Is it worth it to put on a screen protector on the iPad Pro?

[PistachioLover]

I just put a tempered glass screen protector on my 10.5" iPad Pro but I'm having regrets.

Sure my finger slides more easily on the screen and there are MUCH less fingerprints, but the screen has become very reflective. Sunlight and artificial lights are more pronounced and visible on the screen. This is very annoying when watching shows or movies that have dark scenes.

I doubt the quality of the tempered glass screen protector has anything to do with it as I bought the screen protector from Spigen, and they have great quality products.

Is it counter-productive slapping on a screen protector on the iPad Pro's superb laminated screen? Are the tradeoffs worth it, like the significant reduction in fingerprints?

 

[PeterJH3]

Why not use a Zagg or Invisible Shield or whatever the big brands are in Best Buy and online these days? I tried a glass protector only once and I did not like the added mm worth of size that the screen was “lifted.” I’ve had a normal film-type screen protector on my 10.5” Pro as well as a reverse full body film type protector for it. I love the thinness of the Pro and refuse to compromise that.

 

[chscag]

I also recommend the Zagg screen protectors. They have varying degrees of quality from inexpensive to expensive hard glass protection. Not sure if that's any better though than what you're currently using.

 

[Atomic1977]

A screen protector is like using a condom to prevent a unwanted pregnancy. It’s better to use it than to be sorry. I have a Ankor tempered glass screen protector on my mini 2.

 

[spiderman0616]

I’m going without right now. Apple had to replace my 10.5” iPad Pro a couple of weeks ago due to a battery issue and I screwed up both of the tempered glass installs I tried on the new one and gave up. I think it’s definitely worth it if you use an Apple Pencil regularly. I got some scratches on my previous 9.7” model and I really think they were caused by debris getting caught between the pencil and screen. And I keep my ipads very clean.

 

[sracer]

The screen on the iPad Pro may cut down on glare, but it is at the expense of visible fingerprint smudges. I applied a matte protector on mine. No more fingerprints, no more glare. An added benefit is giving ever so slight "bite" to the screen that makes Apple a pencil usage more enjoyable.

 

[eiprol]

I honestly don't get this screen protectors thing on the iPad. Screens today are really scratch-proof, so it's useless for that; and if you drop it, you can still get your iPad broken on the edges. In addition, they are ugly (You can clearly see them), reflective... I don't know, I guess I value more the ability to enjoy the good design and the feeling of a naked Apple product than the screen integrity. And honestly, having owned almost all iPad models since the beginning, I only broke the screen once, by accident (iPad mini)... And it probably wouldn't have survived even with a tempered glass, so... I can live with it

But again, it's just my opinion; I don't even use one on my iPhone.

 

[Macalicious2011]

A screen protector on the iPad is only necessary if you slide it into a bag with the screen unprotected. My iPad rarely leaves the house and the raised edges on the case offers ample protection.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Never used a screen protector on my iPads or iPhones and never scratched the screen. Much depends on you and how you handle your device.

 

[Phil A.]

I had a tempered glass protector on my 12.9 IPP but didn't like the change in screen feel with the pen, so took it off and haven't bothered for my 10.5.

I'm getting a bit fed up of screen protectors in general to be honest, and don't really use them any more (and no scratches on any of my devices)

 

[darkarn]

I am testing out with a tempered glass, normal clear film and a matte film screen protector (not all at once obviously!).

I find that the normal clear film to be more reflective than without screen protector at all. Strangely, the tempered glass is on par with without screen protector in regards to this.

For usage, I prefer matte as it is more evenly smooth throughout since the others somehow will allow accumulation of oil from your fingers at some place and none at others, making the experience not uniform throughout the screen. This affects my gameplay a lot.

 

[thisismyusername]

I also don't see the point of using one. It's not going to help you if you drop it. It might help to prevent scratches when it's in a bag but that's what things like the smart cover/keyboard are for. I also don't use them on my iPhones either. I hate those things. I'd rather go naked.

The only device I use a screen protector on is my Nintendo Switch since the screen is plastic and scratches so easily.

 

[Noctilux.95]

I'm a photographer and have never used a screen protector for the LCD's on my camera nor screens on my iPhone and iPads. People strap on a $20K Rolex watch without a protector, why care about a cheap screen?

 

[Atomic1977]

Screen protectors are a must. I have a tzumi proglass tempered glass screen protector on my mini 2. It is far more costly to replace the actual screen if damaged then the protector.

 

[ipos]

I'm a photographer and have never used a screen protector for the LCD's on my camera nor screens on my iPhone and iPads. People strap on a $20K Rolex watch without a protector, why care about a cheap screen?

different strokes for different folks

 

[sracer]

Screen protectors are a must. I have a tzumi proglass tempered glass screen protector on my mini 2. It is far more costly to replace the actual screen if damaged then the protector.

If using a screen protector gives you peace of mind, then it is a good thing to do. Each should consider how they use their devices, what is the probability of scratching the screen, and the emotional/financial costs of a scratched screen.

And "protection" is only one reason for using a screen protector. I've never used screen protectors on my iPads... until the 12.9 Pro. My Air 2 was a fingerprint magnet even though glare was reduced. That was bad. But when I replaced it with a 12.9 Pro, the impossible happened... I didn't think it was possible for a screen to be worse in showing fingerprints, but the 12.9 Pro achieved that dubious distinction.

I applied a matte screen protector on the 12.9 Pro. Not only were fingerprints gone, the glare was gone as well and using the Apple Pencil on it felt more natural than using it directly on the screen's glass.

 

[StarShot]

i DON'T, but I can see where some need it, depending on how they pro. I just have the regular iPad Air and have a Logitech keyboard attached 99.99% of the time.

However, IF a screen protector could be put on WITHOUT any bubbles, I might go for one. I just can't stand looking at air pockets even though their harder to see with the screen on.

 

[sracer]

i DON'T, but I can see where some need it, depending on how they pro. I just have the regular iPad Air and have a Logitech keyboard attached 99.99% of the time.

However, IF a screen protector could be put on WITHOUT any bubbles, I might go for one. I just can't stand looking at air pockets even though their harder to see with the screen on.

LOL I hear you on that. I have never been able to perfectly apply a screen protector (one of the reasons why I didn't use one until the iPad Pro) until I started using the Mr Shield screen protectors. Since starting to use them, I've had perfect applications... 4 devices in all All of them are matte, but I think they sell non-matte versions.

 

[partsofspeech]

I had a matte one, making the screen dim, not helping with ‘paper feeling’ either, so I removed it.

 

[kingston73]

I don't understand the people who are saying a tgp won't help your screen, do you have first hand experience or are you just repeating things you've heard? I had an ipad 2 and then an air 2 for a total of at least 4 or 5 years. I don't know how many times I accidentally dropped either one but I do know that on at least 3 or 4 occasions my screen protector cracked but the screen underneath was fine. Would it have cracked without the protector? I'm guessing yes but would never know for sure. IMO it's easily worth the extra couple dollars and potential reflective issues to save me the price and hassle of replacing a screen.

 

[sracer]

I don't understand the people who are saying a tgp won't help your screen, do you have first hand experience or are you just repeating things you've heard? I had an ipad 2 and then an air 2 for a total of at least 4 or 5 years. I don't know how many times I accidentally dropped either one but I do know that on at least 3 or 4 occasions my screen protector cracked but the screen underneath was fine. Would it have cracked without the protector? I'm guessing yes but would never know for sure. IMO it's easily worth the extra couple dollars and potential reflective issues to save me the price and hassle of replacing a screen.

I'm speaking from first hand experience. I've owned and used an iPad practically every day from the 1st day that the 1st gen iPad was released up to today. I've traveled around the world with them. They all had covers, some had thin cases.... none of them had tempered glass screen protectors.

In all of those years and all of that usage, I've dropped my iPads perhaps 2-3 times total. Tempered glass screens would not have helped me. But that's probably not what you were referring to.

FYI, that tempered glass screen protector that cracked on your iPad is far more brittle than the gorilla glass of the iPad screen. In all likelihood, without that tempered glass, your iPads would've been fine. But that is irrelevant. If YOU feel safer using tempered glass sp, then do it. Why do you care if others don't want to and don't believe that it prevents screen breakage?

 

[sparksd]

I use one on my 10.5 iPP solely to reduce fingerprint smudging and it works well for that.