen protector if you want to keep your iPhone in pristine condition.
Pick The Right Material
Shopping for an iPhone screen protector can be overwhelming. There are so many options to choose from and each of them is made of different materials.
Polyethelene Terephthalate (PET)
These kinds of screen protectors are usually the least expensive option. They offer a moderate amount of scratch protection but almost no impact protection due to being only 0.1 mm thick.
However, the thin nature of PET screen protectors makes them some of the best-feeling and most responsive screen protectors. They won't obscure your touch inputs and are hardly noticeable once they're applied to your screen.
They're also very easy to apply. One side is coated with scratch-resistant silicone and the other side is covered in adhesive. You simply attach it to your screen like a sticker.
One downside of a PET screen protector is that it can get discolored from the oil on your hands. Fortunately, they usually come in packs of three and it's easy to swap them out.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
TPU makes for a reliable iPhone screen protector. They get a bad rap for the orangish sheen they add to a phone screen, but they have a few advantages over a PET protector.
The first is that TPU offers more impact resistance than PET. If something bumps into your screen while it's in your bag, your screen protector can take the hit.
TPU is also quite flexible. It won't be damaged by minor knocks and bumps. If something brushes against your iPhone's screen, the TPU protector will absorb the impact and slowly return to its original shape.
Tempered Glass
The best screen protectors are made of tempered glass. This material is strong enough to provide considerable scratch resistance and a bit of impact protection. Best of all, they feel just like your phone screen and offer unmatched clarity.
These kinds of screen protectors are usually multi-layered. On the bottom, you'll find a silicone layer that provides a good amount of shock absorption. Next is a layer of PET and a clear adhesive to bond with the layer of tempered glass. Finally, an oil-proof coating is applied to the tempered glass.
In the end, you have a relatively thin screen protector that can handle all the bumps and scrapes of everyday life. These are typically the most expensive kind of screen protector, but their resilience makes them worth the price.
Get The Coverage You Need
Screen protectors can either go edge-to-edge or provide flat coverage. Edge-to-edge means that the entirety of your phone screen is protected and flat coverage only protects your screen's touch-sensitive area.
Edge-to-edge screen protectors are usually the best option since you'll probably want to cover the entire surface of the phone screen. You can even get a tempered glass protector with edge-to-edge coverage.
You'll have to buy an edge-to-edge screen protector designed for your iPhone's model and some phone cases struggle to accommodate them.
However, flat coverage protectors shouldn't be totally forgotten. Some of them are stronger than their edge-to-edge counterparts and they'll fit most iPhone models.
Other Benefits Of An iPhone Screen Protector
Screen protectors can do more than just protect your phone's screen. Some offer surprising benefits.
That oil-proof coating on a tempered glass protector is for more than just smudges. It'll also help keep your screen free of dust that could aggravate allergies.
Screen protectors can also be antibacterial and help slow the accumulation of bacteria on your phone screen.
Finally, some screen protectors are treated with certain coatings that can help reduce eye strain. These tints bend the light from the screen so it's easier on your eyes.
Get The Best iPhone Screen Protector From i-Blason
Even though phone screen technology continues to improve, you'll still want to protect your iPhone with a screen protector.
Tempered glass is the best iPhone screen protector material, but TPU and PET also have their place.
Ready to pick up one of your own? Head to i-Blason's website and browse their catalog of screen protectors.
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