iPhone screen protector black border too thick - normal or defective?

[yummysapple]

Hi all,

Just installed a tempered glass screen protector on my iPhone (Pro Max), and I noticed the black bezel/border looks quite thick.

It seems to slightly intrude into the display area — for example, the scroll bar and content don’t reach the true edge of the screen. Everything is aligned properly, so I don’t think it’s an installation issue.

Is this normal for some screen protectors, or is this considered a poor cut/defective product?

For those using good-quality protectors:
• Does your black border sit exactly on the bezel?
• Or is there always some level of screen coverage?

Trying to decide if I should just live with it or request a refund.

Thanks!

 

[iFone88]

It’s not defective. You’ve just likely bought cheap.

There’s a whole thread on screen protectors.

You need to be looking at Benks, Torras or Flolab for the best fit and thinnest black borders

 

[Motionblurrr]

All those black border screen protectors cut into the screen. Even the thinnest ones with the thinnest borders, it still still cut a pixel or two out.

I tried protectors like that and though I enjoy that it looks like there's nothing on the screen, the black borders cut into the pixels and I could notice it right away because it looks "3D" in a sense, where the screen looks like it's another layer underneath the protector. I hated that about them.

 

[iFone88]

All those black border screen protectors cut into the screen. Even the thinnest ones with the thinnest borders, it still still cut a pixel or two out.

I tried protectors like that and though I enjoy that it looks like there's nothing on the screen, the black borders cut into the pixels and I could notice it right away because it looks "3D" in a sense, where the screen looks like it's another layer underneath the protector. I hated that about them.

Incorrect.

There are some on the market that don’t cut into the screen.

 

[AmberGilbertson]

I'd say it's probably not defective if everything is aligned properly.
Quite a few edge-to-edge protectors with black borders cover a tiny bit of the display, but some brands definitely do it better than others. If the border is noticeably covering the scrollbar or UI elements, I'd personally return it rather than just live with it.
I've learned that the fit is just as important as the glass quality. A well-cut protector should line up with the bezel instead of eating into the visible screen.