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Recommendations on Screen Protectors

Another vote for the budget 3 packs. Would love to go without but cringe when I see my coworkers screens that don’t use them. I actually like the frame for alignment, fwiw.
 
The-Real-Deal82 said:
If the Spigen one breaks, then it doesn’t break easily. I’ve dropped my iPhone off the top of a stepladder screen first and I didn’t manage to break the Spigen. The super cheap ones break from the slightest of knocks. I had the Spigen version on my iPhone 8+ for 2 years and had no cracks and perhaps 4 light scratches. I’d definitely recommend it to anybody reading this.
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I have had both cheap ones and good ones that broke on day one and some have lasted longer. I have had a $60 zagg that broke in hours and some that lasted months. I have had a spigen that didn't last a day. Im just saying, spigen includes an install kit which is cool but its not better than others due to price.
 
jgo78 said:
ok, coming from experience. I also was a no protector person, none of my phones had protectors including my iphone x, no scratches. Now for the iphone 12, i decided to try again. First started by buying the expensive Belkin from Apple. I screwed it up leaving a couple specs of dust under the glass. Then people here recommended ESR. Bought a 3 pack from Amazon for $14.

My comparisons is this:

1) the belkin was $45 for a single protector. The glass seems good but it didn't cover the notch at the top or was wide enough to cover the entire screen like the ESR. I also noticed a slight bit of light bleed because there wasn't as much screen coverage as the ESR

2) the ESR while cheap, covered everything including the notch, i see no light bleed and was easier to put on. It's smooth and clear and looks like I have no protector on it at all.

While I'll bet the Belkin offers better protection overall, probably due to superior material, I'm extremely happy with the ESR as again, can't even tell I have a protector and no protector is better than none at all. My recommendation is for the ESR.
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I used the ESR this year and I agree that it is great. Fits perfectly, no notch cutout and smooth feeling to the touch. What I like even better is the price. Cheap enough to switch out for a new one when the coating wears off.
 
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C. Robert said:
I have had both cheap ones and good ones that broke on day one and some have lasted longer. I have had a $60 zagg that broke in hours and some that lasted months. I have had a spigen that didn't last a day. Im just saying, spigen includes an install kit which is cool but its not better than others due to price.
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As I said, they don’t break easily and certainly not in normal use. If you’re breaking it in less than a day then you’re putting your phone through some rather unnecessary abuse. If you claim they just break generally, then I am sorry but I don’t believe you.
 
I’ve bought iCarez brand for years. Full screen protection even over the notch and it doesn’t interfere with Face ID.
 
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trifid said:
These are the Manto screen protectors I linked earlier: I messed up on the application and got bubbles, luckily I got 2 extra ones to try again 😆. So far I really like them, there is sort of a bluish tint which looks a bit off at first (not really visible in the photos, it depends on the angle) but it doesn't bother me that much and supposedly these filter out harmful light wavelengths, so I guess that might be a good thing.

Notice the edges look black, which means it doesn't stand out as much as the regular ones, and for those using heftier cases (mine is ultra thin), it'd even less visible.

View attachment 977855
View attachment 977856
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What case is that?
 
The-Real-Deal82 said:
As I said, they don’t break easily and certainly not in normal use. If you’re breaking it in less than a day then you’re putting your phone through some rather unnecessary abuse. If you claim they just break generally, then I am sorry but I don’t believe you.
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They're made out of the same tempered glass, sold to different companies and sold at different prices. They are 9 h hardness which many companies make and cheaper. Here is a link a 3 pack for $8.99

www.amazon.com

OUBA SARRED angle grinder…

SARRED angle grinder…SARRED angle grinder…
www.amazon.com
 
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jeremydc said:
What case is that?
Click to expand...

It's Pitaka's MagEZ Case, it's taking me a bit to get used to a thin case with less drop protection than what I've used in the past (Apple's leather case), but I really like the thin profile and that some of the phone's frame still is visible including the bottom of the phone which is easier for the swipe up or reachability gestures. There is very little lip protection for the screen, so a glass screen protector is mandatory here. I'm attaching a few more photos, notice the screen protector is hardly noticeable even with this thin case.

IMG_0132.jpeg

IMG_0131.jpeg


IMG_0127.jpeg
 
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C. Robert said:
They're made out of the same tempered glass, sold to different companies and sold at different prices. They are 9 h hardness which many companies make and cheaper. Here is a link a 3 pack for $8.99

www.amazon.com

OUBA SARRED angle grinder…

SARRED angle grinder…SARRED angle grinder…
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...

I’m fine paying £5 for a Spigen one that lasts two years or the life of the iPhone in my hands. My wife uses the other from the double pack. Having 3 would be a waste as one would be thrown away with the box.
 
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As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
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Just wanted to chime in with some praise for the ESR protectors.

fits great, pretty much truly edge to edge, no notch cutout, cutout for speaker perfectly aligned, good feel. definitely recommend it
 
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Does anyone have a picture of the Belkin one installed at the apple store. Curious what it looks like and if it is close to edge to edge.
 
smf72 said:
Does anyone have a picture of the Belkin one installed at the apple store. Curious what it looks like and if it is close to edge to edge.
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I don't have a picture but it's not close to edge to edge. Actually, it's probably the worst one of the bunch in that regard. I watched an unboxing of it on YouTube and there was light bleed on the sides, that's how narrow it is.
 
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nmeed said:
I don't have a picture but it's not close to edge to edge. Actually, it's probably the worst one of the bunch in that regard. I watched an unboxing of it on YouTube and there was light bleed on the sides, that's how narrow it is.
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Thanks. The Zagg is actually collects more fingerprints then it prevents 😂
 
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PSA: The Maxboost tempered glass screen protectors do not fit in the Otterbox Defender case for the iPhone 12 Pro Max despite being "case friendly." The screen protector is a hair too long to sit flush with the case. I've tried applying the screen protector before installing the case, I've tried installing it after putting on the case (to use the frame of the case as a guide) and I've come to the same result every time, the top and bottom bubbles when used with the case. In addition, the Maxboost does not appear to have an oleophobic coating, as the screen protector was a worse fingerprint magnet than the phone itself.

I'm not sure if this is a generic screen that comes in all the assorted brands, but if it is, then that effectively eliminates most of the protectors on the market for me/this case
 
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I just ordered the Shellrus Sapphire screen protector. Yeah, it's definitely pricey but I love the scratch resistance it offers. Plus the sapphire screen feels so much better on the finger.
 
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Anyone else think the ESR screen protectors have really poor performing oleophobic coating? Compared to the ones I've used from Omoton in the past, this thing just has a layer of oil on it at all times. The Omoton ones would usually last 4-6 months before the coating would behave like this. I do like how much of the screen it covers though so I guess I'll stick with it until I find one with the same coverage but better coating.
 
I bought this full screen protector in the 12 Max. I really don’t like the screen protector with the notch cut out it looks ugly. And I normally don’t get screen protector. But the full screen one disappears. I can’t even tell it’s on. I put this screen protector immediately as I removed the protective paper covering it from the factory so install was perfect. Very happy. It’s about $13 dollars new. I don’t believe in spending something that’s consumable. Screen protector are supposed to break.
 

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posguy99 said:
Can't see ever using one of those, the edges look like they go over the band seam and are already collecting pocket lint. You'd never be able to put most cases on the phone because of the closeness to the edge.
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The Apple silicone case I have still shows the metal band slightly on my iPhone 12 Pro so I think the ESR would be fine tbh.
 
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Lammy said:
Anyone else think the ESR screen protectors have really poor performing oleophobic coating? Compared to the ones I've used from Omoton in the past, this thing just has a layer of oil on it at all times. The Omoton ones would usually last 4-6 months before the coating would behave like this. I do like how much of the screen it covers though so I guess I'll stick with it until I find one with the same coverage but better coating.
Click to expand...

I will be honest the oleophobic coating is bad on the Belkin one from Apple I am finding, I think most of these glass protector have a poor coating on them.
 
CoolRunnings said:
I just ordered the Shellrus Sapphire screen protector. Yeah, it's definitely pricey but I love the scratch resistance it offers. Plus the sapphire screen feels so much better on the finger.
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I was going to do that but decided to go with FloLab’s per MobileReviewsEh’s recommendation. It’s less than half the price and his strongest recommendation for a edge to edge (3D) tempered glass protector. We’ll see how long it lasts.
 
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