Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Stores Now Offering Belkin Screen Protector Application

stanman64 said:
What if iPhones came with pre-installed screen protectors incorporated into the design. Like NASCAR/racing windshield peel-offs. Peel off a layer of your gorilla glass every 6 months or so for a perfect shine again.
Click to expand...

Yeah, some people would peel them off every six weeks or every six days and then file a class-action lawsuit when they ran out of layers and scratched the glass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stanman64
Fusion79 said:
I never liked the old plastic protectors. Glass protectors have changed my opinion. I have one on my 6 and love it. It has the same feel as the naked screen.
Click to expand...

I agree, the glass protectors are much better. But, I've always used a protector, because I carry my phone in a pocket. I try to keep other stuff out of that pocket, but I sometimes forget, and the screen can get scratched or nicked.

I've struggled to put a plastic protector on earlier phones, and never could get it quite right. But, then I tried the Zagg protector. They will install it for you on the spot, for an additional $7.00. With that much experience, he got it perfectly aligned, with no bubbles.

Where I live, there's a Zagg kiosk in the mall almost right in front of the Apple Store. I stopped by, and bought what they called the "HD" protector. It was noticeably clearer than their standard protector, which had an "orange peel" appearance. It also had a smoother "feel" to me.

My newest iPhone is an iPhone 6, and they had a new glass protector, or at least "new since I bought my previous iPhone". It's like the original screen in feel and appearance. It doesn't completely cover the curved glass, but it completely covers the LCD, edge to edge.

Zagg has a lifetime guarantee: they'll replace the protector if it starts to peel up. All you have to do is pay the $7.00 install fee. Also -- I was on my way into Apple to address a problem with my phone, and I expected them to replace it. I stopped by the Zagg kiosk, and they even offered to put a new protector on the replacement phone for $7.00 if I brought them the protector from the replaced phone.

Although the glass protector is tempered glass that is resistant to scratching, I somehow managed to scratch mine. You could only see it from a certain angle and couldn't really feel it. But, I got a replacement this last weekend, paying only the install fee.
 
"...Apple retail employee who has been trained in the application method will bring the ScreenCare+ machine from the back of the store."
Good to know.
 
I've gone back and forth on screen protectors multiple times. There's some validity to the need if you're trying to assure maximum return when you sell your phone. But now that I'm fully ensconced in the Apple Upgrade program, which means I am essentially renting my phone for a year at a time I have no need to keep the phone pristine, and I am not really interested in protecting the screen for the bank.
 
macintologist said:
I hate ugly screen protectors and SJ would never have allowed this.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen the Belkin one, but I have some glass screen protectors on some older iPad minis and you can't tell
pika2000 said:
I'm on the side of no screen protector. Had iPhones since the 3GS, and had Android phones since the Nexus one, never put a screen protector, and they all have pristine screens. I mean that's the point of gorilla glass, to prevent scratches.

Now I can understand those that use their phones for work and need more ruggedness, especially if the phone is exposed to sands and dust. But normal use? Save the money.
Click to expand...

It's just insurance to save you from certain causes of a scratched or cracked screen. At least with the better glass ones you can't tell a difference in feel. They're also a cheap pseudo-repair for a screen that's already (hairline) cracked :)
 
Someone should make that installation machine that works with all phones/protectors. I've installed enough of these things that I might buy it if they can price it decently. Yes, I hate putting on screen protectors.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tonyr6
pika2000 said:
I'm on the side of no screen protector. Had iPhones since the 3GS, and had Android phones since the Nexus one, never put a screen protector, and they all have pristine screens. I mean that's the point of gorilla glass, to prevent scratches.

Now I can understand those that use their phones for work and need more ruggedness, especially if the phone is exposed to sands and dust. But normal use? Save the money.
Click to expand...
Much as I’d like to agree with you. I’m far to OCD to let my phone go without one. The scratches on the screen, (I guarantee you they are there - you may not think so but you can tell in comparison with a virgin screen), would just send me crazy.
 
I have never had issues applying them. I have had issues of them peeling (likely due to cases that I put off and on... 5+ times a week) as well as chipping on the corbers (in the case of glass screens). The last two or so years I have gone without and, while I do get very fine scratches eventually, it is nothing noticable outside the right light at the right angle. Still, I would consider something like this on my next phone if it stands the test of time. Any word on whether they will replace, for free, screen protectors that happen to start peeling or chipping?
 
I think someone already mentioned this, but I text a few friends that work at Apple Retail, and there is no charge for them to apply it as long as you buy the screen protector there.
 
WigWag Workshop said:
Great service for those who need it, better then having the guy at Radio Shack do it, and have it put on crooked.
Click to expand...
Why would a guy at Radio Shack, or a 3rd party or even my friend at work for that matter put them on crooked?
 
blackcrayon said:
I haven't seen the Belkin one, but I have some glass screen protectors on some older iPad minis and you can't tell
Click to expand...
My gripe has always been around the home button. No matter how thin the glass screen protector, I can always feel a difference with the home button. This may be a minor issue for some or it may not be. Considering there are folks claiming OCD with their screens, I would think changing the home button feel would be worrisome to some.

Still, I would consider trying Belkin's glass screens. Apparently they are ridiculously thin. How they get around the curved glass on iPhone remains to be seen (for me, anyway) to provide a truly invisible application.
 
I'm surprised the video didn't show an iPhone with the protector in place (maybe compared to one without the protector) just to show how 'invisible' it actually is.

Personally, I've always used a screen protector as I upgrade my iPhone every year, and half the cost is recovered by selling my older phone on eBay. I think buyers look positively if you can say the screen has been protected since out of the box. I use Zagg protectors as you get free replacements if your screen protector gets any damage (used this guarantee once (so far) without any problems). The new 'Glass' protector went on easily without issues (probably because I was wearing gloves and used a hand held vacuum cleaner every two seconds to ensure no dust landed on the screen before application).
 
This will definitely be a great service for those who want a screen protector but aren't too confident in their application. When I worked as a Specialist whether or not we could apply a protector for a customer often determined whether they would go ahead with the purchase.

Though I'm not a fan of the Belkin protectors. I had the Invisiglass one on my 6+ for a while, and while it's thin and super clear, the edges were rough and the finish would show up marks and smudges much more than alternative glass protectors which I assume come with an oleophobic coating.
 
  • Like
Reactions: aristobrat and Happy-Mac
macduke said:
Smart of Belkin to build a machine to score a deal with Apple.

As for myself, I've never had a problem applying screen protectors. This is what you do:
  1. Turn off your home central air system and wait 30 minutes
  2. Wipe down a work space. Wipe down your phone with a different cloth, preferably microfiber.
  3. Have some scotch tape handy! I usually pull off a couple pieces, and sometimes make a loop piece for my finger in case I get a tricky dust spot.
  4. Align the bottom corners and slowly place along one side. If it meets one of the top corners square, then it's good and you can put it down the rest of the way.
  5. As you go, slowly lay it holding the protector at an angle to the display so it goes down on a curve (which I think applies more force and resists air bubbles) and watch for dust spots
  6. If find a spot, take a piece of scotch tape and dab the spot. Usually if I've turned off the air in advance, I only end up with a spot or two that is easy to remove with the tape.
Boom, that's it. Takes about two minutes or less after you've waited for the air to stop swirling in your house. I think most people could do it if they had some patience and decently steady hands, but I know that just about everyone in my family asks me to do their protectors as they just can't figure it out. Honestly though, I stopped using screen protectors when I got the iPhone 6. But the display is pretty scratch resistant now and if you get a case with a small lip around the edge it will protect it from most impacts. I've also got Apple Care Plus now as I'm on the iPhone Upgrade Plan, so it doesn't matter as much to me.
Click to expand...

Another great tip that I learned a few years ago was to find the smallest bathroom in your house, turn the shower onto hot, close the door and let it run for about 10 minutes, until the room is very steamy. Then turn off the shower and apply the protector in the bathroom. This will help to keep dust out from underneath the protector.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Happy-Mac
ChrisCW11 said:
In just a few months Tim Cook has crippled the iPhone brand as a product that requires an ugly case to improve battery performance, takes lousy blurry photos, and needs a screen protector to prevent it from scratching or breaking. No wonder sales have slowed down considerably.
Click to expand...

Is blurry photos an issue with the iPhone? As a photographer, the iPhone camera is second-to-none, imo, and I use it all the time when I don't have my DSLR on me. Using a 6s.
 
  • Like
Reactions: aristobrat, Dave Walker and Happy-Mac
In the UK, the Belkin Anti-Glare is £14.95, and the Invisiglass is £19.95. Apple Stores aren't charging extra for application, just the cost of the protector.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Happy-Mac
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back