Glass Screen Protectors. Are they worth it?

[88keys]

Biggest complaint about ordinary screen protectors is that while they seem to do well at sparing the screen from getting scratched, they seem to very easily get scratched themselves.

Another thing that I'm curious about is whether they offer any extra protection to the phone's screen from breakage. I know other than having a decent case that covers the perimeter of the phone, that there isn't much else that you can do to protect your screen.

 

[bearxor]

Yes, definitely. They feel great and offer a "shock layer" of protection. It will also raise the glass up to the level of the sides of a lot of cases so that there's no drop off between the case and the screen. Yes, the glass screen protector will get scratched, but, that's kind of what it's there for, right?

The BodyGuardz Pure is the first screen protector I've been happy with.

 

[BladeVenom]

Wait til they come out with sapphire glass for smartphones.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I never used one and I never had any scratches except for the one time I went to the beach... damn sand.

 

[lopri]

I plan to do away with screen protectors altogether starting from my next touch device. I learned how much I missed out after playing with my parents' S4 which have no protector applied. The Gorilla glass 3 is just unbelievably smooth and smudge resistant. I would hate to put anything on it to ruin its smoothness. Scratches will be inevitable in the long run, but I will find a way to deal with it (e.g. insurance).

Having said that, I have no experience with glass protectors. I only have used plastics.

 

[bonkers325]

I recently took off the screen protector from my Galaxy Nexus. The screen looks and feels better without one. No scratches yet and the screen is clean.

 

[bearxor]

I plan to do away with screen protectors altogether starting from my next touch device. I learned how much I missed out after playing with my parents' S4 which have no protector applied. The Gorilla glass 3 is just unbelievably smooth and smudge resistant. I would hate to put anything on it to ruin its smoothness. Scratches will be inevitable in the long run, but I will find a way to deal with it (e.g. insurance).

Having said that, I have no experience with glass protectors. I only have used plastics.

They're pricy, but try one. It really does feel exactly like the glass, except you have the added knowledge that your real glass is still underneath.

 

[lopri]

Can you link to such a product? I would take a closer look.

The thing is, I could even feel the difference between Gorilla glass 3 (S4) and Gorilla glass 2 (N4). I thought N4's GG2 was nice, but GG3 was on another level. That's one of the reasons why I did not get screen protectors for my parents' S4. (but both their phones are insured) Oh, and they've got those stupid "S-view" covers which kind of protect the screens while not in use.

 

[Yuriman]

I recently got my first scratch on my S2 after keeping it in my pocket bare for almost 2 years. It upset me enough that I considered briefly getting a protector, but I can't stand how most of them feel.

I think I would be interested in a glass protector.

 

[trmiv]

lopri Spigen has some glass screen protectors here: http://www.spigen.com/cell-phone/samsung/galaxy-s4-cases.html

I use a Spigen plastic screen protector, and I've been tempted to try a glass one. The price does put me off. Also it seems like they would be a massive pain in the ass to put on. I usually screw up at least one plastic one and end up swearing like a sailor when putting them on. I'd hate to do that with a $30 screen protector.

 

[gorcorps]

No

Got one when I got my GS4 Active and it cracked in no time. It was expensive too. It's tempered glass but it's not gorilla glass, so the strength isn't there. It's also a lot easier to scratch than the screen itself, so there's not much point in using one. You're basically taking everything they've done to advance the glass in these phones and throwing it out the window.

 

[bearxor]

Can you link to such a product? I would take a closer look.

I use BodyGuardz.
http://www.bodyguardz.com/screenguardz-pure-glass-protector-film-guard-shield

I picked BodyGuardz because of the replacement option. If it gets too scratched or I simply want to change it, the replacement is $13 and you send the old one back and you're then eligible for another replacement. You can change it out once every six months if you wanted.

The main complaint with the BodyGuardz is the button. Since a glass screen protector is thicker than the typical plastic ones, a button is included raise up to the level of the glass. I presume the SGS4 and SGS4 Active would provide similar buttons. Soigné makes better buttons, but I'm not sure of the replacement policy.

Also it seems like they would be a massive pain in the ass to put on. I usually screw up at least one plastic one and end up swearing like a sailor when putting them on. I'd hate to do that with a $30 screen protector.

These are, in fact, easier to put on. Because they don't fold or bend, it makes it very easy to align and press the protector down. The only advice I would have is to put the button on first (if applicable), then put the screen protector on.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I like mine. It does protect the glass some, and feels much smoother than plastic to the finger. Worth getting a cheap one at least.

 

[Cobalt]

Have the BodyGuardz Pure on my S4 standard model. Love it and thought it was worth it. Dropped my phone on the concrete without my case on, only got some minor knicks on the edges of the phone as the screen took the most impact. The protector shattered but my screen was unscathed and it surely would of broken without it. Also love how it feels just like the regular display with the same oleophobic coating so it's still easy to clean but finger just glides across easily.

 

[Cobalt]

lopri Spigen has some glass screen protectors here: http://www.spigen.com/cell-phone/samsung/galaxy-s4-cases.html

I use a Spigen plastic screen protector, and I've been tempted to try a glass one. The price does put me off. Also it seems like they would be a massive pain in the ass to put on. I usually screw up at least one plastic one and end up swearing like a sailor when putting them on. I'd hate to do that with a $30 screen protector.

The glass ones are actually a lot easier. I've literally put on thousands (yes, no exaggerations) of screen protectors on phones my years working retail sales for mobile and the glass ones were the easiest. Only experience is with the BodyGuardz version though, but they include a suction cup that you use to apply and it makes it way too easy. Just gotta be careful and make sure its super clean to get it on the first try because trying to remove and replace is harder.

 

[Hunt3rj2]

They're great. Ask me anything about the one I use right now.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Glass screen protectors are easy to put on (you don't have to worry about bubbles), but you only get one shot.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I got one for my Galaxy Nexus and ended up removing it after a week. It greatly decreased the sensitivity of the home/back/multitasking buttons. The other issues were all minor - it made the phone feel thicker, and the screen didn't look or feel quite as nice, but those were not a big deal. The sensitivity thing was too annoying though. Maybe not all models suffer from this, but I decided to just live without it.

Same thing has happened to me for every single case I've used. I use it for a week or two, then give up and go naked.

 

[jiffylube1024]

I'm a big fan of wet-application screen protectors, like from BestSkinsEver:
http://www.bestskinsever.com/

If you've ever used them in the past, their 2012 and newer formulation is clearer/much less noticeable than older ones, and they are much more durable than dry-application ones.

 

[bearxor]

I'm a big fan of wet-application screen protectors, like from BestSkinsEver:
http://www.bestskinsever.com/

If you've ever used them in the past, their 2012 and newer formulation is clearer/much less noticeable than older ones, and they are much more durable than dry-application ones.

That's the type I used to get. I will never buy another one if a glass screen protector exists for the device I'm using.

 

[trmiv]

I can't stand those rubbery screen protectors like BSE and Zagg. I've been primarily using the Spigen plastic ones on my last few phones, but I'm tempted to go glass now. This iloome isn't a bad price for the S4

http://www.iloome.com/Galaxy-Protector-ScreenMate-Premium-Tempered/dp/B00BX0SBG6/

I've also heard good things about mime http://mimeusa.com/product/galaxy-s4-ghost-glass-tempered-glass-screen-protector/

They have a thinner one too, but it's out of stock.

 

[gorcorps]

I'm a big fan of wet-application screen protectors, like from BestSkinsEver:
http://www.bestskinsever.com/

If you've ever used them in the past, their 2012 and newer formulation is clearer/much less noticeable than older ones, and they are much more durable than dry-application ones.

I used to use those until touch devices became the norm. It may be different now but the rubbery texture was a nightmare for swiping and such... just too sticky.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Hm.. I think I'll look into one of these glass protectors, actually. They look interesting!

I recently took off the screen protector from my Galaxy Nexus. The screen looks and feels better without one. No scratches yet and the screen is clean.

It does feel better. But, do you know why there's no scratches? Because it spent most of its life under a protector!!! It's unfortunate, but none of the "scratch resistant" screens are really scratch resistant. My new Nexus 7 picked up a tiny scratch in its first 48 hours of use because of a single grain of sand that somehow got onto my table. My Galaxy S3, which has been dropped multiple times (and I recently stopped using a case) has a flawless screen because of the protector.