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Best screen protector?

K

KingGheedora

Diamond Member
I'm looking for a screen protector for a Galaxy Nexus.

What is the best type of screen protector? I don't want any orange peel type. I want something that will have the least amount of interference with the look and feel of the phone's screen.
 
I usually use Zagg invisible shields - they are expensive and they do change the look of the screen slightly, but they don't scratch and they are somewhat fingerprint resistant and they tend to stay on forever and dust during installation isn't as big a concern.

Alternatively, I've used Powershield Crystal screen protectors. The glossy one doesn't change the look of the screen, but they are expensive, and since they rely on electrostatic charge for adhension they are a pain to get on without any dust at all - dust is literally attracted to them, so getting one on looking flawless requires a very low level dust environment and a bit of luck. You can also scratch Powershield Crystals... and they sort of wear out over time on the corners.

So I usually go with Zagg's.

And lest anyone say - and someone surely will - that phones don't really need screen protectors, my reply is that I sell a phone on Ebay at least once or twice a year and I usually get top dollar for them because when I take all of the protectors off, they look pristine. If you want a phone to look perfect, then you really want a screen protector. If not to keep the glass perfect, then to keep the bezel and everything else looking good.
 
I tend to stick with the static cling type protectors because they're smooth like glass with no orange peel. They're also reusable and washable.

Usually wet applicator protectors like the Zagg have orange peel. There are some wet protectors that don't have the orange peel effect though.
 
Make sure it's the correct Galaxy Nexus, King. That one looks like the Nexus S.

And, yeah, MrX, I agree. There's some orange peel to the typical Zagg install. A little, but not much. It settles out after a while. It's definitely not as smooth as a static cling type protector though, but I have too many problems getting those static ones to look perfect - and I'm a bit weird about screen protectors looking perfect - and they get scratches. Zagg's are my preferred protector nowadays even with the slightly orange peel to them.
 
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I don't use any. I've had a thunderbolt since it was released and not especially careful. It's still completely scratch free.
 
Zaggs are notorious for having a very bad orange peel effect and being a very sticky, non-glide surface. I'd say that the SGP Ultra Crystal series is the best screen protector there is, but it's not out yet for the Galaxy Nexus; instead, you could try the SGP Flex or wait for other companies like Martin Fields to release their screen protectors.
 
The static clings do indeed get scratches. Some brands are more resistant than others. I just end up buying another static cling. For 2 years of use I may use 2-3 static clings.
 
I would recommend Ghost Armor. I haven't used Zagg's but I have used Ghost Armor and am very happy with it. I googled Zagg vs Ghost Armor and those who used both preferred GA.
 
what phone are you coming from. From having a captivate and now a SGS2, I can tell you that these phones DO NOT SCRATCH, and the actual glass can take more abuse than any part of the case.

I've heard the Gnex isnt actually gorilla glass, but its very similar, so if it were me, I cant see wearing a glove on that thing. Everyone knows it feels better without protection.

pm said:
And lest anyone say - and someone surely will - that phones don't really need screen protectors, my reply is that I sell a phone on Ebay at least once or twice a year and I usually get top dollar for them because when I take all of the protectors off, they look pristine. If you want a phone to look perfect, then you really want a screen protector. If not to keep the glass perfect, then to keep the bezel and everything else looking good.
Click to expand...

i can say with 100% certainty, that my phone would look exactly the same with the screen protector on. A case protects everything else.

The glass is so good i wish they made the whole phone out of it.
 
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Nvidiaguy07 said:
i can say with 100% certainty, that my phone would look exactly the same with the screen protector on. A case protects everything else.

The glass is so good i wish they made the whole phone out of it.
Click to expand...

You might be right... if that's true, then it's hard to know that when you buy it and I'd rather pay a bit just in case.
 
pm said:
You might be right... if that's true, then it's hard to know that when you buy it and I'd rather pay a bit just in case.
Click to expand...

gorilla glass and other are good enough where i can trust that they wont scratch. There's nothing I hate more than seeing my friends screens covered up with horrible screen protectors. Completely ruins the phone IMO. As beautiful as my SAMOLED screen is, a lesser display without a screen cover looks better than that with a cover.

I also feel the same way about huge ballistic cases. Why buy a slim sleek phone if your going to have a huge case. It takes away from what the phone is intended to be.
 
I have tried the Zagg protectors before and I always end up ripping them off because I hate the feel/look of them. Dust would always start building up along the edge of the film.

In general though I dont' use any screen protection. I haven't been able to find one that I can easily apply without dust or it just looking/feeling bad. Nothing is as nice as the original glass.

I'm curious to know if anyone here has tried Wrapsol screen protectors though? Someone on XDA recommended them.

I never really get any scratches on my screen. Whenever a new phone comes out there are always posts of "OMG I GOT A SCRATCH" and they always say they had it in a pocket with nothing else in it.
 
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Nvidiaguy07 said:
what phone are you coming from. From having a captivate and now a SGS2, I can tell you that these phones DO NOT SCRATCH, and the actual glass can take more abuse than any part of the case.

I've heard the Gnex isnt actually gorilla glass, but its very similar, so if it were me, I cant see wearing a glove on that thing. Everyone knows it feels better without protection.



i can say with 100% certainty, that my phone would look exactly the same with the screen protector on. A case protects everything else.

The glass is so good i wish they made the whole phone out of it.
Click to expand...

Coming from Captivate and I didn't use a protector or case on that one. THe screen is still pretty pristine, but I think if I put it next to a brand new one i might be able to notice a difference with close inspection.

I just know these SAMOLED screens are slightly different and there have been a couple of people on xda forums who claim they have scratches. I dunno, it could just be schills from the screen protector companies trying to make gnex owners want to buy protectors. I'd rather use without a protector as I'm generally against them.
 
I swear by the bestskinsever screen protectors. They are awesome and don't affect display quality at all.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
 
Zagg for me. Orange peel is invisible with the screen on. And it feels plenty slick IMO.

Grabbed one at best buy for my nexus for 20 bucks, didn't feel like waiting.
 
Nvidiaguy07 said:
gorilla glass and other are good enough where i can trust that they wont scratch. There's nothing I hate more than seeing my friends screens covered up with horrible screen protectors. Completely ruins the phone IMO. As beautiful as my SAMOLED screen is, a lesser display without a screen cover looks better than that with a cover.

I also feel the same way about huge ballistic cases. Why buy a slim sleek phone if your going to have a huge case. It takes away from what the phone is intended to be.
Click to expand...

We are going to have to disagree. I'm not taking a chance with a ~$500 device. Gorilla glass might be better than regular glass, but my experience with standard tempered glass is that if you put it in a bag with a bunch of sand from a florida beach and shake it for a while, and while you won't have real scratches, it won't look as good as it did before you put it in. I'm not taking a chance...

My wife doesn't use a case or any kind of screen protector and she throws her phone in her purse and I can tell you that they look trashed in a matter of months. By the end of a year, they look like someone hauled them through a mission in Iraq. The screens are scratched, the black plate is worn, the metal bezel is covered in scratches and sometimes even the carrier logo is half worn away.

You can think that I'm crazy or wasting money, but I'll keep buying screen protectors and using cases, and some day when my wife pulls a phone out of her purse after ~6 moths of jangling around in there and she shows it to me and looks brand new, then I'll rethink my strategy. 🙂 As far as the screen protector affecting the image quality, I'm a bit obsessive about these things and I can tell you that if you saw my phone, you'd have a hard time knowing that I have a screen protector on it.
 
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This screen protector / case seems to be an ongoing debate anywhere phones are discussed. It's a matter of personal opinion. I want a screen protector because for an expensive device I want the screen to stay pristine and it doesn't take away from the aesthetics enough for it to bother me.

I'm not a fan of cases because they make the phone bulky and they hide very sleekness of the device you are trying to preserve. I am careful with my phones, only keep them in my pocket with nothing else. There is a risk of minor damage and scratches if you drop it without a case though. But more than 3 feet, even with a case you are in danger of cracking the screen.
 
KingGheedora said:
This screen protector / case seems to be an ongoing debate anywhere phones are discussed. It's a matter of personal opinion.
Click to expand...

Good point. Although, we haven't had this discussion here at AT in a long while that I've seen. But yeah, it's an ongoing debate, neither side is likely to convince the other they are right, and it's a matter of opinion. I agree.
 
One other reason i didn't mention is that i don't like the feel of the screen with a screen protector on.

I Swype and after using my friends Droid x with a protector on it, it was a big difference. Granted it night have just been a crappy one, but i don't see how any protector can feel as smooth as glass.

Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
 
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