Introduction
Whilst we increasingly integrate mobile gadgets into our lives, there is a growing urge to protect them too. Before jumping straight into finding huawei screen replacement services, you may want to consider purchasing a screen protector to prevent your gadget from damage, which is often caused by our own carelessness and unforeseen accidents.
Unfortunately, there’s plenty of misinformation out there that may hinder you from purchasing an appropriate screen protector for your needs. Not to worry! We’ve put together a list of the types of screen protectors, their respective features, and what you need to consider before getting one.
Different Kinds Of Screen Protector Materials
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass, priced around five to thirty dollars, is often used to protect phone and tablet screens since it is laminated and intended to withstand scratches and impacts. Moreover, tempered glass can also absorb the impact of a fall, protecting your original screen from damage.
However, tempered glass cracks easily –– once the edge of the glass is broken, cracks will soon occur from one end to the other. It is also thick, and if you prefer your phone to be slick and thin, then tempered glass may not be the screen protector for you.
PET
PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a polyester-based plastic screen protector priced around five to thirty dollars. PETs are thin, transparent, and come with a smooth matte coating that may alter the feel of your gadget’s screen when you touch it. However, the protector is hardly noticeable when in use. The coating might also work as an anti-glare shield, absorbing and dispersing light so it doesn’t reflect off your original screen.
However, do take note that PET is a thin plastic shield. Although it protects against scratches and small cracks, it does not offer additional protection for your gadget. PET might not be for you if you are looking for added damage protection apart from scratches.
TPU
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a polyurethane-based plastic screen protector. It is flexible, thin, translucent, and oil, grease, and abrasion-resistant, whilst boasting a high degree of transparency. Because of its natural elasticity and abrasion resistance, TPU can cover most phones and withstand knocks and scratches, all without compromising its touch resistance.
However, it is notoriously difficult to apply to gadget surfaces. You’ll need a spray solution, a squeegee, and some cloth just for the application process. Hence, if you are looking for a hassle-free screen protector application, TPU may not be for you.
Popular Types Of Screen Protectors
Full Protection
These protectors, which are usually made of tempered glass, are designed to safeguard your gadgets from scratches and the occasional drop. They’re thicker than PET and TPU screen protectors, and less flexible to the touch.
Matte Surfaces
A thin plastic layer (PET or TPU) with a matte or anti-glare coating is arguably the most basic screen protector available. It’s an inexpensive and effective solution to keep the glare off your screen while protecting it from damage.
Screens With Mirrors
When the backlight is turned off, this premium feature transforms your phone screen into a mirror. If you need a mirror but don’t wish to carry one on you, this is a good option. Similar to privacy filters, you will be charged more for this feature.
Privacy-Protecting Feature
TPU, PET, and tempered glass screen protectors can all have privacy coating added, and protectors with this feature are always prominently labeled as “Privacy Screen” or “Anti-Spy” protectors. Unless you’re staring at your phone from straight overhead, this screen protector obscures your phone screen from all other directions.
Other Useful Features
In considering a screen protector, you are likely to see the following features:
Fingerprint-less Coating
Most touchscreen gadgets include an anti-fingerprint coating. It’s made to prevent smearing and blotting on your phone screen caused by your fingers’ oils. However, the coating also eventually wears off, so you may see a decline in effectiveness over the long term.
Antibacterial Coating
Antibacterial coatings are found on most touchscreen devices and screen protectors to help prevent the growth of bacteria and mold on the surface. And because most antibacterial coatings have a lengthy lifespan, they’re a terrific feature to have if cleanliness and hygiene are important to you while making a purchase.
Non-Reflective Coating
A non-reflective coating diffuses the light that strikes the screen, reducing unwanted reflections created by strong lights. If you are not fond of this feature, read the screen protector box carefully. Most standard screen protectors have this function, which can be tough to avoid.
Redundant Features
Oftentimes, companies market their products by using fancy terms to attempt to differentiate their products from the rest in the market. For the most part, this marketing language glorifies features that are not very important in the grand scheme of purchasing screen protectors. You can do away with these marketed features when considering your purchase, which includes:
Ultra-Clarity Coating
When brands market their products as being super clear, they want you to believe that only their products can blend in with your phone and become hardly noticeable. However, this is a marketing gimmick, as you’re still able to see your screen after each application –– regardless of what protector you use.
For your reference, the thicker the protector, the more you’ll notice it. When it comes to protecting your screen, PET and TPU are significantly thinner than tempered glass, so you are much less likely to notice them once they are applied.
Durability Ratings
Many screen protectors will have a durability rating listed on them. This is especially true with tempered glass protectors, which frequently advertise a “9H” hardness grade for added security.
This durability rating refers to the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, but the scale is no longer valid once minerals have been transformed from their native condition, as the manufacturing and production processes can bring extra stressors to a new product.
Final Things To Note
Let’s take a moment to consider some factors other than screen protectors themselves that may influence your final decision:
Getting A Case May Be A Better Option
While a screen protector can help prevent scratches and scuffing, a case provides significantly more protection.
Also, as some cases include a lip that covers the edge of the touchscreen, you’ll want to be sure the case won’t interfere with your screen protector. This is something you want to take note of if you are intending to get both a screen protector and a case for your phone.
What Are You Using Your Gadget For?
Screen protectors have a bad reputation for being difficult to install. While some screen protectors (PET) make it simple to attach the protector to the screen, others make the process more difficult.
To adhere the screen protector to your device, a liquid adhesive is required for certain tempered glass and the majority of TPU screen protectors. Take a moment to consider whether you’re up to the task and what options you have if the installation goes wrong.
The application process is the most challenging component of owning a screen protector for most people. For the uninformed, applying adhesives and removing air bubbles trapped between the original phone screen and the screen protector can be a time-consuming task.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is important to be aware of the kind, type, and feature screen protectors have to offer, as well as knowing how to cut through the fog of marketing language, to find a screen protector that matches your needs. Having such valuable information will not only help you make better decisions, but it can also potentially save you from a cumbersome screen protector application process!
