What Is a Screen Protector?

Here’s a short description of common types of screen protectors.

These screen protectors are budget-friendly and offer clarity and protection against minor scratches.

A smart phone with a cracked screen

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However, they won’t survive a fall.

TPU

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) appears in items like shoe soles and sporting goods.

These screen protectors are flexible and have excellent scratch resistance, elasticity, and toughness.

A phone with a screen protector on it

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Their softness gives them a “self-healing ability” to bounce back from minor bumps and scratches.

Arguably, they are the best types of screen protectors.

However, they’re thicker and might not fit perfectly on curved phone screens.

Some brands also come with antiglare properties and blue-light filters.

Privacy Covers

These options are made from any of the above materials.

The materials and features advertised in screen protectors don’t end here.

you’re able to also pick up options like antiglare coatings and smudge-proof oleophobic coatings.

That said, tempered glass is usually the best choice for balancing all-around benefits.

Who Should Buy a Screen Protector

You might not need a screen protector for everyday use.

But some situations warrant extra protection.

EvenApple’s Ceramic Shieldcan withstand hard falls.

But worse accidents happen, so a protective screen guard is a small price to pay.

Here are a few more reasons a screen protectors might be worth it.

Safety Against Drops

Screen protectors can significantly improve a phone’s impact resistance.

A screen protector can save you from any “passive” damage your display might suffer.

Save on Repair Costs

Touchscreens are less durableand more costly to repair.

Keep Your Privacy Under Wraps

We have talked about the utility of a privacy screen protector.

It could be critical for someone who wants tolimit the viewing angle of bystandersduring a crowded commute.

Anytime you’re in public, your data may be vulnerable to snooping.

For Aesthetic Appeal

A wide variety of screen protectors are available, includingpersonalized ones.

There can be a few more compelling reasons:

Cost Vs.

Benefit for Cheaper Smartphones

Do you get what you paid for with premium screen protectors?

For users of low-cost smartphones, a high-quality, expensive screen protector might not justify the benefits.

Also, if the screen replacement cost is comparably low, a protector might be unnecessary.

Some screen protectorsespecially those of lower qualitycan reduce the sharpness of your phone’s display.

Some screen protectors can also make the display less responsive.

But some thicker options (particularly plastic) can make things ever so slightly harder to do.

It may just be enough that you’re free to tell, but any change is unwelcome.