Screen protectors

How to choose a screen protector

Replacing a screen costs many times more than the protector that prevents the damage. Three things matter: the exact model, the coverage and how it goes on.

• The exact model. Glass is cut for one model — the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro have different cut-outs. Pick your model in the filter, not just the brand.
• Full cover or 2.5D. Full Cover reaches the edge of the screen and leaves a black border; 2.5D has rounded edges and sits happily under a case.
• Alignment frame. An applicator or EasyAligner places the glass straight for you — it is the one thing that actually prevents bubbles and a crooked fit.
• Privacy glass. Narrows the viewing angle so the screen is only readable head-on. On a bus or a plane the person next to you sees a black rectangle.
• Camera protection. Separate glass over the lenses — the camera block sticks out the most and is the first thing to get scratched.

Glass or film

Tempered glass is rigid, feels as slippery as the screen itself and shatters instead of it. Film is thinner and flexible, which suits curved screens and tablets; a matte PaperFilm-style film gives a paper-like surface for drawing with a stylus.

Related categories

See also smartphones, phone cases, tablets and smartwatches.

Frequently asked questions

Does glass interfere with the fingerprint reader? Not on phones with an in-display reader — these protectors are built for it. Re-record the fingerprint after fitting.

Will the glass fit under a case? 2.5D always does. Edge-to-edge full cover can catch on the lip of a thick case — choose a case friendly version then.

The glass cracked — is the phone damaged? No, that is the point: the impact energy goes into breaking the glass. Replace the protector, the screen is fine.

Does privacy glass dim the screen? Slightly — narrowing the viewing angle costs some brightness. Head-on the difference is small.