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

Where to get screen protector installed?

rdunlap

rdunlap

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 13, 2013
320
52
Hey all. I just bought a new iPhone XS Max and want to protect my investment with a tempered glass screen protector and want to know where to go to buy and have it installed. I want to make sure it's installed perfect or it'll drive me nuts. Do these stores use a machine to install them and is there any store in particular that has a warranty or something where if the phone needs to be replaced or something like that that a new one can be put on with no cost to me?

Thank you in advance!
 
Apple stores have a machine that installs them pretty good. They aren't perfect though, but as good as it gets unless you do it yourself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AE14
Amazon and buy one that comes with the guide tool. It’s a frame and you just put the protector in and it aligns spot on

Best Buy insignia brand has the guide tool
 
I had both my screen protectors installed by techs at Best Buy. The lady tech who installed my last screen did a perfect job; no bubbles and exact alignment. The screen protectors were made by Zagg.
 
Any of them on Amazon with the plastic frame guide; they're around $10 for 2 of them. Cant really screw it up. The edge to edge with no notch cutout are best.

Dont get ripped off for $40 at the Apple store for the Belkin. Same glass as the ones from Aliexpress that are $2/piece for the full screen and under $1 for the notched out ones like Belkin.

For $39.99 I could order literally 44 of them from China shipped; see below. There are only a few factories in China that make these and they get rebranded. None are "better" quality warranting 10-20 times the actual cost. The markup is HUGE on cases and screen protectors.

Now look I get iphones are expensive and everyone thinks inflated price, but they have huge R&D and other costs.

But simply repackaging (no R&D) an 88 cent at cost piece of sticky tempered glass, ok lets say $2 max with their packaging, for $40 grinds my gears that they are allowed to get away with that. $10 for 2 of them packaged with the guide tray from Amazon shipped, ok, the convenience of not waiting 2-3 weeks is worth it there.

Untitled.jpg
 
Last edited:
There is a Zagg kiosk in my mall. Every time I get a new phone ... off to the kiosk I go. They get it right every time.

If the protector cracks ... when I am in the area ... I swing by ... and I think for something like $5 ($10???) they replace it for free.
 
The Oak said:
There is a Zagg kiosk in my mall. Every time I get a new phone ... off to the kiosk I go. They get it right every time.

If the protector cracks ... when I am in the area ... I swing by ... and I think for something like $5 ($10???) they replace it for free.
Click to expand...
I'm a bit confused on this...
Seems to me that if you pay $5 (or $10) for the replacement, then it's not free (?)
 
  • Like
Reactions: TJohn2001 and Givmeabrek
1144557 said:
Any of them on Amazon with the plastic frame guide; they're around $10 for 2 of them. Cant really screw it up. The edge to edge with no notch cutout are best.

Dont get ripped off for $40 at the Apple store for the Belkin. Same glass as the ones from Aliexpress that are $2/piece for the full screen and under $1 for the notched out ones like Belkin.

For $39.99 I could order literally 44 of them from China shipped. You could put a new one on every 2 weeks (26 per year) if you wanted and still come out ahead.

There are only a few factories in China that make these and they get rebranded. None are "better" quality warranting 10-20 times the actual cost. It's the same ridiculousness of paying $40-50 for a plastic/TPU case that you can order direct from China for $10 or less. The markup is HUGE on cases and screen protectors.

Now look I get iphones are expensive etc but they have huge R&D and other costs. Rebranding an 88 cent at cost screen protector, ok lets say $2 max with packaging, for $40 grinds my gears.

View attachment 792086
Click to expand...

I looked for this kind and couldn’t find one. Now I have a catalyst case so I don’t need it but I’m not thrilled about how I lose the superb clarity of the OLED but I’ve always used a life proof or catalyst anyway so I’m kinda used to it
 
DeltaMac said:
I'm a bit confused on this...
Seems to me that if you pay $5 (or $10) for the replacement, then it's not free (?)
Click to expand...

Zagg has lifetime warranty. First screen you purchase at regular price. Any replacement from Zagg is free but they charge 5.95 for shipping.

(Kiosks are charging extra if it’s not free)

I’ve done 3 return replacements in two years with my 6S directly with Zagg.

First you register your new screen protector with Zagg. Then when you need a replacement you put down your credit card for the shipping and they send you new protector.

Zagg includes a return envelope for you to put your broken protector and send it back to them as proof. If you don’t have the proof, they charge your credit card on file the full price of the screen protector.

No questions asked ever. I have 4 family members and each family member has requested replacements. In two years I replaced 9 screen protectors between us all.

I’m not sure if any other company does this, but hands-down it’s so worth buying one zag for your new phone IMO.

It’s saved my phones from many deep scratches and even glass breakage a couple times I’m sure.

I prefer the HD Glass over the scratch resistant protection screens which usually feels abrasive and resistant. I prefer the smooth glass touch and swiping like a regular phone display.

Since Zagg will replace my screens, I’m not worried about getting scratches anyway.

On that note I’ve had my X Zagg HD Glass protector for 8 months still crisp and clean.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire
Right, but its not "free" as you're actually already paying for it in the overinflated up-front price of $39.99 (Best Buy price at least for them)

Again see my post #8, same "HD" "9H" "crystal clear" glass notched screen protectors are 88 cents from China; and that's not even a bulk price either that's already someone reselling them.

Again, lets even assume for sake of argument that's even $5 in costs for 1 protector with box/packaging/transport to retail store costs.

So sure, I'd give you 5 free replacements too if you paid the shipping costs; cost me $5 with the box initially, then a few cents times 4 replacements. Cost me $7 total. What a business model where you give the illusion of "freebies" when you already marked the good up 570% it's cost and a gross profit margin of 85%
 
If I purchased AppleCare is a screen protector even needed?
 
Hieveryone said:
Is it smudge resistant? I've ordered TWO different brands on amazon and am not satisfied with either of their oleophobic abilities :(
Click to expand...

I've never found the oleophobic stuff to work very well. If smudges are your primary reason for getting the protector, you'll unfortunately be disappointed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AE14
1144557 said:
Any of them on Amazon with the plastic frame guide; they're around $10 for 2 of them. Cant really screw it up. The edge to edge with no notch cutout are best.

Dont get ripped off for $40 at the Apple store for the Belkin. Same glass as the ones from Aliexpress that are $2/piece for the full screen and under $1 for the notched out ones like Belkin.

For $39.99 I could order literally 44 of them from China shipped; see below. There are only a few factories in China that make these and they get rebranded. None are "better" quality warranting 10-20 times the actual cost. The markup is HUGE on cases and screen protectors.

Now look I get iphones are expensive and everyone thinks inflated price, but they have huge R&D and other costs.

But simply repackaging (no R&D) an 88 cent at cost piece of sticky tempered glass, ok lets say $2 max with their packaging, for $40 grinds my gears that they are allowed to get away with that. $10 for 2 of them packaged with the guide tray from Amazon shipped, ok, the convenience of not waiting 2-3 weeks is worth it there.

View attachment 792086
Click to expand...

I definitely considered doing it on my own but then thought "I just spent $1250 on a new phone, am I really gonna cheap out for the $40 screen protector?"
 
  • Like
Reactions: m0sher
The Oak said:
There is a Zagg kiosk in my mall. Every time I get a new phone ... off to the kiosk I go. They get it right every time.

If the protector cracks ... when I am in the area ... I swing by ... and I think for something like $5 ($10???) they replace it for free.
Click to expand...

I do the same. In my mall, the kiosk is right outside the AT&T store. After getting a new phone, I walk straight out to their kiosk. When I traded my phone in, the guy was impressed with the screen. It's because I never touched it a single time. As clumsy as I am, I don't trust myself to enjoy it for a while. And the Zagg feels good to me anyway.

When it breaks, I drop it off, pay my $5-$10, go get a bite to eat, then pick it up.
 
ggibson913 said:
I definitely considered doing it on my own but then thought "I just spent $1250 on a new phone, am I really gonna cheap out for the $40 screen protector?"
Click to expand...

If it was better protection, some revolutionary new tech, sure I'd agree. It's a few millimeters of tempered glass with adhesive on one side; they all are. Some just cover more or less of the notch and screen.

If you look at Chinese suppliers they look exactly the same as major brands sell. They're all from the same few Chinese factories that make them; some just rebranded and resold at 200-500% profit.
 
rdunlap said:
Hey all. I just bought a new iPhone XS Max and want to protect my investment with a tempered glass screen protector and want to know where to go to buy and have it installed. I want to make sure it's installed perfect or it'll drive me nuts. Do these stores use a machine to install them and is there any store in particular that has a warranty or something where if the phone needs to be replaced or something like that that a new one can be put on with no cost to me?

Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Get a Zagg Armored Edge from Best Buy. They come with an application tray. They go on perfect every time.
 
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