new Ipad retina display & screen protector?

Just google reviews for anti-glare screen protectors for iPhone 4/4s to get a general idea on how the protectors affect screen clarity on retina displays. I think the general consensus is that there definitely will be a trade off in clarity, which is more pronounced with the retina display, though it varies slightly depending on the film used.

I think some people will answer that there is not, but I believe screen protectors cut down on the screen clarity. In my experience anti-glare protectors have been especially bad for clarity. I've used Power Support, Invisible shield, and several other brands. Over the last year or so I've stopped using them altogether. The screens are harder to scratch then you would think and you can't beat the feeling and look of just the glass!

my dad has an antiglare screen cover for his iPhone 4 and it does cut down on the clarity. Both he and I are in the eye glasses business and antireflection (AR) coating for glasses are very different for screen covers and picture frames. While AR for glasses make the lens clearer, AR for picture frames and screen covers actually make the object a little darker. Compared between his AR cover and my regular cover, mine is brighter on the same brightness setting.

I understand anti-glare protectors obstructing clarity, but what about the standard non-anti-glare screen protectors like Zaag Invisible Shield? Do those have any effect on the clarity of the retina screen (I suppose this is more towards iPhone 4 users as none of us have really seen the iPad screen in person yet).

cashel said:

I understand anti-glare protectors obstructing clarity, but what about the standard non-anti-glare screen protectors like Zaag Invisible Shield? Do those have any effect on the clarity of the retina screen (I suppose this is more towards iPhone 4 users as none of us have really seen the iPad screen in person yet).

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"Crystal clear" skins have no impact on the clarity of the screen. They look like crystal, just like the one the iPhone/iPad has in front of the actual panel. I have one of these myself on my iPhone 4S (power support), you can barely see it and there is no difference whatsoever with or without it.

This is not true for the anti-glare ones, because of the texture they have.

I had an anti-glare once on my iPhone 3GS. When I got the iPhone 4S I just couldn't obstruct that gorgeous screen. But I agree to do a google search.

mariotr87 said:

"Crystal clear" skins have no impact on the clarity of the screen. They look like crystal, just like the one the iPhone/iPad has in front of the actual panel. I have one of these myself on my iPhone 4S (power support), you can barely see it and there is no difference whatsoever with or without it.

This is not true for the anti-glare ones, because of the texture they have.

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I agree, have always used crystal protectors on all my gadgets.

Yes, the OEM glass is very scratch resistant but on those rare occasions you have a newbie look at it and start jamming their fingers all over the screen with their jacket sleeve that may have a button on it you'll feel a whole lot better.