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Basically if I was to get a protector I'd want it to be as unobtrusive as possible. I love the natural design of the iPhone and even my case is pretty lightweight.
 
it is anti scratch... that doesn't mean it will never scratch, but glass is at the higher end of the hardness scale. It takes something harder than glass to actually scratch it, so while possible the screen can still get scratches, something like your keys will not scratch the glass. This has been proven multiple times in videos of people rubbing keys all over their phone screens.

Glass is usually a 6 or 7 (out of 10) on the hardness scale.

All I know is my ip4 was handled by my daughter and within a few minutes I saw a large scratch across the screen.

I do not want this happening with my new 4S so I am investing in screen protectors going forward!
 
All I know is my ip4 was handled by my daughter and within a few minutes I saw a large scratch across the screen.

I do not want this happening with my new 4S so I am investing in screen protectors going forward!
wasn't saying that's a bad idea, was just informing people who may have never went to science or geology class how the hardness of minerals determines what can and cannot scratch it.

As I said, it's definitely possible to scratch the screen, but things like your fingernails, pennies, etc. don't scratch glass.
 
what does anyone think of the cheaper ones like skinomi?

$1.39 for fullbody skin on amazon is an amazing DEAL!
Wonder how long it stays at 1.39 because it retails at 19.95

I've used Zagg in the past and it is better imo. Smooth feel and no apparent orange peel texture. Was so good i bought a few extra as backup and still cheaper than a single Zagg.

Comes with a nice box and spray bottle.
 
It's those damned, pesky quartz crystals... Anyway, I ordered some of the skinomi protectors and apparently USPS lost them so skinomi is sending me more. Until then, I'm using the retail packaging film with the bottom and top cut off.
 
I've heard from various friends that screen protectors really do nothing at all.
As always consider the source. If the screen protector is applied it is certainly doing its job. A screen protector won't necessarily prevent all scratches even to the protector itself. It's intended to be a sacrificial part that's easier and cheaper to replace than the screen itself.

In addition, I see that the 4S has a anti-scratch, anti-fingerprint display. Are protectors worth getting? And what should I get?
As always: anti scratch != unscratchable

Worth is always highly subjective, regardless of topic. Some find thme to be worth getting. Others do not. We can't tell you what your preference is.

Same sort of deal with which one to get. Otherwise everyone would all use the same screen protector. My priorities were a smooth, hard finish as close to bare glass as possible and no noticeable impact on the retina display. I went with the SGP oleophobic but their crystal and the PS crystal are all good choices if your priorities are the same. I couldn't stand the rubbery feel or orange peel or yellowing of the Zagg IS. That said, the IS has plenty of fans despite how many people in screen protector post their negative opinions as universal fact. It's all a matter of preference.

Don't overlook the countless other screen protector threads. Most of the comments you'll see have been endless posted over and over and over.

I just know how bad I can be at applying them so I'm nervous to drop big bucks on the "good" ones just to screw up the application. I used to buy the cheap-o $0.99 ea. ones off of ebay that way if I screwed them up several times, it wasn't a HUGE loss of money
Screen protectors are easy to install and it only gets easier the more experience that you have. Read prior threads with install tips, take your time, make sure your hands are clean and make sure you're eliminated as much dust from your environment as possible.

Don't slide it around and carry it in its own pocket with nothing else in it.
That helps but it's no guarantee. All it takes is a grain of sand (which is harder than glass unlike keys).

IThe phone itself sure as hell doesn't have an anti-fingerprint quality...
It does have an oleophobic coating. It would be much worse without it.

DONT WASTE MONEY ON ANY SCREEN PROTECTORS... just bring another problem...
Whether they're a waste or not is a subjective matter.
 
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it is anti scratch... that doesn't mean it will never scratch, but glass is at the higher end of the hardness scale. It takes something harder than glass to actually scratch it, so while possible the screen can still get scratches, something like your keys will not scratch the glass. This has been proven multiple times in videos of people rubbing keys all over their phone screens.

Glass is usually a 6 or 7 (out of 10) on the hardness scale.

So as long as I keep my vast collection of diamonds away from my iPhone I'm good, eh? :p
 
So as long as I keep my vast collection of diamonds away from my iPhone I'm good, eh? :p
maybe a lil more than just diamonds, but you get the point. I was speaking more for the people who think pennies in their pocket will scratch their iphone. :D
 
Never heard of Power Support until seeing this thread today, I used to have Zagg, but refused to get another as I didn't like the peel effect. So I've had a standard At&t shield. I just ordered a Crystal from Power Support. I hope it's easy to install. :eek:
 
I'm pretty good with my gear, however, there are two things I choose not to be neurotic about:

Many times clothing is pre distressed. They use sand and ceramics in the process, which can scratch glass

The other situation is when I hand my phone over to a woman wearing diamond earrings

I use a PS Crystal so I don't have to think about it
 
The problem with most of the scratching is not the glass. It is the oleophobic coating on top of the glass. Coatings are much softer than glass.

Take for example high end watches, they use sapphire crystals that are way more scratch resistant than glass.

Double AR coated watches are scratch prone. When you take an AR coated watch for repair of scratches the watchmaker removes and reapply the coating but the crystal itself is not scratched.
 
The problem with most of the scratching is not the glass. It is the oleophobic coating on top of the glass. Coatings are much softer than glass.

Take for example high end watches, they use sapphire crystals that are way more scratch resistant than glass.

Double AR coated watches are scratch prone. When you take an AR coated watch for repair of scratches the watchmaker removes and reapply the coating but the crystal itself is not scratched.

So I should buy a Rolex iPhone protector?
 
So I got the skinomi protectors I ordered from Amazon for cheap in the mail and applied them last night. From what I can, the orange peel effect is not very noticeable at all compared to some of the pictures I've seen of other wet application protectors online. However, the front protector in my full body skin kit seemed to have some manufacturing defects with indentations and what looks like a spot where the teeth of some metal roller bit into the surface. These seem to be permanent, which kinda sucks. I checked out the second box I bought fro m them (just with 2 front protectors) and they looked to be in much better shape. Coming from only ever using static, hard screen protectors, I'm not sure how I feel about the somewhat tacky texture yet, but I think I'm warming up to it. I'll let you guys know what I think about them in a few days. Until then, I can't recommend or advise to avoid them.
 
Don't waste your money on these other screen protectors and get the PS Crystal Clear ones, you can barely tell its there and feels just like glass. It took me about 30 mins to install it but it's because I made sure it fit perfectly and made sure there were no dust particles at all.

Again THE best screen protector money can buy.
 
My experience with the PS crystal was not great. I had to constantly clean it, it finger printed like crazy, and it got really scratched in a few weeks. I ditched it for urethane rubber style ones. I'm now using bare screen though.
 
My experience with the PS crystal was not great. I had to constantly clean it, it finger printed like crazy, and it got really scratched in a few weeks. I ditched it for urethane rubber style ones. I'm now using bare screen though.

Really? No finger prints here, then again I make sure my hands aren't oily or whatever. The screen protector can only do so much, can't help it if you've got oily hands/finger lol jk
 
Really? No finger prints here, then again I make sure my hands aren't oily or whatever. The screen protector can only do so much, can't help it if you've got oily hands/finger lol jk

I am overly OCD about handling my phone. I never touch it unless my hands are clean. Never oily and I don't hold the phone against my face either causing greasyness. Simply cannot beat the bare screen. There really isn't any reason to use a screen shield for a typical OCD apple product user. If you are careless,
Of course you should protect ur phone accordingly :)
 
So I got the skinomi protectors I ordered from Amazon for cheap in the mail and applied them last night. From what I can, the orange peel effect is not very noticeable at all compared to some of the pictures I've seen of other wet application protectors online. However, the front protector in my full body skin kit seemed to have some manufacturing defects with indentations and what looks like a spot where the teeth of some metal roller bit into the surface. These seem to be permanent, which kinda sucks. I checked out the second box I bought fro m them (just with 2 front protectors) and they looked to be in much better shape. Coming from only ever using static, hard screen protectors, I'm not sure how I feel about the somewhat tacky texture yet, but I think I'm warming up to it. I'll let you guys know what I think about them in a few days. Until then, I can't recommend or advise to avoid them.

My skinomi doesnt feel tacky textured. It is smooth like glass. But it depends how well you apply it on too. Squeegee too hard and it will leave marks or ripples when the skin stretches and drys
 
My skinomi doesnt feel tacky textured. It is smooth like glass. But it depends how well you apply it on too. Squeegee too hard and it will leave marks or ripples when the skin stretches and drys

So I used the phone for a solid day and I've got to say I'm really starting to like this skinomi protector. The texture is much smoother than I originally thought and it seems to resist fingerprint smudging better than any previous crystal protector I've used. I'm pretty sure most of the lines on the front of the screen came from my own doing while putting it on and pushing too hard with the card, but the roller teeth marks were definitely not my doing. They don't detract from actual use but are a bit of an eyesore with the screen off. Also, the orange peel effect is very subtle and barely noticeable, alleviating my previous fears. I may go ahead and put a new front protector (from the second pack I bought) on so it can match the back smoothness wise. I think for $20 I wouldn't buy these over static protectors, but for $4 shipped, I might buy another box. :D


EDIT: Forgot to add one negative: while these things are 'self healing' (I scratched it with a key, pocket knife, and my finger nail and the marks all rebounded to perfect condition within 6 hours), they are unfortunately easy to temporarily mark, being softer than your average static protector. To me, the self healing properties due to this softness even out the ease of marking, but is annoying nonetheless.
 
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Fitted the Power Support Crystal film yesterday...

Looks nice, fitted pretty well, but it does show up fingerprints pretty easy...

I also have the Anti-Glare one, but was concerned that would make the retina display less detailed, but it's nice to have it as a backup...
 
So I used the phone for a solid day and I've got to say I'm really starting to like this skinomi protector. The texture is much smoother than I originally thought and it seems to resist fingerprint smudging better than any previous crystal protector I've used. I'm pretty sure most of the lines on the front of the screen came from my own doing while putting it on and pushing too hard with the card, but the roller teeth marks were definitely not my doing. They don't detract from actual use but are a bit of an eyesore with the screen off. Also, the orange peel effect is very subtle and barely noticeable, alleviating my previous fears. I may go ahead and put a new front protector (from the second pack I bought) on so it can match the back smoothness wise. I think for $20 I wouldn't buy these over static protectors, but for $4 shipped, I might buy another box. :D


EDIT: Forgot to add one negative: while these things are 'self healing' (I scratched it with a key, pocket knife, and my finger nail and the marks all rebounded to perfect condition within 6 hours), they are unfortunately easy to temporarily mark, being softer than your average static protector. To me, the self healing properties due to this softness even out the ease of marking, but is annoying nonetheless.

I was so pleased with the results I got 3-4 more packs for my family too and it still cost less than Zagg. The only downside I've found is that skinomi doesn't offer case friendly skins like their competitors. I know Zagg/BSE offer smaller cut screens to fit cases better as to avoid edge peeling or bubbling.
 
I've been using Wrapsol on my iPhone 4S. Great protection, and it's the first screen protector I've used that I could install and have NO bubbles. (just wait 24 hrs after install, and any bubbles you had will be gone). Check out their video.
 
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