Do I need a protective film? Does the protective film ruin the appearance of your phone? Do modern devices need a protective film?

How do you protect the screen of your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s? Until recently, Apple did not say a word about the existence of protective films and protective glass for their smartphones, although they exist and are popular. Accessory only after the appearance of the oleophobic coating. However, I propose to forget about those films and glasses that use iPhone owners 5s and older models. Do owners need film? new iPhones, which, quite obviously, are not intended for gluing it.

For the first time glass appeared with rounded edges, which made life very difficult for screen protector manufacturers. Today, there are two types of screen protection for these smartphones: films and glass, which protect only the working surface, or safety glasses with a painted frame that extends onto the curved edges of the screen.

A screen protector or glass that doesn't completely cover the front of your smartphone doesn't look very attractive and, as you can imagine, isn't very effective when your phone is dropped on a corner. The second type of protective glass has another drawback. The edges of such glasses do not fit tightly to the curved edges iPhone screen, which can cause the glass to come off, especially if you use thick protective case.

All this makes us think that Apple did not create its smartphone to use protective films and glass. However, the Japanese blog MacOtakara says that Apple company partnered with accessory maker Belkin to offer sticker-on protective film directly in Apple Store.

For stickers, retail employee Apple store uses the Belkin TrueClear Pro kit. This is a special machine that allows you to glue the film quickly and efficiently. If any debris does get underneath, an Apple Store employee is required to do the procedure again for free. The cost of such a service ranges from $19 to $37 and depends on the diagonal of the smartphone screen, the thickness and material of the protective film.

Protective films became popular in the late 2000s, when they began to appear on store shelves touch smartphones. But now the need for stickers of such films looks very doubtful. After all modern devices- these are not those pieces of plastic with fragile glass on the front panel. Let's figure out whether it's worth sticking something on a brand new smartphone now.

First, let's remember how history developed mobile devices. For a while Cell Phones did not have any screen, and therefore there was nothing to protect. And if the first device had fallen on the asphalt, the road surface would have cracked rather than damaged the phone.

Later, the size of mobile phones decreased, and the LCD display moved from monochrome to color. But nothing has changed - most phones successfully withstood external influences. If scratches appeared on the glass, they did not bother the owner at all. There were two reasons for this:

The screen did not occupy the largest area of the front panel; it was much more important appearance keyboard and other parts of the case;
The cost of a mobile phone was becoming lower and lower, which made it possible to replace it almost at any time. old device on new.

At the end of the 2000s, completely unexpectedly, push-button Cell phones began to yield to sensory analogues. Smartphones also gradually began to switch to touch control. As a result, the keyboard was almost completely replaced. If there were any controls under the screen, they were represented by only three or four buttons. And they soon became sensory. From now on, most of the front panel was occupied by the screen. Of course, glass was applied on top of the LCD display itself - sometimes with an air gap, sometimes without it. But glass was the most common, and in some cases transparent plastic was used. It was possible to break such glass without any difficulty, especially if there was air under it. And it was completely impossible to carry a phone in the same pocket with keys, since it immediately showed deep scratches. At this moment, a new accessory appeared in stores: protective film to a smartphone.

Do modern devices need a protective film?

What has changed in seven or eight years? A lot, actually. Standard glass now covers only the front panels of the cheapest Chinese smartphones, whose names no one remembers. If the cost of the device exceeds 5,000 rubles, then its display must be covered with special protected glass. He is being released Corning, Asahi and some other companies. It is tempered, making it very difficult to damage such glass even on purpose.

But in fact, the answer to the question “Do I need protective film?” not so clear cut. The fact is that safety glasses are divided into generations. Initially, the same company Corning produced very unreliable first-generation Gorilla Glass.

And if in your hands there is very old smartphone, then it makes sense to buy and stick protective film still exists.

Well, now devices are coming off the assembly lines that are equipped with protective glass of one of the most last generations. He is not afraid of the metals from which keys are made. And some glasses have no consequences even after using a kitchen knife!

Note: glass is not designed to withstand falls from great heights. But film will not help in such cases.

There is one material that protective glass is still afraid of. This is sand. If you are going to the beach, it is better to put your smartphone in your bag, taking it out only in case of urgent need.

Sand easily leaves scratches on any device. It is in such cases that the film comes to the rescue - after a trip to the beach, you can remove it, getting rid of any scratches.

Which is better: film or glass?

Any protective film is a piece of very thin plastic with varying degrees of transparency. It is the minimum thickness that allows it to be flexible. But now another accessory is gaining popularity: protective glass. At first, users asked the question: “Why do we need additional protective glass if the smartphone already has it?” Time has shown that there is sense in using such an accessory. In some cases, he saves from falling by taking the blow himself. But this does not happen in 100% of cases - sometimes the screen still receives some damage.

Another question is which is better: glass or film? It all depends on how actively you use your device.

If your smartphone regularly falls on a hard surface, then you need to get glass, since film does not protect against this.

But at the same time, you may encounter not the most best job sensor, since glass is thicker than any film. If you are very afraid of this, then it is better to opt for film, or do without a protective accessory altogether.

It should be noted that there is universal film, which needs to be cut according to a specific pattern, as a result of which it will be suitable for your smartphone. This is true for little-known models for which separate accessories are not available. In the case of glass, this trick will not work, because it cannot be cut. Therefore, you can easily find glass for sale for iPhone, many models from Samsung, Huawei, HTC, etc. But if you have some rare device at your disposal, then there is a high probability that you will not find glass for it. And practice shows that it would be precisely such devices that would benefit from additional protection. Read more about protective glasses for smartphones you will read in a separate article.

Which film is better: matte or glossy?

At the end of the 20th century, we regularly printed photographs. Usually at such moments we chose not only the size of the photo, but also the type of photo paper. It's about the same story with films - they come in matte and glossy. Let's consider the main advantages and disadvantages of such surfaces.

Matte film:

It is much more difficult to leave fingerprints on it;
Almost complete absence sun glare.

The image becomes slightly grainier.

Glossy film:

The picture is practically not distorted, its brightness is reduced by only 1%;
This film is much easier to find on sale.

Sun glare may appear;
Fingerprints are clearly visible on the gloss.

Additional explanations are unnecessary here. All you have to do is decide which shortcomings are less significant for you, after which you can go to the store to make a purchase. Note that expensive glossy films have a special coating at their disposal (in the manner of an oleophobic one), as a result of which fingerprints accumulate a little more slowly.

Summarizing

Be that as it may, any protective film for a smartphone screen has a number of disadvantages. You will have to come to terms with them. But it’s better just not to buy such an accessory. Especially if you have it in stock good smartphone, released in 2015 or later. You can safely put it in the same pocket with your keys; this will not affect its appearance at all.

Modern smartphones are equipped with high-quality protective glass. Most of the latest flagships feature durable Gorilla Glass (in currently the fourth generation is available) or sapphire crystal. Is it worth adding additional protective coating? And if additional protection is needed, then which of these two means should you choose: glass or film?

Why the screen of modern smartphones needs additional protection

The displays of flagship gadgets are protected from scratches much better than the first phone models with plastic or regular glass. To assess how reliable the protection has become, let’s give a few numbers.

The hardness of ordinary glass on the Mohs scale is no more than 5 units.
The hardness of the metal is 5.5, which allows keys or a knife to leave scratches on the screen of a phone with regular glass.
The hardness of fourth generation Gorilla Glass is about 6 units (according to some sources - 6.5H). He is not afraid of metal objects.

But the strength of quartz, the main element of ordinary sand, is 7 on the Mohs scale. Is it any wonder that scratches even on the most durable protective coating screens become noticeable over time?

The second aspect of the problem is the smartphone falling to the floor. It is especially dangerous if the gadget has fallen face down. In this case, the expensive display and touchscreen unit must be replaced. And you are left without a phone for a period of from a week to 1.5 months. Exact time required for replacement depends on the availability of spare screens for your gadget model in service center. The wait for new models, of which there are still few in Russia, may be seriously delayed.

Protective film for smartphone

A special film can protect your phone glass from scratches. It is made of a fairly durable polymer that does not collapse upon contact with metal keys and other blunt metal objects.

Advantages of protective films for smartphones:

Low price. Manufacturers offer to purchase them in sets of 3-10 pieces per package. As soon as one fails, you stick on a new one.
Ideal size for popular phone models. For example, in Novosibirsk you can buy in our online store.
Reliably protect the screen from scratches during everyday use.
No special skills are required to apply stickers to your phone. The adhesive layer is covered with a special technological film. Clean the display from dirt, remove the technological layer and glue the film.

Protective glass for smartphone

Tempered glass - another one modern way Protect your gadget screen from scratches. During production, it is heated to 600 °C and then cooled. It does strained glass very durable, up to 9 units on the Mohs scale. In theory, it can only be scratched with a diamond, the hardest mineral. Let us remember that sand has a hardness of only 7H, which does not allow it to leave scratches on such a protective coating.

If films only prevent scratches, then protective glasses can also help if the gadget falls on the floor. The additional hardened coating breaks, but the display itself remains intact.

Advantages of safety glasses:

The price is 8-10 times less than the cost of replacing a display with a touchscreen.
Protect your display from scratches and falls. The additional coating breaks, but saves the expensive screen unit.
Possibility to order in Novosibirsk, Meizu of other models, precisely adjusted to the size of the phone, the location of its holes for the camera and speaker.
They do not spoil the image on the screen and do not reduce the brightness of colors. Moreover, some manufacturers claim that colors become more saturated.

How to stick glass on a smartphone

The sticker is made in four stages.

First, you remove all dirt from the display. To do this, the kit includes two napkins: wet and dry.

Now we remove the technological film.

And glue the tempered glass onto the smartphone.

We remove air bubbles from under it for better fastening.

For questions regarding the selection and purchase of protective films and glass in Novosibirsk, please contact the managers of the SibDroid store. They will give professional advice and select suitable protection for your phone model.

To protect or not to protect – that is the question on which opinions are divided. Some, in a fit of concern for their favorite device, protect it with film and a case, while others do not recognize any “upgrades” and rely on modern technologies, Gorilla Glass type. Each choice is correct and user-friendly in its own way.

If you want to maintain the good appearance of your favorite device and not worry about which side to put it on the table, or, having hastily put your smartphone in your pocket, remember that there are already keys and pennies there, a protective film will not be superfluous. Also, protecting the display will be useful for girls and women who like to wear earrings; in this case, the screen may get scratched during a conversation.

In this article we will talk about the types of protective films and consider the best of them, but first, let's answer frequently asked questions that arise when deciding “Is it worth gluing the film?”

Does the protective film ruin the appearance of your phone?

Modern materials and technologies for the production of ultra-thin films make them almost invisible on the device; in order to see whether the protective film on the smartphone is of good quality, you need to take a very close look.

Does the film affect the sensitivity of the touch screen?

The applied protective film does not have any effect on sensitivity touch display. Of course, after gluing you will tactilely feel the difference, but the film will not affect the control and response of the touch screen.

What if there are traces left after removing the protective film?

Modern films are made from silicone-based polymer materials. This means that the film is simply “overlaid” on the screen and sticks to it, not due to the adhesive, but due to the physical properties of the polymer. Thus, even after several years of using the screen with film, when removed, not a trace will remain of it.

Today on the market there is great amount protective films various types, so you can purchase a protective film for your device that best suits your needs. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the types of films most widely represented in stores across the country.

Advantages of glossy films:

almost invisible on the device screen;
provide high-quality color rendition;
maintain screen brightness;
hide well small scratches, which managed to appear on the display surface when using the device without film;
protect the device from new damage.

Matte (anti-glare) protective films

Advantages of matte films:

The finger glides better over matte films, making it easier to control the device;
fingerprints are almost invisible;
scratch resistant;
anti-glare films allow you to use the device with complete comfort in any lighting, even in bright sun, since the light beam is scattered when it hits matte surface protective film and does not create glare or reflections.

Advantages of shockproof films:

high degree of screen protection from mechanical damage and reducing the risk of cracks due to strong impacts
The sensitivity and brightness of the screen is maintained at almost the initial level, since the thickness of the shockproof films is not much thicker than standard ones.

Shockproof protective films come in glossy or matte finishes.

We would also like to tell you about minor shortcomings that arise when using a device with a protective film. For example, glossy films cause a slight glare on the display, and fingerprints are also visible on them. Matte films, due to their anti-glare properties, contribute to a slight decrease in the contrast of the display and the appearance of a slight grainy effect, which becomes noticeable against a white background.

But progress does not stand still. Technological films began to appear that combine best features glossy, matte shockproof film models, as well as some properties of modern displays (with oleophobic coating). The American company SGP has interesting accessories of this kind. Let's tell you more about best films SGP:

The film is somewhere between transparent and matte. It has virtually no effect on image quality, has significantly less glare (compared to conventional glossy film) and does not collect fingerprints thanks to special microchannels.

– glossy film with a special oleophobic (anti-oil, grease-repellent) coating that prevents fingerprints and keeps the display clean. At the same time, the film is absolutely transparent and so thin that you need to look closely to notice it on a smartphone.

- a crystal clear and ultra-thin glossy film that is ideal for people who do not want to feel or see it on their device at all. It has a special coating that prevents the light from creating a rainbow effect, anti-reflective coating allows you to use the gadget comfortably even on a bright sunny day, and thanks to the special silicone layer, the film can be easily applied without bubbles.

SGP Oleophobic Coated Tempered Glass Series “Glass T”– unique shockproof protective film. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that this powerful protective glass is only 0.4 mm thick! In addition to its protective properties, the film also has an oleophobic coating that prevents fingerprints. And most importantly, it perfectly protects against mechanical damage. Even if the device falls with its screen on a hard surface, nothing will happen to it, because “Glass T” will take the blow, which is very IMPORTANT for expensive Chinese devices, for example, the Keneksi Teta Black smartphone. After all, repairing Chinese equipment is not cheap, if it is even possible!

In addition to SGP, there are a number of companies that know how to protect devices with high quality - these are Ozaki, Capdase, Moshi, GelaSkins, Nillkin and others. Among them we would like to highlight the Polish company MyScreen. Their MyScreenPROTECTOR series of protective films is already actively used by thousands of users in European countries. Distinctive feature MyScreen films are laser-cut technology, which ensures better adherence to the walls of the device and long term film services.

In stores across the country, MyScreen films are presented in a wide range (glossy, matte, with antibacterial and oleophobic coating) for the most popular models Samsung smartphones, HTC, Sony, Lenovo, Nokia, as well as iPhone.

Smartphones aren't cheap, and you've probably spent hundreds of dollars on one. And the more expensive our device, the more carefully we treat it. After all, in essence, we are investing money in a product that can be resold through certain time, and a phone “worn by life” is unlikely to arouse interest among a potential buyer. And for the owner himself, you will agree that it is much more pleasant to use a device that looks like new for a long time.

There are several ways to protect your phone from unwanted damage. As a rule, these are all kinds of covers and protective films. I would like to dwell on the latter in more detail. Many of you are familiar with them firsthand and even use them currently. They are quite cheap and create an additional layer of protection between the smartphone screen and the brutal outside world, who is trying in every possible way to destroy him.

And yet I do not use protective films. Why you ask? Well, for several reasons. Firstly, I am very annoyed by the sticking process itself, and I am wildly indignant at the sight of air bubbles and dust particles leaking under the film. Familiar feeling, right? Secondly, I don't like the tactile feel of the film-protected screen. Believe me, even the most expensive film can change your experience with the device not only better side. Either of these, over time, causes content on the screen to appear less crisp and clear than if you were looking at an unprotected display. This comes from the constant interaction of the film with natural and other fats from our fingers. And finally, I just don't feel like I need it. After all, phone manufacturers used specially developed materials for screens, which in most cases are very difficult to scratch.

Engineers all over the world use the concept of material hardness. To classify materials by hardness, various tests, based on the ability of certain materials to influence each other, and in our case, with phone screens, to scratch each other. In general, in theory, a harder material cannot be scratched by a softer one. Usually smartphones these days have protective glass and usually it is Gorilla Glass. According to Corning specifications, Gorilla Glass 3 has a hardness of 534 - 649 kgf/mm2. This value can be compared to the hardness of tempered steel and means that objects such as household knives, keys or coins are unlikely to scratch the display. In addition to increased hardness, Gorilla Glass uses a special so-called oleophobic coating that reduces its ability to collect fingerprints.

Actually there is limited number materials with which the phone screen comes into contact that can scratch it. By adopting a simple strategy for handling your mobile device, you can avoid scratches without resorting to protective films.
This is what I do. Every piece of my clothing has a “designated” pocket in which I carry my phone, and I know for sure that nothing but it will go there. This can be either a pocket of trousers or jeans, or any internal pocket in outerwear.
The main culprit behind the appearance of scratches on the screens of not only smartphones, but also watches is sand. Sand itself is a product of mechanical weathering of rocky soils, and grains of sand, as a rule, consist of the most unweathered particles, mainly quartz, which is used in glass production. As they say, I found a scythe on a stone. If you live on the coast or are just on vacation at the seaside, then you should get a small plastic container to store your phone when visiting the beach. I agree that the “naked option” of carrying phones is not for everyone. Maybe you are a sea rescuer or a builder, and your work takes place in an environment of “unfriendly” materials.

This article was not written to discourage everyone from using mobile device protection, but only to raise awareness. I see a lot of people around who, almost on a subconscious level, feel a manic need for the screens of their smartphones. Believe me, companies have already spent a lot of time and money on research to make your phone's glass more durable and scratch-resistant. And I hope the information and tips above will help you save some money and the hassle of using screen protectors.

What do you think about it? Are you able to do without protective films on the screens of your devices? Tell us in the comments about your strategy for avoiding scratches on displays.