To protect your iPhone's screen, it's worth purchasing a screen protector or film. Find out which is the best to choose and how to stick it correctly.
Film or glass?
Each of the accessories has its own characteristics.
Protective film:
Thinner glass, therefore less visible on the device.
Protects from scratches, but won't save the screen if dropped.
Difficult to stick: in the process, you can ruin the film.
Protective glass
Better protection: If the iPhone falls on the asphalt, only the protective glass breaks and the screen remains intact.
Collects fewer fingerprints thanks to its oleophobic coating.
Easier to stick on.
How to properly glue the protective glass
The process of gluing glass and film is similar, but the protective glass is easier to apply at home. It does not swell, and dust particles trapped under the glass can be easily removed. How to properly glue the protective glass - we will tell you in this manual.
Step 1: Prepare the room
If dust gets under the glass, air bubbles will appear, which will be difficult to get rid of. To prevent this from happening, prepare the room:
It is better to glue the glass on a flat surface. Remove everything unnecessary from it so that nothing interferes in the process.
Wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and dust that may get on the device's screen or glass.
Light dust particles can float in dry air. Spray water from a spray bottle into the air to wet the dust and settle to the floor.
Step 2: prepare the tools
Now place the necessary tools on the prepared surface. The complete set with glass has everything you need:
Dry cloth or microfiber cloth.
Stickers for removing dust from the protective layer.
Step 3: Degrease the screen surface
Clean the iPhone screen with a tissue or cleaner. There should be no prints or dust left on it, otherwise they will be visible after the glass is attached. After cleaning, wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth to keep streaks free.
After that, carefully place the device on a flat surface, without touching the screen with your hands or clothes.
Step 4: stick the glass
Each glass consists of three layers. The top and bottom are labeled with numbers 1 and 2. The first layer is peeled off to bond the glass to the phone. The second is to reveal the final coating of the glass.
Let's move on to the sticker process itself:
Remove the first layer to expose the adhesive surface.
Turn the glass with the adhesive side down and bring it to the screen of the device.
Place the glass on the screen, and remove the bubbles that appear to the edges with a cloth.
When the glass fits well and there are no bubbles left, remove the second layer.
Step 5: Are there any specks of dust left? They can be removed
If after the sticker you still find specks of dust under the glass, you can remove them using the stickers that come with the kit.
Lift the protective glass with one sticker, and remove dust particles from the screen with the second.
Stick back the glass and smooth it with a microfiber cloth.
If you do not want to glue the glass yourself, you can contact the re: Store and we will help you.
We hope this guide was helpful!
The prices indicated in the article are current at the time of publication of the material and may change over time.
The display is the most sensitive part of a smartphone to damage. Even the most neat owner of the gadget screen sooner or later becomes covered with small scratches. And if you carry the device in one pocket with keys and coins, put it on the table with the screen or drop it, then damage cannot be avoided. And how annoying it is 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 these accessories.
Screen protectors - a universal choice
The film is a high strength accessory made of high quality polymer. The degree of protection of the smartphone depends on its plasticity. In general, this is the easiest and most affordable way to prevent scratches and scuffs on the screen.
The film does an excellent job of protecting against mechanical stress. The disadvantage of the films can be called weak protection against shocks - most likely, it will not be able to save the display in case of a serious fall.
There are a huge number of different types commercially available. You can purchase the one that best suits your needs for your device. Let's talk about the types of accessories that are most common today.
Glossy films
This is perhaps the most common type of screen protector. It perfectly hides small scratches on the screen surface and resists new damage. The main advantage is that it almost does not affect the image quality: the screen remains bright, the color rendition does not change. very thin, almost invisible. Due to its insignificant thickness, it does not affect the display sensitivity in any way. This ensures the maximum level of comfort when using the gadget.
However, there is also a drawback - glossy film can increase the amount of glare on the screen. In the bright sun, you will 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 matte surface, the light beam is scattered and practically not reflected. This allows you to comfortably use your smartphone even in bright light. In addition, there are almost no prints left on this film.
However, matte films have minor drawbacks. These coatings are characterized by increased density (compared to glossy ones); on the one hand, it contributes to better protection, and on the other hand, it somewhat reduces the screen sensitivity. However, after a couple of days of using the gadget with a matte film, the difference becomes imperceptible, the fingers "get used" to slightly stronger presses.
Decreases the image quality slightly - it becomes more grainy. However, if your device does not have a Retina display, you will hardly see the difference.
Mirror Films
This variety is quite rare. The surface of the film creates a "mirror effect", increasing the ability of the display to reflect objects. When the screen is turned on, 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 surface of the screen very often - fingerprints remain on the mirror surface. In addition, the color rendering when using "mirrors" is still worse than when using transparencies.
Usually, all of the above protective films are a thin sheet of plastic that is cut to fit the profile of a particular smartphone model. 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.
According to the method of fixing on the screen, protective films can be divided into two types: static and adhesive-based films. Static films are adhered to by a thin glueless silicone coating. They adhere well to smooth, clean surfaces and leave no air bubbles. Thanks to the silicone coating, they can be removed, washed and re-glued many times on various devices. Most of today's films are static.
The adhesive film is much more "capricious". It can of course be removed for cleaning. However, it will be difficult to glue it back - bubbles will appear. Yes, and she has a small "stock of wash", she quickly deteriorates.
Protective glass - maximum reliability
What if scratch protection alone isn't enough? After all, no 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 low height, in order to have to completely change the screen.
In this case, it will help. This is the most advanced display protection option. In fact, it is thin and durable plexiglass. Like films, screen tempered glass comes in matte and glossy finishes. Remember the properties of both (the same as those of films), and choose what is right for you.
The protective glass has many advantages.
- Transparency: the glass is not cloudy, without foreign inclusions. This is one of the reasons why the image quality practically does not change - it remains at the same high level.
- Small thickness (about), which has almost no effect on the sensitivity of the touchscreen. If it does change, it doesn’t change much.
- Hardness: The surface of glass has a hardness index, which is three times higher than that of ordinary film. Even stabbing and cutting objects such as knives and keys will not scratch the protective glass.
- : Reduces screen pollution from fingerprints.
- Resistance to various damages: like films, glasses perfectly protect the display from scuffs and scratches. But that's not all. If the smartphone falls, the screen remains intact. The glass takes all the impact on itself and breaks into small, non-cutting pieces.
Protective glasses are most often produced for specific phone models. However, you can purchase and, which is suitable for several phones with a certain screen size (compatibility with certain smartphones is usually indicated on the packaging).
Which is better: glass or film?
There is no definite answer to this question. 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 "favorite" a durable cover, in which it is always located, then 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 suffers much less often when dropped than the screen.
One more point: films still need to be changed more often than tempered glass. The fact is that protective polymer films that “take the blow” are thinner and softer than glass, which means that scratches and scuffs appear on them over time. This does not affect the degree of protection, but it does reflect on the usability and appearance of the gadget. However, as we have already said, everyone chooses what is closer to him.
Surely many of you have noticed scratches on the screen of your phone or smartphone, and this is even despite the fact that the manufacturer claims that it is impossible to leave scratches on the glass! To protect the screen of the device, you can use a film or special protective glass. What should you choose?
Film
Anti-scratch screen protectors are usually made from polyurethane or some other type of material that can be scratched, such as from keys if you carry your smartphone in your pocket. This is the main feature of the film, which assumes possible damage. At the same time, modern films can not only protect the screen from scratches, but also hide fingerprints.
Films are of several types:
- Matte film. This type of film avoids sun glare and fingerprints. The disadvantages include a noticeable deterioration in the quality of the picture on the screen. In addition, matte film may distort the image slightly.
- Mirror film. As the name implies, such a film reflects objects, however, only when the device's screen is turned off. In fact, you end up with a specular surface that can distort the image just like in the previous case.
- Glossy film. The most popular type of films. This is a common transparent film, mainly used to protect the display from scratches. For the simplest and most inexpensive film, go for the glossy film.
The advantages of the film include its low cost, good protective properties, if we talk about scratches, no distortion on the screen, if you use an ordinary glossy film, as well as almost complete invisibility on the screen.
There are also downsides. Firstly, if the film falls, it is unlikely to protect the screen from cracks, and secondly, sticking the film on the screen is another task that not everyone can do.
Protective flogging
Protective glasses appeared relatively recently, but very quickly they began to conquer the market from films. The secret is simple: relatively low cost and protection of the screen not only from scratches, but also from falling. According to the manufacturers, most glasses are able to take a blow on themselves and in the event of a fall, it is the protective glass that will break, and not the smartphone screen.
The glass is very thin, its thickness rarely exceeds 0.2-0.3 mm, while it is very hard. Most glasses have an oleophobic coating, so there will be no problem with fingerprints or smudges. It is very comfortable to use a device with a protective glass, an unprepared person can hardly notice at all that the glass is glued to the screen.
The glass does not distort the image on the screen and is remarkably responsive to touch, and it is even easier to stick on and expel air if something goes wrong.
The only drawback is that the glass is slightly thicker than the film, which in turn can slightly increase the weight of the device. But this can hardly be attributed to the category of such bright minuses.
What to choose: film or protective glass?
Glass is the best choice. But if someone is confused by the fact that glass is more expensive than film, and in addition, it may slightly increase the weight of a smartphone, choose a film. But remember that the film will not protect the screen in the event of a fall of the device, but the glass can protect it, taking the entire blow on itself.
The considered means of protecting your iPhone from falls can be purchased and installed in our service centers:
Many Apple mobile phone users try to provide maximum protection for the screen of their device by purchasing for it protective film or protective glass... Unfortunately, in most cases, one thinks about this issue after the phone is in trouble - the glass is broken as a result of a fall or badly scratched as a result of daily use.
In this article, we will look at the basic concepts associated with these accessories for the iPhone, and figure out which is better - glass or film for the iPhone.
IPhone Screen Protector
IPhone screen protectors primarily function as protect the glass of the device from scratches and abrasions that can be caused by foreign objects after contact with the glass of the iPhone. The thickness of the protective film is hundredths of a millimeter, so its installation has practically no effect on the appearance of the device.
Basically, there are common transparent and matte iPhone screen protectors on the market:
- IPhone Clear Film, as the name suggests, is completely transparent. The only drawback of the transparent protective film is the soiling (fingerprints remain on the film), however, this drawback can be easily eliminated with a couple of movements with a soft cloth on the screen 🙂
- Matte film differs in that, due to the presence of a matte finish, the screen of the device will give less glare from external lighting. At the same time, there are practically no traces of the user's fingers on the film itself. Other features that can be inconvenient for someone are that the matte film slightly darkens the iPhone screen and gives a slight graininess to the image.
There are also other types of iPhone screen protectors: the so-called. Privacy (the image on the smartphone screen is visible only at a right angle, the film obliquely darkens the screen due to the special coating of the film); mirrored (due to a special coating, the film gives the effect of a mirror if the iPhone screen is turned off); colored protective films with gradient effect, etc.
The cost of protective films for iPhone (depending on the device model) - from 200 rubles. Installing a protective film- the task for an unprepared person is not an easy one, therefore, if you want to install a protective film on the screen of your iPhone, you should trust those who have extensive experience in this matter. The cost of installing a protective film in our service center is from 200 to 400 rubles.
The main disadvantage of protective films is weak, purely symbolic, protection of the device's screen from mechanical damage. As mentioned above, the films provide protection for the glass of the device only from minor scratches and abrasions. Therefore, if you want to provide your phone with maximum protection, you should pay attention to another accessory - protective glass for iPhone.
Protective glass for iPhone
The main task of tempered protective glasses is to protect the iPhone screen from mechanical damage that may appear due to not very careful use of the device. The thickness of the protective glass for iPhone is 0.2 to 0.35 mm, which allows you to comfortably use your phone with the protective glass installed.
The main advantage of protective glass is its impact resistance... If a protective glass is glued to your iPhone, then in the event of a fall, the likelihood that the phone screen will remain intact, and the installed accessory will take the blow on itself increases significantly. Of course, falls can be different and it may happen that the protective glass will not be able to protect the iPhone screen from damage, but in most cases, iPhone users after the device falls with the protective glass installed turn to us only to remove the broken protective glass and install a new one ...
For iPhone 6 and newer, protective glasses are of two types:
- Glasses that are glued to the flat surface of the front glass of the iPhone. When such glass is glued along the perimeter between the protective glass and the body, part of the glass of the phone itself remains open.
- Glasses that cover the entire front panel of the phone as a whole (so-called,). Visually, such glasses protect the entire front panel of the iPhone as a whole, but there are two points: the protection is essentially also glued only on the flat plane of the glass, and the area around the perimeter is simply attracted by static. As a result, as practice shows, the service life of such glasses is less. it can begin to peel off by itself from any accidental exposure. In addition, the installation practically excludes the possibility of using dense covers, because the edges of the cover will rest against the glass and lift its edges.
Important information!
If your iPhone has a protective glass installed and, by coincidence, it is broken, do not try to remove it from the iPhone screen with just your fingers. Small particles of shattered glass can seriously damage the skin, so it is recommended that you use any handy items to carefully remove the shattered protective glass from the screen of your device.
As for the rest, protective glasses for iPhone are fully consistent with those of protective films - color rendering, image quality and sensor sensitivity remain at an excellent level, without affecting the usability of the gadget in the least. In addition, due to the higher density, it will be much easier for an untrained person to install a protective glass on an iPhone than to stick a thin protective film.
How much does an iPhone protective glass cost?
The range of offers for the sale and installation of protective glass for iPhone in St. Petersburg is very wide. In general, it all comes down to the fact that the cost of the glass itself can vary from 300-500 to 1500-2000 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and quality. Somewhere services for installation of protective glass are described separately and cost from 200 to 600-800 rubles, somewhere glass upon purchase will be installed for you free of charge. In our service center, we try to give our Clients the best combination of cost, taking into account the quality of accessories and warranty obligations, therefore, at the moment, the cost of protective glasses for different iPhone models is as follows:
iPhone 4 / 4s- 499 rubles
iPhone 5 / 5s / SE- 799 rubles
iPhone 6 / 6s / 7 (and all Plus models)- 999 rubles / 1499 rubles
(depending on the type of glass)
At the end of the article, I would like to say that the choice of which accessory to buy and which is better - glass or film for an iPhone - of course, is entirely yours. But, in any case, we highly recommend protecting the screen of your smartphone, because repairing an iPhone in the event that its glass breaks or the display is damaged will cost much more than buying a new protective film or protective glass.
We thank our partners - the TelephonePlus store for the materials provided and the expert assessment of the discussed accessories. For all visitors to our website and customers of the service center in the partner store, a discount will be provided on any accessories for iPhone and iPad. Contact:
Applying protective glass and film to a smartphone screen requires a jeweler's work to avoid the appearance of air bubbles. If you are not sure what you can do with your own hands, contact the specialists of our service center.
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4 comments to the article "Choosing iPhone protection. Which is better - glass or film for the iPhone?"
Margarita, thank you for sharing your experience! We have installed many different films on the iPhones of our clients and we have huge statistics accumulated over the years. Of course, the whole question is in the quality of the offered product. Glasses, like films, are counterfeited. It is impossible for an ordinary buyer to distinguish a copy from a fake. Here everything depends on the good faith of the seller.
As for Japanese films. Our statistics show that when the iPhone falls on the asphalt, they do not protect. Clients come with broken screens and whole tapes. Therefore, we stopped offering them for installation. Those glasses that our masters install break themselves, while the iPhone display remains intact. Therefore, it is very easy to remove the broken glass (and its substrate contains an elastic film) and install a new one.
Another of the biggest benefits of good screen protectors is that they cover the corners of the iPhone as well. Practice shows that iPhones most often beat corners. Both the case and the display itself often remain intact, while the film is elastic, and when dropped, the film bends, and the iPhone case gets a dent.
But thanks for your opinion!
I have a protective glass. When the iPhone fell on the asphalt, only the protective glass burst. This is always an exciting moment when you bend over the fallen iPhone and think to yourself - if only it worked, if only it worked! and then, you see the broken glass and think, if only the screen remains intact, because you know that it is not cheap =) Stupid moment =) It turns out that the protective glass really takes a hit and bursts itself, leaving the iphone display module intact. Economically very justified =) Yes, and over time, the protective coating (oleophobic) is erased and fingerprints remain more and more. I have to rub the display on the leg =)
On the contrary, I believe, based on personal experience, that the protective film is much better in all respects. I use anti-glar film set, made in JAPAN, matte and it does its job perfectly. In addition, the iPhone fell more than once on the floor and on the asphalt, and on the concrete floor in the entrance. The screen has never cracked in three years, not a single scratch. Glass (I used it) twice, on different iPhones - one broke when it fell on the floor in the apartment on linoleum, and the second broke without falling at all (I was very surprised when I saw a crack on the glass, since such embarrassment did not happen with the film at all) ... In addition, the glass makes it heavier, but I already have 6S plus, and if I also put on the charging case, it will be a brick. Definitely, I don't buy glass anymore (and I had to buy it, because there were only glasses in the local store, supposedly they really protect), but this is not so. I also think that under the cracks under the glass, the screen is scratched. Well, the choice is yours, and I made my choice a long time ago. Even any non-Japanese film is better than glass, since I also used these in the intervals of waiting. they differ only from the Japanese one in that, firstly: the Japanese packaging of the film includes: two films, a cloth, thick cardboard and a sticker (after cleaning the screen, this sticker must be glued to the screen and removed, this way all dust particles are removed, without residue), secondly, traces of glue do not form under the film, as are formed after the Chinese or any other (when you remove the film for replacement, you can see adhesive traces under the Chinese one on the sides), the Japanese lays down better and its surface, there are always two films in the package. For the price it is, of course, more expensive.
Before sticking a protective film, let's figure it out: Do you need a protective film on a smartphone?
There is no exact answer, but let's try to figure it out.
Roughly speaking, smartphones can be divided into two types: smartphones with a plastic display or with tempered glass.
The first, for the sake of economy, use ordinary cheap plastic on the displays, which is easily scratched and literally in a week you will notice that the smartphone screen is covered with micro-scratches.
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 preserve the normal appearance of the smartphone. In the second case, a protective film, imho, is not needed.
Protective film is a thin polymer coating (transparent) coated with glue on one side. Usually supplied with two extra glued on. layers that you have to peel off before sticking the protective film on your smartphone.
There are several types of films:
a) universal, which you must cut yourself to the shape of your display.
b) special films for your smartphone.
Also films differ in quality:
- The cheap ones are made of a stiffer polymer and a rougher exterior. It is difficult to wash off fingerprints from such a film. A finger slides over it reluctantly.
- Branded - made with better quality. The outer side of the film is made of a softer polymer on which a finger glides perfectly and stains can be wiped off without problems.
Supplied in branded packaging with additional "buns" in the form of microfiber, sticker and are exclusively designed for specific models (that is, not universal).
Tempered glass is nothing more than 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 processing, the glass acquires increased mechanical strength and resistance to damage. In other words, it is much harder to scratch such glass than ordinary glass.
What comes with tempered glass (or film):
1. Protective glass (or film)
2. Microfiber.
3. Blue sticker (adhesive tape) to remove dust.
4. Liquid for removing streaks (not always).
There are many different companies on the market that specialize in the production of tempered protective glasses for smartphones. Depending on the thickness and strength of the glass, its price varies.
At the moment on the market you can find safety glasses 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 for only $ 3-4, then for 0.1 mm it is not less than $ 8.
The thicker the glass, the cheaper it is. I must say right away that 0.22 mm glass is almost invisible on a smartphone. There is no sense to overpay twice as much for 1 mm.
Real photos of smartphone with 0.22mm tempered glass:
As you can see in the photo, the glued glass is almost invisible. Glass with a thickness of 0.35-0.4 mm may protrude slightly.
Having experience with both, I find that tempered glass is better than film:
- Firstly, if your smartphone has not received an oleophobic coating (prints are difficult to erase), then with tempered glass you will solve the problem of an ever-dirty display forever.
The tempered glass is very smooth and all traces can be easily erased from it with a microfiber cloth. - Secondly, if your smartphone falls with its face (display) down, then the protective glass will take the entire blow on itself and you will receive a maximum of 1000 pieces of broken glass.
- Thirdly, the tempered glass will perfectly protect your smartphone from scratches.
- Fourth, replacing a 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 significantly 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 by separately paying 10-20 dollars, now you have to pay at least 45 dollars, and sometimes even 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 a height of 1m:
If the owner of the smartphone was glued on tempered glass, then such an outcome could have been avoided ...
Update 28-04-2015 OnePlus One:
You can read how to properly glue the film or glass.
Experiment
An experiment was recently carried out by manufacturers of mobile devices, the purpose of which is to find out the effect of the presence or absence of a protective film on a smartphone screen 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 unnecessary accessory that can be saved on.
The experiment was based on the 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 damages.
- Smartphone with protective film installed
As part of the experiment, for half a year, the device was equipped 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 assessed by experts as ideal.
- Smartphone without 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 a while, scratches began to appear on the screen, which were even invisible to a common man in the street and, in general, did not worsen the appearance of the smartphone.
After the experiment expired, noticeable damage appeared on the screen, caused by the contact of the phone with metal objects. In general, the resulting scratches did not affect the operation of the smartphone, but the appearance deteriorated significantly. Considering that a screen protector 100% protects the glass from damage, it is better to spend some money to keep its original appearance.
Where to buy protective films or tempered glass?
You can buy film or glass in any store that sells accessories for your phone. However, they often significantly overstate the price there, and in order to save money, it is better to choose a suitable option in online stores (for example, on - 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 on Aliexpress at once and save money at the same time. Fortunately, the film costs nothing at all 5-7 dollars for 10 pieces.
Update 07.09.2015
In the comments, they wrote that protective glasses are not needed and that in the event of a fall, the display will crack anyway. A couple of photos:
OnePlus One - crashed when dropped from a height of about 1.3-1.5m
Xiaomi MiPad - I still don't understand why the protective glass cracked.
Will break | will crack the protective glass for $ 3-8 or the display of your device - it's up to you!
