Anyone use GLASS vs. film as screen protector?

[lothar]

I wish people would stop making this argument. The screen protector and screen glass are not the same material... Your phone glass would NOT have broken under the same conditions as the screen protector.

I love how they automatically assume that Gorilla Glass on a screen would have broken under the same conditions as a glass screen protector.

And I thought people here were supposed to be tech geeks.
Apparently they don't know that Gorilla Glass has different physical specifications and properties.
Glass is glass to them.

 

[Eug]

I generally buy $1 eBay screen protectors made of plastic. I do not buy the so-called higher end and oleophobic ones because they are either thicker or have a layer to wear off or discolour. The cheapest ones are actually the best.

I don't use glass. I've checked some out and they're very thick and seem quite fragile. Plus they're expensive.

BTW, I just gave my iPhone 4 to mother-in-law, after using it for two years and then giving it to my wife to use for a year (where she would just throw it into her purse along with her keys and stuff).

I took off the old screen protector and the screen surface underneath was absolutely perfect. Looked brand spankin' new. I put on another $1 screen protector, so she's good to go for another couple of years.

 

[ControlD]

The only protectors I use are the plastic type that only attach at the bezels. The rest of the screen protector floats just a bit above the glass. With that type there is no possibility of getting those annoying bubbles from specs of dust, etc. Trying to put those adhesive types of protectors on is one of the must frustrating things I can imagine. I haven't tried the glass ones but I suppose those don't have the air bubble problems either.

 

[kevinsbane]

Glass screen protectors are awesome.

Plastic screen protectors suck.

Glass ones provide some scratch protection in exchange for being expensive. It feels exactly the same as a bare screen. It's glorious.

Plastic screen protectors provide scratch protection in exchange for feeling like you're rubbing your fingers over a piece of splintery wood, in comparison to the bare phone.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I love how they automatically assume that Gorilla Glass on a screen would have broken under the same conditions as a glass screen protector.

And I thought people here were supposed to be tech geeks.
Apparently they don't know that Gorilla Glass has different physical specifications and properties.
Glass is glass to them.

I never equated the glasses to be the same. I think you're putting up too many strawmen arguments here. Glass screen protectors will likely break when the phone is dropped. Screens also crack when dropped. Will the breaking point be the exact same? No, but given that screens aren't invulnerable to cracks from drops, one can figure that it's likely that a drop on concrete is pretty stressful whether it's a GG screen or a glass screen protector hitting.

Furthermore, if you understand any bit about glass screen protectors, you know that they're not the same as your standard soda lime glass from a window. They may not be Gorilla Glass, but it doesn't mean they're not the same type of glass. These glass protectors are chemically treated--likely through some ion exchange process similar to Gorilla Glass. That's how they can achieve similar levels of hardness for these screen protectors. Otherwise they'd be scratching left and right.

I wish people would stop making this argument. The screen protector and screen glass are not the same material... Your phone glass would NOT have broken under the same conditions as the screen protector.

While you might be somewhat correct, is the difference between dropping a screen versus a glass screen protector the difference between dropping a nalgene bottle and a wine glass? There may be differences, but you're making it sound like there's a night and day difference like in my example of plastic vs glass hitting the ground.

Look, my point isn't to tell you that you NEED to buy a glass screen protector. It's dependent on who you are. My stance is that there is a point, and whether or not that's worth $30 to you is up to you. My opinion is also that plastic screen protectors suck also, and while I'd rather pay up to get glass, you're better off going naked than plastic.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I wish people would stop making this argument. The screen protector and screen glass are not the same material... Your phone glass would NOT have broken under the same conditions as the screen protector.

Agreed. The glass screen protector will shatter (or chip) much more easily than the phone screen.

But there have been at least two drops I can think of where it would have shattered either. The worst one I dropped my phone 4 feet onto the metal edge of my toolbox, screen first. I don't know any glass that could survive that angle or material, and the screen protector didn't it shattered like crazy. But it took all the impact in that shatter and my phone was fine.

So for that one drop, it was worth everything I have paid for glass screen protectors because the replacement screen for a S4 (unless you do it the hard way) is very pricy. As I said I had another drop nearly that bad and I know I will probably have one worse while I have the device.

I am a clumsy person though, so maybe this doesn't matter for anyone. If phones were children, mine would be taken to foster care I guess.

Look, my point isn't to tell you that you NEED to buy a glass screen protector. It's dependent on who you are. My stance is that there is a point, and whether or not that's worth $30 to you is up to you. My opinion is also that plastic screen protectors suck also, and while I'd rather pay up to get glass, you're better off going naked than plastic.

If they were all $30 I would have quit. But I get my S4 ones for less than $13 and my iPhone 5 ones for less than $9. At that rate someone could go into Best Buy and play twice as much for a plastic screen protector.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Agreed. The glass screen protector will shatter (or chip) much more easily than the phone screen.

I think there's several factors. There's the fact that a screen protector is mounted on top of the screen. It's not sitting flush against the body of the phone, so it's going to get more exposure. The edges are exposed and therefore are prone to chipping. It's also unclear how thick the screen is compared to the screen protector, which can influence durability as well.

Agreed. The glass screen protector will shatter (or chip) much more easily than the phone screen.
If they were all $30 I would have quit. But I get my S4 ones for less than $13 and my iPhone 5 ones for less than $9. At that rate someone could go into Best Buy and play twice as much for a plastic screen protector.

Sorry I was just using $30 as a price point based on the pricey Spigen ones as they were the ones who started making glass protectors popular for phones. But you're right, there's a few brands out there for under $20 easily, and even less on eBay. The Spigen ones are ridiculously thin though at 0.13mm. I don't think you can find anything that thin anywhere else.

 

[poofyhairguy]

That is pretty thin. The ones I get are around 0.3mm.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

That is pretty thin. The ones I get are around 0.3mm.

Sounds about right. My Cruzerlite is 0.25mm. But that's why I suppose people pay $34.99 for Spigen. Heh. My broken one is Spigen and it is definitely noticeably thinner when you put them side by side. However with a TPU case and a lip, I can't tell the difference at all.

I do find the oleophobic coating on my Spigen to be better overall though.

 

[GoodEnough]

Glass cracked after I picked up the phone while still plugged into the wall, and flung it into the ground. Ordering another $8 glass. Wait, price is now down to $5 !

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380831920740

 

[jhansman]

I use a glass protector on my dSLR's LCD and control panel screens. Dropped it the other day and the LCD protector shattered, but once I got it off, the LCD was unscratched. Bought another set on Amazon for $12 and had it back on in 10 min. Had I not gone with this protector, my camera would probably be on it's way to the manufacturer for a costly repair. Money well spent!

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I use a glass protector on my dSLR's LCD and control panel screens. Dropped it the other day and the LCD protector shattered, but once I got it off, the LCD was unscratched. Bought another set on Amazon for $12 and had it back on in 10 min. Had I not gone with this protector, my camera would probably be on it's way to the manufacturer for a costly repair. Money well spent!

DSLRs are covered by a plastic cover no? The cover itself is like $15 or so, and those glass protectors I got before were like $30 (Schott Glass?). To me its not worth it.

Phones on the other hand, you can't really replace the front glass without shelling out hundreds, so a $15 screen protector is nice to have.

 

[Chocu1a]

Just put a glass protector on my Note 3 the other day. Completely blows away a plastic film protector. I am a total convert. It is like using nothing at all. Touch sensitivity is perfect. S-pen usage has no issues, too.
Absolutely love mine.

 

[Shamrock]

People are having problems with glass protectors and Galaxy Note 4. The edge of the screen is beveled, and is causing a "halo" effect.

So far only 2 brands alleviate the halo. Spigen Glass'r, and iLoome

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

People are having problems with glass protectors and Galaxy Note 4. The edge of the screen is beveled, and is causing a "halo" effect.

So far only 2 brands alleviate the halo. Spigen Glass'r, and iLoome

Halo effect? There are other phones with curved screens like the iPhone 6 and there's plenty of glass protectors out there.

 

[kyrax12]

That's why I go for matte screen protectors. They are so smooth and the techarmor ones are anti-fingerprint. Did they put some sort of oleophobic coating on it?

 

[lopri]

I use my phone with no protection! I've given a thought and experimented for a while and concluded that it made no sense that manufacturers go great length to produce resilient phones with smooth screens and I was trying to cancel them out by applying "protections."

That I personally have not found a screen protector that feels as good and fingerprint-resistant as Gorilla Glass 3 is another reason. For body of a phone only protection I consider is skin-type material.

 

[Shamrock]

Halo effect? There are other phones with curved screens like the iPhone 6 and there's plenty of glass protectors out there.

Yes. Read these forums' posts, and view the pics. It's caused by the very edge of the screen having a slight bevel. When the screen is on, it gives a slight haze or halo around the edge of the glass.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...glass-screen-protectors-have-halo-effect.html

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56364660&postcount=577

 

[bononos]

I use my phone with no protection! I've given a thought and experimented for a while and concluded that it made no sense that manufacturers go great length to produce resilient phones with smooth screens and I was trying to cancel them out by applying "protections."

That I personally have not found a screen protector that feels as good and fingerprint-resistant as Gorilla Glass 3 is another reason. For body of a phone only protection I consider is skin-type material.

You're not cancelling out the protection by applying a screen protector, you adding another sacrificial layer of protection. Sand will scratch gorilla glass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNojdER7-Sk

Glass protectors are definitely worth a few extra bucks over plastic but not much more than that.

 

[lxskllr]

I use nothing. I have a case with a snap on cover, and that's kept my phone looking good in very dirty environments. Nothing but my finger touches the screen, and I blow off dirt before touching it.

 

[DeathReborn]

I have always used plastic ones to date but my Note 4 will use a tempered glass 2.5D protector.

 

[npaladin-2000]

I live by the "plastic" (TPU) screen protectors. The screen's already got glass on it, I don't need more glass that's just going to shatter on a drop, or get scratched itself. TPU screen protectors absorb shocks and scratches "heal" unless you literally cut through the plastic (which is difficult to do accidentally). Not to mention they're cheaper, and adhere to screens that aren't flat, so no halo effects as with stiffer glass or film screen protectors.

 

[boomhower]

I've haven't used a screen protector in years, Gorilla Glass has kept scratches at bay. But with he iPhone 6 rumors were rampant with folks complaining theirs were scratching. Theory is Apple couldn't get enough actual Gorilla Glass because they had bet on sapphire that obviously didn't work out so the screens aren't as scratch resistant. I bought a tempered glass screen protector and love it. Image is not changed at all that I can tell. Responsiveness and sensitivity certainly isn't hampered at all. I'm a very happy camper with it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I use my phone with no protection! I've given a thought and experimented for a while and concluded that it made no sense that manufacturers go great length to produce resilient phones with smooth screens and I was trying to cancel them out by applying "protections."

Yeah I tried to run without a screen protector on my M8 because I like its look without one so much but I only lasted a week. I hated how every time I would accidently put it in the same pocket as my keys my heart would jump, or that even after babying it I had plenty of micro scratches within that time.

Fact is, too many things scratch glass- even Gorilla Glass. I don't want to do constant pocket management to make sure at every moment my phone isn't getting boned. I now have a glass screen protector on the device, so wallet, phone and keys can all go in the same pocket if I want.

 

[Radeon962]

I was a Spigen Ultra Crystal user for my last few phones. Since they don't make screen protectors for the OnePlus One I decided to try some Glass.

I picked up the Orzly as well as the Xtremeguard Spartan Glass. They seem identical to me right down to the overall shape, thickness, etc.

Both feel just like the original screen and are clear.

Much better with fingerprints as well. I have had the Spartan Glass on for about a week and no mark on it.

The Orzly is $20 and the Xtemegaurd is $49.99 but they run 85%-90% off coupons with free shipping so I paid $10 for two.

Looks like they bumped the price up to $59.99 but just Google for the coupon code and if a 85% or 90% code is not active wait a few days as it seems like they are always floating them out.

http://www.xtremeguard.com/mobile/Product.aspx?id=1953#.VFUd5UnD_qA