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I use matte protectors on my phone and pad to reduce glare and fingerprints, and wouldn't be without them for those reasons.
 
The physics of what happened does not make sense.

Also 3 screen protectors for $15 is not cheap.
 
I use matte protectors on my phone and pad to reduce glare and fingerprints, and wouldn't be without them for those reasons.

Apples Oleophobic coating resists fingerprints better than any protector. It's incredibly scratch resistant as well.

I carry mine without a case or covered screen at all times. Just drop it in my pocket. Years later, I've never experienced even the slightest of scratches.

It's just a phone. I relax & enjoy mine.

If I were to drop it, scratch it or break it... The good news is it's easily replaceable.

I've saved plenty by not buying cases, protectors or insurance. Enough to easily cover the cost of a new one.
 
Never used a screen protector. Never will. Hate them. End of.

Only thing I use is an iCarbons skin on the back glass because I tend to throw it onto my desk at work a few times every day....

It's personal preference. Don't go telling people what they HAVE to do. If they don't want to use a screen protector, then why the hell should you care?!
 
YES, Screen protectors are needed
It's not worth the risk LOL!
Subjective, as always. Your clue here is the word worth. Whether any one person find them to be worth it or not is irrelevant. Do what works for you. No need to evangelize.

ever consider that the screen protector itself is a lot more scratch-prone than the screen?
Doesn't matter. Screen protectors are sacrificial parts and easier to replace than the screen.

People not caring about scratches on their screen are in the minority by far.
Citation?
 
Don't go telling people what they HAVE to do. If they don't want to use a screen protector, then why the hell should you care?!

Has anyone here demanded we get protectors? If they did, what do you care? Seems you have some issue with your perception of people telling you what to do, not a thin plastic sheet that covers a phones screen.
 
I haven't used a screen protector since the 3G. An while I'll use a case for dropping accidents, I still use no screen protector.

Guess what? No scratches on any of the iPhones I've had. While walking, I'll have it in my pocket. Lucky? Eh, maybe. But I'm not the only one.
 
Don't need hearing protection to use a gun.
Don't need a helmet to play football.
Don't need doors, hood, windsheild, or seatbelts to drive a car.

Don't need more than a 3 second fuse when lighting dynamite.

wow...

that train of thought is absolutely amazing.

can make you deaf
will most likely cause a concussion
will kill you
will kill you

no protector on an iphone screen... will piss you off IF IF IF you happen to scratch it
 
ever consider that the screen protector itself is a lot more scratch-prone than the screen? just because the protector got dinged up doesnt mean the screen would.

Especially considering they are made of different materials!
It is said the the original prototypes were made of plastic but weren't durable enough so SJ demanded they make them out of glass.
 
Maybe there are good ones out there, but every time someone shows me something on their phone with a screen protector on it, I notice the screen is either blurry, or washed out looking, or there's a bubble, or it's all scratched up and they haven't replaced it, etc. No thanks.
 
Just did a scratch hunt on the front of my iPhone (there is a case that covers the back and sides but no protection on the front). I found none on the top bezel. I found none on the screen. However I did find some extremely fine scratches on my home button :eek: But to find them I had to polish my iPhone to perfection, then hold it up to the light on a certain angle to be able to see the scratches.
 
Only thing I use is an iCarbons skin on the back glass because I tend to throw it onto my desk at work a few times every day...

The problem I'm having is that the back glass is too slippery. Twice my 4S has had minor falls because the vibrator vibrated it right off of whatever I'd placed it on. No scratches, but I'm considering a back skin for that reason.
 
Just did a scratch hunt on the front of my iPhone (there is a case that covers the back and sides but no protection on the front). I found none on the top bezel. I found none on the screen. However I did find some extremely fine scratches on my home button :eek: But to find them I had to polish my iPhone to perfection, then hold it up to the light on a certain angle to be able to see the scratches.

To my understanding the home button is not made of glass
 
Just did a scratch hunt on the front of my iPhone (there is a case that covers the back and sides but no protection on the front). I found none on the top bezel. I found none on the screen. However I did find some extremely fine scratches on my home button :eek: But to find them I had to polish my iPhone to perfection, then hold it up to the light on a certain angle to be able to see the scratches.

Go into fluorescent light. Use extreme angles. I bet I could find a scratch on your phone.
 
To each his own. I have never had a screen protector on any of the iPhone's that I have owned, and I never will. I'm certainly glad it helped protect your phone in the scenario you described, but I think they take away from the overall "look" of the phone itself.
 
Go into fluorescent light. Use extreme angles. I bet I could find a scratch on your phone.

Nope, I found none :D Except the scratches on the home button of course. And as soon as you press the home button the oil from your finger immediately conceals the scratches ;) The same would apply on any other part of the phone that you touch, so it is impossible to see these fine scratches under normal usage.
 
The phone will indeed scratch. On my iPhone 4 i never used a screen protector and when i sold it for my 4s it had little hairline scratches all over the screen and a few deep scratches that could be felt easily with your fingernail. Of course I didn't try to avoid them as it was only a phone. On my 4s I have a power support protector to cut down on the glare. Love it. Had one on my 3gs but never took the time to put on on my 4. But they do hold up better than the HTC phones that i have had. They scratch by looking to closely at.
 
I got a Zagg Invisible Shield HD. Installed professionally, and feels as smooth as the glass screen. I'd like to have that piece of mind, especially since I'm in a field where I need to protect my phones.
 
Bottom line is these screens can be scratched easily without dropping them. If your is naked and has 0 scratches consider yourself lucky.
 
Bottom line is these screens can be scratched easily without dropping them. If your is naked and has 0 scratches consider yourself lucky.

They will get scratches, but as I said before, most of them will be so fine that you won't be able to see them over the oil of your fingers anyway... I can only see scratches on mine when I polish it to get rid of all fingerprints.

Screen protectors also seem to scratch more easily than the proper glass front panel, so unless you replace them regularly it'll make your phone look worse.
 
I'm so happy I bought a screen protector. I had my phone for like 3 weeks, and I accidently dropped my phone screen down onto a bunch of gravel. Thank goodness the Screen protector took the damage, it took like 4 chunks out of it, and a bunch of little scratches on it. I do love the fact it is you can reapply it a again and again. I have a Moshi screen protector, http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/accessory-details/?q_sku=sku5370338
 
My phone slid across an entire parking space... no case, no protectors.... no scratches on glass.
 
Don't really get the debate going around here.

Why the hell would you care if another iPhone user here uses a protector / case or not and worry about them getting scratches?
 
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