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Apple Banning Screen Protectors in Retail Stores?

I have the original iPhone July 2007.

No Screen Protector, ever, and have never needed one. Screen is in fine shape.

Never had a case either and the phone is still in great shape.

Battery still good too.
 
I've been using the powersupport Anti-Glare for years now and I love it. I can't stand the massive reflection of using the iPhone without one. And for that matter, I can't stand using glossy screens period. I was able to install it without any bubbles and have been more than satisfied. If the screen was actually anti-glare (matte vs. glossy) to begin with, I wouldn't have put any screen protector on my phone.
 
I've found my screen protector be VERY helpful. True, the glass front of the iPod touch / iPhone is difficult to scratch, but it ain't impossible. I'd like to be able to sell the thing as 'like new' when upgrade time rolls around.

I also like the slightly less slippery texture the protector adds to the touchscreen.

Seems silly to ban them to me.
 
I think they are doing this because of all the Apple store customers are opening up the cases to try them on for feel, and the stupid little plastic cover paper thing is falling out, getting bent etc etc. The customer changes his mind and puts the box back on the hook, but the plastic cover thing is missing.

The next customer who wants to buy one takes it off the hook, sees that some other thoughtless customer has already been tearing the box up, and so that customer picks a new virgin box from behind and checks out.

Seriously, I saw this at an Apple store, and it's just an unfortunate thing about human shoppers who feel they can open boxes up like that and make a mess of the retail display.


That is why I think Apple is banning those things
 
Don't you guys buy accessories online? It's a rip-off buying it instore.

I do go browsing in the Apple Store and look at the accessories to see what's cool. Then buy it online. I guess I can't do that.
 
There are probably many reasons for doing this, one of which is an environmental issue. Cut back on a lot of the extra junk and waste.
 
I've had a screen protector on my original iphone and 3G - ever since the day it came out. I've never had any problems with dust or bubbles or with the multi-touch. When Apple's replaced my phone (not for screen problems), the genius even offered to re-use the film on the new phone. The last time I had an extra so didn't need it. I love the matte film on the phone, makes the touchscreen less "sticky" and I have no glare.
 
Like many of the other posters here are suggesting, there doesn't seem to be a great deal of value to the protectors. I'm on my second iPhone now. The first had a protector on it from nearly day one. I didn't bother with the second phone.

The second phone looks better without the guard, works better (more touch sensitive), doesn't get a dirt frame building up around the edge of the protector, and the second phone, now 8 months along, is reasonably scratch free on the glass surface.

After thinking about it for a while, reminds me a bit of my grand mother's house and the plastic covers on the furniture ... kept it looking great so that when it was time to replace it and give it away it was really nice for the next owner (or junk yard depending on the case) and was never fully enjoyed while she owned it.
 
miles01110 said:
Well that's annoying. Seems like an example of Apple throwing a fit when a company makes a product to correct a potentially fatal problem with their devices (fragile screens).
Click to expand...

The actual durability of the iPhone/iPod Touch screens is astounding. Until you've actually tested it, stop spreading fud.
 
My god... this is so annoying reading some of these comments from both sides.

1) this is not about your personal experience with standing scratching while not using a screen protector, therefore, Apple is cool

2) Apple is evil for not selling certain 3rd party things at their stores

Both don't make any sense!

Apple can do whatever they want. It's their stores. If you want a screen protector get it else where. They're not banning you from using one!
 
Bought one for two reasons:

1. Fingerprints and

2. Glare.

Never had an issue with the possibility of breaking or scratching.
 
I stopped using them. They are a waste of money. Anything strong enough to scratch the iPhone screen will go right through a cheap, plastic, over-priced, screen protector.

I applaud Apple for banning them. They probably cause multitouch and heat related problems.
 
I will agree that the things can be hard to get on at times and require some patience and work to get air bubbles out. I don't have screen protectors on my MBP's glass screen but the palm rests and trackpad film seem a must for daily use (decreases overall wear and tear... keeps out dust. The iPad... kinda seems to need it, I think. Since you have to touch the glass all the time. If you have a ring on... necklace, etc... and it hits it, won't seem that bad.
 
Maybe Apple have found that their iPad doesn't work so well with a protective screen on it, so they're removing all screens to stop people thinking about using them (I've no doubt manufacturers are making screens for iPad as we speak).

Seems to be too much of a coincidence that they're making this move close to the iPad release.
 
Why would they do this?!

Best thing about buying a screen protector is actually seeing in it store, same with cases.
 

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Wow, Now apple is pushing it, seriously, I don't understand why apple is banning screen protector, we already pay a premium price, and also the ipod touch/iphone screen does get scratched.. screen protection is the way to go if you plan on selling it later on or if you want to keep your ipod immaculate..
 
!¡ V ¡! said:
Bought one for two reasons:

1. Fingerprints and

2. Glare.

Never had an issue with the possibility of breaking or scratching.
Click to expand...

Yep. Not so much glare for me, but I put on one of the matte screen "protectors" to essentially eliminate faceprints on the phone after talking on it. Yuck.
 
chriszzz said:
The actual durability of the iPhone/iPod Touch screens is astounding. Until you've actually tested it, stop spreading fud.
Click to expand...

Cannot speak for others, however one of my iPod Touch feel only a foot from the couch onto a hardwood floor and the screen not the glass was toast. :(
 
GeekLawyer said:
I have never, in all my iPhones, used a screen protector. They're junky and, in my view, completely unnecessary.

Though I don't know why Apple would deny them to people who find some use in them...?
Click to expand...

They're not "denying" anything. They're just removing them from the Apple stores. You can still buy them.

If something is sold in an Apple store, that tends to give it an imprimatur of approval from Apple. For whatever reason, Apple doesn't want to appear to endorse these protectors. It seems silly to me, but, OTOH, I'm not a $40 billion company.
 
I think this will have a big cooling effect on screen protector sales across the board. Whether they are available elsewhere or not, apple's refusal to sell them will change people's opinion of them. I wouldn't be surprised if they adopted a policy of telling every iPhone purchaser not to get a screen protector.
 
dave-gallagher said:
I have an iPhone 3G that's about 20 months old. I wore a screen protector on it during the first year or so and then removed it after it got all gunked up. Months later and the screen remains scratch-less, which is just amazing. So it's probably not even needed really.

The rear black casing, however, has lots of small scratches on it (a case would have helped here, something else I've ditched since buying the phone to eliminate pocket-bulk).

Totally different than old-school Palm Pilots or Pocket PC's. Those NEEDED screen protectors, otherwise they would get scratched in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

I too used one on my original iPhone and when I first got my 3G, but then took it off. A year plus later no issues at all. I use a bestskinsever for my phone so I don't have to use a case and it keeps it scratch free but I wouldn't use a slick or dimpled (skin) screen protector, it just isn't necessary. I would do the same for an iPad if and when I get one, put a BSE skin on the back and that's it.
 
Yamcha said:
Wow, Now apple is pushing it, seriously, I don't understand why apple is banning screen protector, we already pay a premium price, and also the ipod touch/iphone screen does get scratched.. screen protection is the way to go if you plan on selling it later on or if you want to keep your ipod immaculate..
Click to expand...

Just buy a new one. No big deal.

Steve

-- Sent from my iPhone


/(hope you get the reference...!)
 
Are they running hot(ter) with a screen protector?

And a screen protector can protect you from glass particles when the screen breaks, and thus I want to have one. Like my seatbelt waiting for that one single moment in life, after which I will be glad that I was buckled up safely.

p.s. I have a son who ran through a window, and the paramedics said that he would have been dead without the protective [adhesive] film on our window.
 
aside from preventing scratches on the body, i think for the most part they are more trouble than they're worth. the glass screen is tough and virtually scratch-proof (sure, you CAN scratch it, but not usually through normal use).

the one reason to use one is that they provide better grip. iphones are slick and i've dropped mine a few times...i don't think i ever dropped my 2G iphone when i had the invisible skin on it.

still doesn't explain why apple would ban it...but i won't even try to understand why apple does some of the things they do...they just do.
 
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