Before sticking the protective film, let's figure it out: Do I need a protective film on my smartphone?
There is no exact answer, but let's try to figure it out.
Roughly speaking, you can divide smartphones into two types: smartphones with a plastic display or tempered glass.
The first ones, for the sake of economy, use the usual cheap plastic on the displays, which is easily scratched and literally in a week you will notice that the smartphone’s screen is micro-scratched.
The latter use tempered glass, which is not so easy to scratch, but it is possible.
As already clear, in the first case, a protective film is necessary to maintain the normal look of the smartphone. In the second case, the protective film, imho, is not needed.
Protective film (protective film) is a thin polymer coating (transparent) on one side is covered with glue. Usually come with two glued extra. layers that you must peel off before sticking the protective film on your smartphone.
There are several types of films:
a) universal, which you must cut yourself in the shape of your display.
b) special films for your smartphone.
Also, films differ in quality:
- Cheap - made from tougher polymer and rougher exterior. It’s hard to wash fingerprints off such a film. A finger reluctantly glides over it.
- Branded - made better. The outer side of the film is made of a softer polymer on which the finger glides perfectly and the stains are wiped without problems.
They are delivered in original packaging with additional "buns" in the form of microfiber, sticker and are exclusively designed for specific models (that is, not universal).
Tempered glass (Tempered glass) - this is nothing like ordinary glass, which is processed according to a special procedure. First, the glass is heated to 680 degrees, and then gradually cooled with cold air. Thanks to this treatment, glass acquires increased mechanical strength and resistance to damage. In other words, scratching such a glass is much harder than ordinary.
What comes with tempered glass (or film):
1. Protective glass (or film)
2. Microfiber.
3. Blue sticker (adhesive tape) to remove dust.
4. Liquid to remove streaks (not always).
There are many different companies on the market specializing in the production of tempered safety glasses for smartphones. Depending on the thickness and strength of the glass, its price varies.
At the moment, you can find protective glasses on the market with a thickness of only 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm with a strength of 9H. 2.5D - means rounding at the ends.
If for 0.3 mm glass in China they ask only $ 3-4, then for 0.1 mm no less than $ 8.
The thicker the glass, the cheaper it is. I must say that 0.22 mm glass is almost imperceptible on a smartphone. There is no sense in overpaying twice as much for 1 mm.
Real photos of smartphone with 0.22mm tempered glass:
As can be seen in the photo, the glued glass is almost imperceptible. Glass with a thickness of 0.35-0.4 mm may slightly protrude.
Having experience using both of them, I believe that tempered glass is better than film:
- Firstly, if your smartphone has not received an oleophobic coating (prints are difficult to erase), then with a tempered glass you will solve the problem of an ever-dirty display forever.
Tempered glass is very smooth and all traces of it are erased with a microfiber cloth. - Secondly, if your smartphone falls face down (display) down, then the protective glass will take all the brunt and the maximum you will get a broken glass for 1000 pieces.
- Thirdly, tempered glass will perfectly protect your smartphone from scratches.
- Fourthly, replacing broken glass is cheaper than changing the entire display + touchscreen.
The fact is that in new smartphones, display manufacturers combine a display and a touchscreen (OGS technology - One Glass Solution). This greatly improves the quality of the transmitted picture, but in the case of a cracked touchscreen, you will have to change everything together, which significantly increases costs.
If earlier the touchscreen could be replaced separately by paying 10-20 dollars, then now you have to pay at least 45 dollars, and sometimes all 100 $.
If you want to protect the display of your smartphone, then we advise you to use a protective glass.
What happens if a smartphone with an OGS display falls from 1m height:
If the owner of the smartphone had tempered glass glued, then such an outcome could have been avoided ...
Update 04/28/2015 OnePlus One:
You can read how to stick a film or glass.
Experiment
Mobile device manufacturers recently conducted an experiment, the purpose of which is to find out the effect of the presence or absence of a protective film on the screen of a smartphone on its functioning. The fact is that many users do not attach much importance to this part and believe that a protective film on glass is an extra accessory that can be saved.
The experiment was based on a Lenovo P780 smartphone, since this is the most popular and modern device in its category. As a result, data were obtained that allow us to conclude that additional screen protection is necessary, which allows you to protect from many damage.
- Smartphone with Protective Film
Within the experiment, for half a year the device was with a protective film, and during this time it was changed several times and a new one was installed. Of course, as a result, there was no damage to the smartphone and its condition was estimated by experts as ideal.
- Smartphone without a protective film installed
During the second half of the year, a protective film was not installed on the glass, so the device was used carelessly and without observing safety requirements. After some time, scratches began to appear on the screen, which were not even noticeable to a simple layman and generally did not worsen the appearance of the smartphone.
After the expiration of the experiment, noticeable damage appeared on the screen caused by the contact of the phone with metal objects. In general, the scratches that did not affect the operation of the smartphone, but the appearance has deteriorated significantly. Given that the protective film 100% protects the glass from damage, it is better to spend some amount of money in order to maintain its original appearance.
Where to buy protective film or tempered glass?
You can buy film or glass in any store that sells phone accessories. However, often there is significantly higher prices and in order to save money it is better to choose the appropriate option in online stores (for example, clickable).
You may not be able to stick the film the first time, and besides, over time, the protective film on the glass wears out and sometimes gets damaged. Therefore, it is better to order several copies at Aliexpress and save money at the same time. Fortunately, the film costs absolutely nothing 5-7 dollars for 10 pieces.
Update 09/07/2015
In the comments they wrote that safety glasses are not needed and that in case of a fall the display will crack anyway. A couple of photos:
OnePlus One - crashed when falling from a height of about 1.3-1.5m
Xiaomi MiPad - I still do not understand why the protective glass cracked.
Will break | 3-8 $ protective glass will crack or the display of your device - it's up to you!
For a long time, films were the most popular means of protecting a phone’s display. At a time when the touchscreens were still resistive, the plastic top layer was quickly wiped off, scratches were collected on it, and if it falls, the sensor can be damaged and become unusable. However, the film is scratched, it does not have 100% transparency, impairing visibility, and the finger on it does not always slide well. With the advent of thin and transparent tempered glasses, as well as the development of oleophobic coating technology, protective glass began to be offered as an alternative to films. According to their manufacturers, such coatings save the screen from scratches and bumps. But do I need a protective glass on the phone? Learn this will help the material.
Tempered glass is an ordinary glass that has undergone physico-chemical treatment. In the manufacturing process, it is subjected to high temperature heating, and also etched in special reagents. During processing, the structure of the substance in the glass changes, and some ions (weak) are replaced by stronger ones. Due to this, the mechanical strength of the glass increases, the hardness increases, it acquires resistance to scratches and impacts.
Do I need a protective glass on my phone?
With all the advantages, tempered glass has one important drawback. With the growth of resistance to shock in the plane - it loses the ability to withstand shock in the end. Therefore, the touch screen of a smartphone that can withstand falling onto the asphalt flat can crack when struck by an angle. In the memory of the author of the article, only one case was preserved when the phone’s sensor crashed when it hit the central part. In the illustration - the phablet Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, which fell from a height on the stones. After damage, the touchscreen remained operational. 
Dozens of broken touchscreens that fell into the hands had cracks coming from the edges inwards (as in the photo below). This indicates an unprecedented strength of tempered glass and resistance to plane impacts. Its reliability is enough to withstand ordinary accidental falls. It is on this basis that the logical question arises: do I need a protective glass on the phone? After all, the touchscreen itself can withstand blows.
To answer the question, it is worth considering other features of modern mobile technology. A universal answer for everyone cannot be given, since modern displays of smartphones are produced using different technologies, the methods of their fastening are also different.
The only 100% effect of protective glass is protection against scratches and scuffs. Also, it (in the presence of an oleophobic layer) makes using a smartphone more enjoyable. However, this is more true for inexpensive phones, as flagships and scratches are well opposed, and have excellent oleophobic spraying.
Does protective glass help in case of a fall?
It is impossible to say unequivocally whether the protective glass for the phone helps with a fall. Here, too, everything depends on the type and method of installing the sensor. About each of the popular species in more detail - below.
OGS displays with 2.5D touchscreen
OGS displays are touch screens whose matrix does not have its own thick protective coating. Its role is played by a touch glass tightly glued with transparent glue to the screen module. 2.5D is a type of touchscreen, the glass of which does not have the usual edges, since the bevels are removed and sanded at its edges. One of the first OGS and 2.5D technologies implemented Apple in their iPhone.
Such sensors are not framed by the body and smoothly pass into the side frame of the smartphone. For this reason, it is not possible to glue the protective glass nicely: it either hangs over the beveled edges, forming an air gap there, or does not cover the entire screen area, leaving the edges (the most vulnerable part of the sensor) without protection.
The behavior of a protective glass glued to a 2.5D screen depends on its quality, as well as on the characteristics of the impact. If the drop occurs from a great height and the phone hits the display plane, the low-quality protective glass (less durable than the native glass) will burst, leaving the touchscreen unscathed. Without it, a blow of such a force would not have destructive consequences for details.
A high-quality protective glass may fall intact when dropped, but the sensor under it will burst. This is due to the fact that it adjoins closely, has a higher strength than the touchscreen, and high rigidity does not allow shock absorption to be absorbed, which is fully transmitted to the screen.
Example: If you put a sheet of iron on a piece of glass and hit it (the sheet) with a hammer - the glass will burst, leaving the steel sheet unharmed, since it is stronger.
Two glasses and a plastic film:
To the end impact (the most dangerous), the 2.5D sensor remains vulnerable even under protection, since the edges of the glued glass do not close the ends. In case of a destructive blow to the edge, the touchscreen will burst, regardless of the presence / absence of a protective coating. 
Based on the foregoing, the conclusion suggests itself: a 2.5D display does not need a protective glass. It is worth gluing it only to protect it from scratches, since it cannot save it from a destructive blow.
OGS displays without 2.5D
In the case of a conventional sensor glass (without polished edges), the answer to the question “Do I need glass on the phone?” Will be almost the same as in the previous case. The only difference is that the coating also protects the edges of the sensor. Thanks to this, there is little sense in it, since when you hit a corner, the protection may simply shift or burst, and the screen itself will remain intact. Therefore, a protective glass can be glued to such a screen. Sense from him, although small, but from some blows there is protection. And such a coating also saves from scratches and scuffs.
Air gap displays
For screens with an air gap, the sensor and the matrix are separate parts. They are connected around the perimeter by glue or double-sided tape, but between the display surface and the touchscreen there is a layer of air 0.1-1 mm thick. This design makes the sensor more vulnerable, because when it hits, it has much to bend. Modern glasses, although able to withstand a slight bend, but in this position, their strength drops significantly.
A plane strike that does not pose a serious danger to OGS screens can cause significant damage to the smartphone. When falling onto a stone, a local deflection of the glass towards the matrix occurs. It cracks, and if there is enough shock impulse, the matrix that will receive a point impact will also suffer. In the case of OGS, the risk of this is reduced, since the sensor distributes the shock along the entire plane of the matrix, reducing the destructive effect.
If you stick a protective glass on the screen with an air gap, it adheres tightly to the sensor, forming a kind of sandwich. Thanks to this, the sensor turns into a semblance of a triplex (composite laminated glass), more resistant to shocks than a single-layer one. Its flexibility is reduced, and even if a destructive blow can damage the sensor, the matrix will survive. And replacing one touchscreen alone will cost about half as much as a screen assembly.
For displays with an air gap, protective glass can and should be installed, since it really protects against plane impacts. And considering that without OGS only screens of budget smartphones are made now, normal glass will also protect from scratches, and a finger glides over it easier.
Conclusion
Relying on a protective glass, like a panacea for broken screens, is by no means worth it. In the case of a light impact, the strength of the touchscreen is enough to survive a fall from a meter height. But a blow to the end is likely to cause serious damage to the screen module, regardless of the presence / absence of glass. In this regard, flagships and just good smartphones equipped with an OGS panel with 2.5D edges (or 3D, like the top Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge) are the most vulnerable. For them, the protective glass is just a way to protect the phone from scratches.
11 months ago
Modern phones are equipped with durable displays. Nevertheless, in order to secure their device, they put on a case on the case. To protect the display, a protective glass or film is glued. What's better?
Plastic has significant resistance to scratches and surface wear, but does not greatly affect impact damage. Glass protective films are thicker and more durable than ordinary plastic protective films. Unlike ordinary glass, tempered glass does not break, so if the defender takes a hit, it breaks into rounded shapes, and not into dangerous fragments. With an average thickness of 3 mm to 5 mm, they provide greater protection against visible scratches on the touch screen, as well as greater impact resistance to prevent cracking and destruction of your touch screen.
Protective film. What it is? Film for the screen is by no means the most high-tech product. A film is three layers of a special material, of which the top serves as protection. Middle layer - to absorb ultraviolet radiation from the phone. The bottom layer of silicone - in order to stick to the screen.
Types of protective film
There are 3 main types of films: matte, glossy, mirror. And each of these films has its own properties.
What does the market offer?
Inexpensive, low-quality plastic protective screens that cover only the surface of the touch screen can be purchased in bulk for several dollars, which simplifies the storage of backup protective screens at hand. Better plastic screens that provide more protection can cost between £ 6 and £ 13.
Anti-freeze protection devices are usually sold individually and are usually significantly more expensive than their plastic competitors, but are still very affordable. While many high-quality tempered glass goggles range from £ 11 to £ 99, you can spend £ 25 or more for one safety glass.
* Glossy film
Many people prefer it when they choose between glass for a smartphone and film. Typically, such people value practicality. The protective function here is effective. The device in such an accessory guarantees image quality. Cons too. Sometimes a glossy film glare a lot. Scratches quickly appear on it and fingerprints remain.
Different plastic screen protectors require different installation methods. Some of them are used with water, while others use glue. Any small error can result in bubbles or bumps on the surface of the screen. One perk is that they can be cropped or trimmed to fit any smartphone. Protective screens with protective glass are custom-made to fit each phone model. To install, simply peel off the adhesive side of the protector, align the protector, gently place it on the touch screen, and then gently press down to remove bubbles.
* Matte film
Such a film is just as popular. Its main advantage is its ability to absorb glare. She also hides fingerprints. However, image degradation is often possible because it has an unusual structure.
* Mirror film
Mirror plastic does not always protect the display. And he is able to reflect objects. This means that if the screen is off, it becomes a mirror. Like matte film, such an accessory also sometimes distorts the image.
Some plastic protective devices may discolor slightly or impair screen visibility. Since plastic touch screens are porous and easily scratched, they can be less hygienic and harder than glass. Tempered glass screen protectors with an oleophobic coating have a texture similar to the original screen, which makes it easier to scan your fingers and scroll than on plastic. The toughened glass is easy to clean and the coating resists fingerprints and smudges. Due to the thickness of the glass, the home buttons of some models may seem more indented.
Protective glass
This is a more modern option to protect the screen. They make it out of tempered glass. Glass is thicker and harder than ordinary film. Therefore, you will not see fingerprints or even scratches on it. Protects from blows. Does not leak moisture. The colors, brightness and sensitivity of the display are retained. Glass is thicker (0.25-0.50 mm) because it has several layers.
Glass Transparent glass provides greater visibility and brightness of the screen than plastic protective devices. When it comes to protecting your smartphone, both plastic and tempered glass shields are better suited to deal with the costs of repairs or replacing a cracked or broken phone screen. We offer free shipping, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. But this can prevent the screen from getting scratched, and scratches can affect the structural integrity of the glass and make cracks more likely.
The first layer is based on silicone, due to which it adheres tightly to the screen. Then a bonding layer, thanks to which the fragments do not crumble when the integrity of the glass is broken. The third layer is anti-reflective. Due to it, in bright light, the visibility of the image is preserved. The protective layer saves from falls, bumps, falls and other damage. And the oleophobic coating protects from moisture, fingerprints.
As mentioned earlier, the protective film for glass is not a guarantee against cracks. A huge number of factors that can lead to cracking the screen - everything from the height of incidence to the angle at which the phone lands on the material that it lands on moisture means that this can not be done. Given that a screen protector is worth your money?
The protective screen of the protective screen is not an impenetrable force field of protection, it is an additional layer of protection. This last point is important: Screen protector can help prevent damage from directly affecting the face of your phone, but this is just an extra protection, not an impermeable screen.
To care like a girl
The film is softer than glass, and therefore it serves less. One has only to touch it with a sharp or hard object, as scratches appear. And the film is no longer suitable, you need to buy a new one. Another thing is glass. The protective layer saves from bumps and drops. Dirt from the display repels the oleophobic coating as soon as you wipe it with a rag. However, such coverage is not eternal. It wears out.
How to choose a protective glass
A good case is more important than a screen protector to protect your screen. But scratch protection is also worth it. A phone with a scratched screen is less pleasant to use, and it will cost less if you ever decide to sell it. More importantly, scratches weaken the structural integrity of the glass. It is much easier to break a scratched glass. When this happens, the protector can be easily replaced.
We used the Mohs hardness test kit to see how easy it is to scratch every screen protector. These defenders are widely available, but they are almost always expensive. We also wanted to see what you get with the best low-cost models - if they performed the same way as the expensive options, we knew that we would not need to explore the middle ground. For each tread model we tested, we followed the instructions in the installation field on the corresponding phone.
Before cleaning the glass, check its integrity. Pour a little water on its surface. Everything is fine if it begins to collect in drops. When water spreads, it indicates that the coating is broken. Maybe he doesn’t exist at all.
Remember that alcohol solutions, like other cleaning products, are not suitable for cleaning. It is better to use solutions based on water. They are applied to a cotton cloth, and then gently wipe the screen of the device.
We appreciated how clear the instructions are and how useful the installation tools are. After the screen protector was in place, we visually inspected it to find an obvious deterioration in screen quality or brightness, and we ran our fingers around the perimeter, checking for unpleasant sharp edges. Usually we used a phone to confirm that the defender did not interfere with the use of the touch screen. During this use, we also observed how easily the fingerprints showed on the tread, and then we wiped the screen to see how easily we could remove these fingerprints.
The situation can be corrected even after the oleophobic layer disappears. You only need to buy special oleophobic coating kits. The kit contains a mild substance. And also - special rags. They are needed in order to apply and distribute it. The tool dries in front of the eyes, and therefore you need to work at a pace. It is advisable to carry out the procedure again the next day.
Then we smashed our Mohs hardness test kit. Kuors, professor emeritus of ceramic engineering, professor of metallurgy and materials science at the Colorado School of Mines. While he softened his answer by saying that the Mohs test was not an ideal analogue of the pencil test, he came to the conclusion that “the rating will be the same because you simply evaluate the scratch resistance with two different probes.” Then we wrote down the number of the toughest stylus that didn't scratch the glass, as well as the number of the stylus that scratched it.
You will inevitably have to make a choice between these accessories. It should be borne in mind that film protection is not needed. But it acts little. So, you have to change often. Glass - of course, the accessory is more durable. However, it will quickly lose its properties if exploited carelessly. Glass requires special care. Many who have a mobile device do not want to do this. However, those who do this can expect glass to serve him for a year or more.
Since we did not have pens with hardness between integers, in this manual we will mark for each protector a hardness range that includes the actual scratch resistance of this model. We did not perform any drop tests using the screens, because we do not believe that such tests are especially relevant. Tests in which a heavy object, such as a ball bearing, hit directly on the screen, do not represent real scenarios, not to mention that the impact that violates the screen protection may not have violated the unprotected phone screen.
Make a conclusion yourself!
Film or protective glass? What to choose? Determining which is better is not so simple. Opinions on this subject may be different. And we must admit that each of these two applicants for the title of “best” has its pros and cons. So, the whole point of the choice is to ultimately prioritize without errors.
Glass. Confident protection
In addition, it is impossible to recreate all types of impacts that may be affected by the telephone, therefore the results of a specific type of drop test cannot be generalized to cover all scenarios. It is just as good or better than the other glass lids that we tested in almost every way, and this is the cheapest model we tested, which costs a tenth of what popular brands buy. If you used the screen protector from edge to edge on a flat phone, this design is initially a little annoying, since you will feel the edge of the tread when using the phone, but this is a common occurrence for every defender. tests.
Buying a film will cost less. The film varies in texture. She will serve several months if she is treated with care. Alas, the film will not be able to protect against serious damage. It’s not so easy to stick a film to everything.
Glass has a shockproof layer, grease repellent coating. It can last about 2 years. Installation leaves only a pleasant impression. True, the oleophobic coating must be constantly looked after. Glass costs a lot more than film.
The glass has precise openings near the top for the ear speaker, ambient light sensor and front camera, as well as an opening for the Home button. We did not see problems with clarity or brightness, and we quickly got used to the fact that the defender is on the phone. We appreciate that the edges of the glass are not square or sharp - something we saw with some glass shields, and a design that might be uncomfortable.
Even around the Home button, we did not miss a finger around a smooth edge. And although any glass surface will accumulate fingerprints and oil from the skin, we found that it did not show them too easily, and we wiped them very easily. We also did not see any damage when we tested the keys to the house, which is a good sign of real protection.
In contact with
It’s very interesting what you use, dear friends. If you do not use anything, then you are lucky and do not think about scratches and possible damage that can lead to serious expenses. I do not insist on anything, this is a personal matter for everyone, I just want to say that films and glasses have their pros and cons.
Take here the film. You can choose almost any device and with almost any characteristics (matte, glossy, with protection from viewing by a neighbor, without such protection, ultra-thin and so on). Films are cheaper. But gluing them is still hell. No matter what straight arms you have, there is still a risk of tearing the tape. Glasses have other features - you can choose almost any model, often there is an oleophobic coating, if your device has worn off, here is a way to get protection from dirt and drops again. The glass is easy to glue, but you must immediately prepare for a small increase in size. Although, with Android-based devices, this is not as noticeable as the iPhone 6/6 Plus, where they still have not made a glass that completely covers the front surface. In general, I want to hear from you this:
And after holding the phone in our pocket for several weeks, we did not see any significant increase in dust around the edges of the glass. This means that you don’t have to worry about damaging the installation: if the dust gets under you or if you don’t level the first protector properly, you can clean it and start from the second. If for the first time everything is going right, you have additional information for a friend or as a backup.
Included with two pieces of glass is one of the most complete installation kits: two sets of wet and dry wipes for cleaning the screen, a small dustproof cloth, six stickers for removing dust, which you can also use to apply the protector using the “articulated method”, and durable cardboard bubble carrier. One thing that is not included is the screen alignment tool, which comes with some of the more expensive competitors. Instead, the plastic film protecting the glass has tabs on the top and bottom that allow you to align the screen protector without having to worry about holding it around the edges.
- Glass or film?
- Which company - and is there any difference for you which company produced glass or film?
- What is your smartphone?
- If you do not need such protection, write so)
I’ll add that I like SGP glasses, I don’t like films.
Read also
i will disappoint you, at the expense of glass chips. These glasses crumble from the smallest blows on it; there were 2 glasses at all edges in chips. On the films and on the native screen there will be no chips
How to stick a protective glass or film?
In our tests, everything that lined up correctly was easy. The new "withstands a drop test with the same steel ball sixty grams from 130 centimeters." Everything related to the new model is similar to the previous version: from packaging to accessories to the glass itself, and our scratch tests showed the same results. Overall, we expect glass manufacturers to continue to come up with more durable materials. It is also possible that improvements in glass technology will enable screen protectors that fully cover the curved edges of the phone.
Of course and necessary. And the joystick from the console too. And all the furniture is only in packaging film.
Vyacheslav Petrovich
Buying even an inexpensive smartphone, you should buy accessories to protect it from damage. It is especially necessary to protect the screen of the smartphone, because if it is damaged, we will lose the opportunity to use the device.
To protect the screen of the smartphone, most of us acquire a special film. And this is the right purchase, the screen in the protective film is scratched less, the risk of breaking it is also reduced. But there is another type of screen protection - glass.
Advantages of protective glass:
Its resistance to mechanical damage is much higher than that of films. You can even try to scratch the best quality glass with a knife or scissors, and there will be no residue on it. Also, the protective glass significantly reduces the risk of damage to the screen during shock loads.
The protective glass lasts much longer than the protective film.
Protective glass holds much better than a similar film.
Disadvantages of protective glass:
The price of such glass is higher than the film, but the film will have to be changed more often, which increases the cost of it.
The protective glass slightly reduces the sensitivity of the phone’s screen sensor, but on expensive smartphones this effect is less pronounced.
The thickness of the phone after gluing the glass will be greater than the thickness of the phone with a film.
What to choose - glass or film?
In my opinion, if it’s not important for the user to increase the overall thickness of the smartphone (and it’s small) and slightly decrease the sensitivity of the sensor, you should choose glass, because it protects the device much better from mechanical damage.
The display is the most sensitive part of the smartphone to damage. Even with the most accurate owner, the gadget's screen sooner or later becomes covered with small scratches. And if you carry the device in the same pocket with keys and coins, put it on the table with your screen or drop it, then damage cannot be avoided. And what a shame to "catch" a scratch, chip or crack in the first weeks after buying a smartphone! However, the problem is solved simply - you just need to purchase a protective film or glass for the screen. In this article, we will tell you the main thing you need to know about such accessories.
Screen protectors - one stop choice
Film is an accessory of high strength made of high quality polymer. The degree of protection of a smartphone depends on its plasticity. In general, this is the easiest and most affordable way to prevent scratches and abrasions on the screen.
The film copes well with protection against mechanical stress. The disadvantage of the films can be called poor shock protection - it is likely that she will not be able to protect the display in case of a serious fall.
There are a huge number of different types on sale. You can purchase for your device the one that most suits your needs. Let's talk about the types of accessories that are most common at present.
Glossy Films
This is perhaps the most common type of protective film. It perfectly hides minor scratches on the screen surface and resists the appearance of new damage. The main advantage is that it has almost no effect on image quality: the screen remains bright, color reproduction does not change. very thin, almost imperceptible. Due to its small thickness, it does not affect the sensitivity of the display. This provides the maximum level of comfort when using the gadget.
However, there is a minus - a glossy film can increase the amount of glare on the screen. In the bright sun you have to come up with something: for example, set the display brightness to maximum values.
Matte (anti-glare) films
Such a coating almost does not glare, since when it hits a dull surface, the light beam scatters and practically does not reflect. This allows you to comfortably use your smartphone even in bright conditions. In addition, almost no prints remain on such a film.
However, matte films have minor flaws. These coatings are characterized by increased density (compared with glossy); on the one hand, this contributes to better protection, and on the other, it slightly reduces the sensitivity of the screen. However, after a couple of days of using the gadget with a matte film, the difference becomes imperceptible, the fingers "get used" to a little more pressing.
Slightly reduces the image quality - it becomes more grainy. However, if your device does not have a Retina display, you will almost not see the difference.
Mirror Films
This variety is quite rare. The film surface creates a "mirror effect", increases the ability of the display to reflect objects. When you turn on the screen, the mirror effect becomes invisible.
Mirror films not only perfectly protect the display from scratches and scuffs, but also give the device a very unusual appearance. However, you will have to clean the screen surface very often - fingerprints remain on the mirror surface. In addition, color reproduction when using "mirrors" is still worse than when using transparent films.
Typically, all of the above protective films are a thin sheet of plastic, which is cut out under the profile of a particular model of smartphone. But there are also universal blanks suitable for screens with a certain diagonal. They are a simple rectangular sheet with a grid layout, from which you can cut a film suitable for your smartphone.
By the method of fixing on the screen, protective films can be divided into two types: static and adhesive-based films. Static films are held by a thin adhesiveless silicone coating. They stick well to smooth, clean surfaces, do not leave air bubbles. Thanks to the silicone coating, they can be removed, washed and re-glued many times to various devices. Most modern films are static.
The glue-based film is much more “capricious”. It can, of course, be removed for cleaning. However, gluing back will be difficult - bubbles will appear. Yes, and her “wash supply” is small, she quickly becomes unusable.
Safety glass - maximum reliability
What if scratch protection alone is not enough? After all, not a single smartphone is safe from falling. And even if your phone has repeatedly coped with such tests, believe me: sometimes it is enough to drop the device even from a small height, so that you have to completely change the screen.
In this case, it will help. This is the most advanced display protection option. In fact, it is a thin and durable plexiglass. Like films, tempered glass for screens are matte and glossy. Remember the properties of both (the same as the films), and choose what suits you.
There are many advantages to safety glass.
- Transparency: the glass is not cloudy, without extraneous inclusions. This is one of the reasons why the image quality remains practically unchanged - it remains at the same high level.
- Small thickness (about), which almost does not affect the sensitivity of the touch screen. If it changes, it is very slightly.
- Hardness: the surface of the glass has a hardness index, which is three times higher than that of a conventional film. Even piercing and cutting objects, such as knives and keys, will not scratch the protective glass.
- : Reduces fingerprint screen pollution.
- Resistance to various damages: like films, glasses perfectly protect the display from scuffs and scratches. But that is not all. If the smartphone crashes, the screen remains intact. Glass takes all the blow on itself and breaks into small non-cutting pieces.
Safety glasses are most often produced for specific phone models. However, you can purchase one that is suitable for several phones with a specific screen size (compatibility with certain smartphones is usually indicated on the package).
Which is better: glass or film?
A definite answer to this question cannot be given. In this case, you should focus on your own needs and how you are used to using the phone. If you managed to get your “darling” a durable cover, in which he is constantly located, it makes sense to stick a film on the screen. If you are not a fan of “body kits” on your phone, then you should buy a protective glass: the case will suffer much less when dropped than the screen.
Another point: films still need to be changed more often than tempered glass. The fact is that protective polymer films that “take a hit on themselves” are thinner and softer than glasses, which means that scratches and scuffs appear on them over time. This does not affect the degree of protection, but it affects the usability and appearance of the gadget. However, as we have said, everyone chooses what is closer to him.
