Does the iPhone 5 come with protective film out of the package?

HoopTrundler · Dec 25, 2012, 12:37 AM

This is a two-part question. The second part is, does this protective film work okay as a temporary screen protector? The basic situation is that I'm getting the iPhone 5 tomorrow but I'm unable to get a screen protector until later, so I was wondering if the protective film would work for a couple days, or if touch responsiveness isn't great through the protective film. And yes, I'm aware that I could just remove the film on day one and then clean the screen before putting on the screen protector, but for the purposes of this scenario I'd rather not do that.

Morshu9001 · 01:23 PM

1. Yes, it does.
2. No, you can't use it as a screen protector (at least not a very good one).

You can buy screen protectors with pocket change from Chinese eBay sellers.

Macman45 · Dec 25, 2012, 12:42 AM

No, just the thick protective covering all phones come with, I wouldn't use it as a screen protector...A day or two won't hurt as long as you are careful . A case is always more important IMO anyway.

Jordan921 · Dec 25, 2012, 12:51 AM

Yes it does come with protective film out of the box. You could leave it on temporarily until you can get your hands on a better screen protector.

bobright · Dec 25, 2012, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morshu9001

1. Yes, it does.
2. No, you can't use it as a screen protector.

You can buy screen protectors with pocket change from Chinese eBay sellers.

Yes you can, as long as you cut the top where the speaker is off and bottom near the home button. I've used them before until my Power Support Crystal came in.

darster · Dec 25, 2012, 12:51 AM

Screen protectors and cases are overkill. Phone will be just fine without them.

hakuna-matata · 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobright

Yes you can, as long as you cut the top where the speaker is off and bottom near the home button. I've used them before until my Power Support Crystal came in.

+1. did the same thing. ordered Zagg screen protector took it 10 days.

Starrbuck · Dec 25, 2012, 09:34 AM

Apple has recommended for a couple of years now that screen protectors aren't needed. I didn't have one on my iPhone 4 and just sold it for the 5 with no scratches at all on the face. Don't waste the money.

LaynieGorilla · Dec 25, 2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starrbuck

Apple has recommended for a couple of years now that screen protectors aren't needed. I didn't have one on my iPhone 4 and just sold it for the 5 with no scratches at all on the face. Don't waste the money.

I scratched mine, so I bought a screen saver a couple of days later.

pnoyblazed · Dec 25, 2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starrbuck

Apple has recommended for a couple of years now that screen protectors aren't needed. I didn't have one on my iPhone 4 and just sold it for the 5 with no scratches at all on the face. Don't waste the money.

my exact reason to not use a screen protector and worked out for me ever since

sviato · Dec 25, 2012, 10:29 AM

I cut off the bottom tab that was sticking out and used the protective film as a screen protector for a few weeks. It's effective but makes pressing the home button somewhat difficult (I used the assistive touch thing though) and calls sound super quiet because the ear piece is covered. Otherwise it's a decent temporary solution

Morshu9001 · Dec 25, 2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starrbuck

Apple has recommended for a couple of years now that screen protectors aren't needed. I didn't have one on my iPhone 4 and just sold it for the 5 with no scratches at all on the face. Don't waste the money.

They have? I disagree. They're totally worth it. My iPhone 4 screen got minorly scratched because it had no protector on it and was in a bag with other items.

gmanist1000 · Dec 25, 2012, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morshu9001

They have? I disagree. They're totally worth it. My iPhone 4 screen got minorly scratched because it had no protector on it and was in a bag with other items.

That's where you went wrong. Mine stays in a pocket, or on my desk.

Starrbuck · Dec 25, 2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morshu9001

They have?

Yes, this was discussed ad nauseam a few years ago when Apple stopped selling screen protectors in their stores and online.

Mr Hill · Dec 25, 2012, 03:18 PM

Screen protectors have been worthless since the iPhone 4 came out. Last time I used one was back when I had an iPhone 3G and haven't gotten any scratches on the screens of any of my iPhones since then.

rgarjr · Dec 25, 2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hill

Screen protectors have been worthless since the iPhone 4 came out. Last time I used one was back when I had an iPhone 3G and haven't gotten any scratches on the screens of any of my iPhones since then.

Believe it or not micro scratches do happen on the screen. I tend to not really care though since its part of the normal wear from daily usage.

Apple fanboy · Dec 25, 2012, 03:41 PM

I have the back cover it shipped with still on and I got it on launch day. I have a leather flip wallet as well, but figured this would stop the plastic case rubbing the back (after all those scuff gate threads). Happy to say mine is still spotless.

batting1000 · Dec 25, 2012, 03:53 PM

Is this not the stupidest question / thread you've ever seen?

Morshu9001 · Dec 25, 2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmanist1000

That's where you went wrong. Mine stays in a pocket, or on my desk.

OK, but then you're limited to keeping your iPhone in a pocket with no other items or a desk. It'll get scratched in a car's center console or other container with other items (think about airport security x-ray gates). And I still wouldn't trust that the inside of my pocket is completely non-scratching.

Dec 25, 2012, 12:37 AM	#1
HoopTrundler macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2011	Does the iPhone 5 come with protective film out of the package? This is a two-part question. The second part is, does this protective film work okay as a temporary screen protector? The basic situation is that I'm getting the iPhone 5 tomorrow but I'm unable to get a screen protector until later, so I was wondering if the protective film would work for a couple days, or if touch responsiveness isn't great through the protective film. And yes, I'm aware that I could just remove the film on day one and then clean the screen before putting on the screen protector, but for the purposes of this scenario I'd rather not do that.
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 12:42 AM	#2
Morshu9001 Banned Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: the capital of Assyria	1. Yes, it does. 2. No, you can't use it as a screen protector (at least not a very good one). You can buy screen protectors with pocket change from Chinese eBay sellers. Last edited by Morshu9001; Dec 25, 2012 at 01:23 PM.
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 12:42 AM	#3
Macman45 macrumors G4 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Somewhere Back In The Long Ago	No, just the thick protective covering all phones come with, I wouldn't use it as a screen protector...A day or two won't hurt as long as you are careful . A case is always more important IMO anyway. __________________ Time And Tide Wait For No Man
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 03:41 PM	#17
Apple fanboy macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United Kingdom	I have the back cover it shipped with still on and I got it on launch day. I have a leather flip wallet as well, but figured this would stop the plastic case rubbing the back (after all those scuff gate threads). Happy to say mine is still spotless. __________________ Late 2012 21" iMac 2.9GHz i5, ITB Fusion drive, 16GB RAM, 2 TB TimeCapsule, iPhone 5 32GB, iPad 4 32GB, iPad 2 16GB, apple TV 2, iPod touch 4th gen 8GB, Xbox 360 120GB. Macrumors Scavenger Hunt IV 2
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 03:53 PM	#18
batting1000 macrumors 68030 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: United States	Is this not the stupidest question / thread you've ever seen? __________________ Verizon iPhone 5 - iOS 6.1.3 iPad mini 16GB WiFi - iOS 6.1.3
	2

Dec 25, 2012, 12:51 AM	#4
Jordan921 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bay Area	Yes it does come with protective film out of the box. You could leave it on temporarily until you can get your hands on a better screen protector.
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 12:51 AM	#6
darster macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2011	Screen protectors and cases are overkill. Phone will be just fine without them.
	2

Dec 25, 2012, 09:34 AM	#8
Starrbuck macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2010	Apple has recommended for a couple of years now that screen protectors aren't needed. I didn't have one on my iPhone 4 and just sold it for the 5 with no scratches at all on the face. Don't waste the money.
	1

Dec 25, 2012, 10:29 AM	#11
sviato macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Mississauga, Canada	I cut off the bottom tab that was sticking out and used the protective film as a screen protector for a few weeks. It's effective but makes pressing the home button somewhat difficult (I used the assistive touch thing though) and calls sound super quiet because the ear piece is covered. Otherwise it's a decent temporary solution
	0

Dec 25, 2012, 03:18 PM	#15
Mr Hill macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC	Screen protectors have been worthless since the iPhone 4 came out. Last time I used one was back when I had an iPhone 3G and haven't gotten any scratches on the screens of any of my iPhones since then.
	1

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