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iPhone Air Who is going without a screen protector on their Air?

bbates123

bbates123

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 2, 2010
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After watching all the drop test videos and JerryRig not being able to scratch it at a level 6, for the first time ever I'm considering not putting on a screen protector. I do wonder though if the oleophobic coating would wear off over time, assuming that is still being used today.
 
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Not Air specific but I used to be a screen protector freak until I got my iPhone 15 and 16 Pro Max’s when I decided to stop using them. Both survived happily with no scratches except the odd tiny “look under a bright light at the right angle with a magnifying glass with the screen off” micro scratch. And this year the screens are even more durable.
 
Just got an Air and decided no screen protector. Screens have been getting more scratch resistant so a protector just doesn't seem as necessary nowadays. Maybe if the protector was as good as or better than the screen in terms of clarity, feel, anti reflection, and fingerprint resistance--but I don't know if such a screen protector exists (otherwise I would think Apple would have made the screen out of that).
 
I’m using my space black Air completely naked.

I did apply a screen protector early on but I didn’t like how reflective it was and how it just ruined the aesthetic overall. It added a mm and the glass is just nowhere near the same quality as the iPhone display.

If I start noticing significant scratches then I may add a protector, but so far after a month the screen is as new.
 
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James6s said:
I’m using my space black Air completely naked.

I did apply a screen protector early on but I didn’t like how reflective it was and how it just ruined the aesthetic overall. It added a mm and the glass is just nowhere near the same quality as the iPhone display.

If I start noticing significant scratches then I may add a protector, but so far after a month the screen is as new.
Click to expand...
Same here. Had the Air since launch day and no case or screen protector. Still as good as new. This thing is solid.
 
Just got my air (cloud white) and going to give this approach a try. I usually don’t use cases but I’m going to try to go without screen protector also. AppleCare+ is ready if needed.
 
James6s said:
I’m using my space black Air completely naked.

I did apply a screen protector early on but I didn’t like how reflective it was and how it just ruined the aesthetic overall. It added a mm and the glass is just nowhere near the same quality as the iPhone display.

If I start noticing significant scratches then I may add a protector, but so far after a month the screen is as new.
Click to expand...

Once you notice these scratches, a screen protector will be pointless at this point.
 
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MarkX said:
Yeah but if they're just light scratches a screen protector would mask them and make them unnoticeable. They'd still be there though
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I'm planning to use your same approach. I don't mind a few barely perceivable scratches in the screen. They also don't seem to affect trade in value (should I need to do that). I just don't want them to get so bad that they interfere with visibility or become a big eye sore that's obvious when I'm not looking for it. Putting on a screen protector after I start to notice small scratches would prevent it getting to that point.

To me it's sort of like a new pair of pants. One can't expect to wear them often and keep them perfectly new-looking for long. Sure, one could preemptively hem patches on it to reinforce it, but then it's potentially affecting both form and function (different fabric, different thickness) and one would never get to use it as it was designed. For some that might be fine, but I'd rather use it as designed (the reason I bought it) for as long as possible then hem patches after it starts to show more wear than I want to tolerate.
 
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bbates123 said:
After watching all the drop test videos and JerryRig not being able to scratch it at a level 6, for the first time ever I'm considering not putting on a screen protector. I do wonder though if the oleophobic coating would wear off over time, assuming that is still being used today.
Click to expand...
Meeeee. Why? It has anti glare from the factory. I’m not going to worry about oleophobic coating rubbing off because seriously I’m not keeping this for 20 years. 3 to 4 years and it’s on to the next phone. Who am I kidding?
 
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AlexJ092 said:
I am screen protector and caseless this year 💪, but I do have AppleCare+ to be safe. This phone is too nice to hide and why buy an air if you are going to add bulk via a case.
Click to expand...
Applecare+ doesn't cover cosmetic damage and scratches... So it's not really a replacement for screen protector and cases like some people think
 
I really really like the iPhone Air screen. I have some Mothca matte screen protectors coming because while I enjoy the reduced anti-reflectivity, I have been used to matte on all my devices for a long time now.

But using my phone without a screen protector yesterday and today… Wow that is nice.
 
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