Select iPhone protection. What is better - glass or film for iPhone? Protective glass or film - which is better for your phone screen?

The screen of a smartphone is the most important and at the same time the most fragile part of it. It can get scratched by simply lying in your pocket next to your keys or falling on the sand. To prevent such situations, there are screen protectors: films or glass for the screen.

Why protect your screen with film or glass?

Replacing the display on Apple devices is a rather tricky procedure, but on Samsung it is very unprofitable.

On Android devices, especially cheap ones, stabbing and scratching the display is even more disadvantageous. So, for a simple Samsung Galaxy J1 worth 6 thousand rubles, a display module with a touchscreen will cost 3,200 rubles - more than half the cost of the phone. To prevent such unpleasant expenses, it is better to use a screen protector.

Currently, the most popular protectors are made of plastic film or chemically treated tempered glass. Both can effectively protect the screen from scratches, cracks, chips, paint stains and other damage, but there are differences.

What is the difference between glass and screen film?

The glass protector is much more difficult to scratch.

• Appearance. Glass protectors look clunkier than film protectors because they are thicker. This is especially noticeable on sleek devices like the iPhone 7 or HTC One.
• Easy to install. Incredible but true: glass is easier to glue than film. If you have glued a film protector, then you know how difficult it is to do it smoothly and without air bubbles. We even wrote a whole instruction about this -!

Overall, the choice between film or glass for the screen is a choice between aesthetics and protection. If you are generally careful with your device and are only bothered by scratches and fingerprints, choosing a film will be a smarter choice. But if you often drop your device, but don’t want to change screens every now and then, it makes sense to purchase more durable glass.

Modern smartphones differ little from each other (especially when compared with the diversity of the pre-iPhone era). They all look like bars with a huge screen, which manufacturers are now trying to expand to the entire front panel. Perhaps soon even a mid-range smartphone will look like today's iPhone X, Essential Phone or Xiaomi Mi Mix.

However, this only enhances their main vulnerability - the display. So far, only one company has boasted that it has made an “indestructible” screen - Motorola, but the Moto X Force smartphone did not become a hit. Samsung models from the Edge series, which are very fragile due to their “faceted” screens, are much better buys. This means that manufacturers will not take care of the safety of glass for us. We'll have to do it ourselves. The most common means of screen protection are films and glass. Let's try to figure out what is better - film or glass for a phone, and what the choice factors may be.

Screen protection films

It would seem, what can be said about the film? Almost all smartphones come with a transport film, and sometimes it doesn’t even have images - that is, it is not necessary to remove it right away. The protective film is glued to the screen in the same way.

What does it protect against? Primarily from minor scratches. Although some users claim that their smartphone fell with the display down, and the film saved it from breaking, we doubt this. Apparently, even without the film nothing would have happened to him. But the film takes care of scratches that spoil the appearance of the smartphone.

Another benefit of film is changing screen parameters. The film can be equipped with a polarizing or matte layer. A screen with such a film becomes either unreadable for neighbors or much less sensitive to sunlight, and then it is more pleasant and easier to work with even on the sunniest day. However, the most affordable films are still glossy, and the picture from their stickers does not improve.

In principle, it is not difficult to stick the film on your own. To do this you need:

1. Buy film for your screen. Nowadays there are protective films for sale for almost all popular phone models. The shape and size of the film takes into account even such complex aspects as the second screen of LG or HTC smartphones or the bending of 2.5D glass.
2. Find a clean, dust-free room to work in.
3. Wipe the screen thoroughly with a dry cloth. Some people recommend spraying water from a spray bottle on it immediately before gluing the film.
4. Remove the protective layer from the film and accurately place it on the phone screen.
5. Gently expel air bubbles out, smoothing the film with the edge of a bank card or a special napkin.

This process requires precision: as a rule, it is impossible to tear off the film and re-glue it. On the other hand, worn film is easy to remove, and the screen remains clean after this procedure. Some users can change the film on their phones dozens of times, and it's worth it.

Glass for screen protection

An alternative solution for protection is glass. Yes, it really is glass, although it looks more like a thick film. Previously, such glass undergoes complex processing, which makes it thin (about 0.3 mm), transparent and flexible. No, it does not affect either the sensitivity of the display or the quality of the picture - if we are talking about high-quality glass.

In fact, glass (if you look at it) can consist of as many as five layers:

• Decorative and protective. This layer is located on the outside and is responsible for the safety of both the screen under the glass and the glass itself.
• Basic. Actually glass.
• Anti-glare. Thanks to this layer, your screen in the sun stops acting like a mirror and begins to show the picture much more clearly and brightly.
• Bonding. This layer is responsible for strong adhesion between the screen and glass.
• Silicone. A soft layer that directly touches the smartphone screen, thanks to which the glass does not leave a mark on the display.

Unlike film, glass can protect the smartphone screen not only from minor scratches, but also from cracks upon impact (but, alas, unlikely from compression or bending). This often turns out to be a lifesaver for the phone, especially if the glass has good mechanical strength. We recommend choosing glass with the 9H marking - it guarantees the highest quality and excellent protective properties. As for anti-reflective properties, they manifest themselves differently in different glasses, so it’s worth looking at the markings of each specific model.

Gluing glass to a smartphone is approximately the same as film, with one pleasant difference: if you initially positioned the glass slightly incorrectly, you can tear it off the screen and quickly glue it again, this time correctly. Although, if you are not confident in your abilities, you should contact a specialist from a communication store - it will be more reliable, no matter whether you want to stick film or glass.

Making a choice

And yet, what is better – film or glass for a smartphone? It would seem that glass is superior to film in all respects. It is stronger, provides better protection, has the same optical properties and does not affect the sensitivity of the display.

However, there are two points that may prompt you to choose film for your device:

1. Protective glass does not exist for all devices. So, for smartphones with rounded screens (so-called 2.5D), ordinary glass is not suitable: they will come off at the edges. Glass for the Samsung Edge series is produced by fairly well-known manufacturers (for example, Drobak), but users are often dissatisfied with their properties. So if your device has a curved screen, finding the right glass for it can be difficult.
2. Glass is noticeably more expensive than films, sometimes by several times. Especially when we are talking about accessories for an expensive smartphone, which themselves cost a significant amount of money.

Thus, in general, glass is better, but there are cases when you have to choose film. Whatever you choose, we wish you that your choice will pay off and provide your smartphone with a long life!

Before you apply the protective film, let's figure it out: Do you need a protective film on your 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 displays, which is easily scratched and literally after a week you will notice that the smartphone screen is covered in micro-scratches.

The latter use tempered glass, which is not so easy to scratch, but it is possible.
As is 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 additional stickers. layers that you must peel off before you apply the protective film to your smartphone.

There are several types of films:
a) universal ones, which you must cut yourself according to the shape of your display.
b) special films for your smartphone.

The films also differ in quality:

• Cheap ones - made of a stiffer polymer and a rough exterior. It is difficult to remove fingerprints from such film. The finger slides along it reluctantly.

• Branded - made with higher quality. The outer side of the film is made of a softer polymer on which the finger glides perfectly and stains are wiped off without problems.

They are supplied in branded packaging with additional “buns” in the form of microfiber, stickers and are exclusively designed for specific models (that is, not universal).

Tempered glass is nothing more than ordinary glass that has been processed using 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 glass is much harder than regular 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 stains (not always).

There are many different companies on the market specializing in the production of tempered protective glasses for smartphones. Depending on the thickness and strength of the glass, its price varies.
Currently on the market you can find protective glasses with a thickness of only 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm with a strength of 9H. 2.5D - means rounded at the ends.
If 0.3 mm glass in China costs only $3-4, then for 0.1 mm it costs no less than $8.
The thicker the glass, the cheaper it is. I’ll say right away that 0.22 mm glass is almost invisible on a smartphone. There is no point in paying twice as much for 1 mm.

Real photos of a 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 using both, 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 tempered glass you will solve the problem of an ever-dirty display forever.
  Tempered glass is very smooth and all traces can be easily wiped off with a microfiber cloth.
• Secondly, if your smartphone falls with its face (display) down, the protective glass will take the entire blow and at most you will get a broken glass of 1000 pieces.
• Thirdly, tempered glass will perfectly protect your smartphone from scratches.
• Fourthly, replacing broken glass is cheaper than replacing the entire display + touchscreen.
  The fact is that in new smartphones, display manufacturers combine the display and touchscreen into one whole (OGS technology - One Glass Solution). This significantly improves the quality of the transmitted image, but if the touchscreen is cracked, everything will have to be replaced together, which significantly increases costs.

If earlier the touchscreen could be replaced separately by paying 10-20 dollars, now you will have to pay at least 45 dollars, and sometimes as much as 100 dollars.

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 had glued tempered glass, then this outcome could have been avoided...

Update 04/28/2015 OnePlus One:

You can read how to properly stick film or glass.

Experiment

Manufacturers of mobile devices recently conducted an experiment, the purpose of which was to find out the effect of the presence or absence of a protective film on the smartphone screen on its functioning. The fact is that many users do not attach much importance to this detail and believe that a protective film on glass is an extra accessory on which they can save money.

The experiment was based on the Lenovo P780 smartphone, since it is the most popular and modern device in its category. As a result, data was obtained allowing us to conclude that additional screen protection is necessary, which can protect against many damages.

• Smartphone with protective film installed

As part of the experiment, the device had a protective film for six months, 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 installed protective film

During the second half of the year, the protective film on the glass was not installed, so the device was used carelessly and without complying with safety requirements. After some time, scratches began to appear on the screen, which were not even noticeable to the average person and generally did not deteriorate the appearance of the smartphone.
At the end of the experiment, noticeable damage appeared on the screen caused by the phone coming into contact with metal objects. In general, the resulting scratches did not affect the operation of the smartphone, but the appearance was significantly deteriorated. Considering that the protective film 100% protects the glass from damage, it is better to spend some money to preserve its original appearance.

Where to buy protective films or tempered glass?

You can purchase film or glass at any store that sells phone accessories. However, they often significantly inflate the price 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 at once on Aliexpress and save money. Fortunately, the film costs nothing at all: 5-7 dollars for 10 pieces.

Update 09/07/2015

In the comments they wrote that protective glass is not needed and that if it falls, the display will crack in any case. 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 | whether the protective glass for $3-8 or the display of your device cracks - it’s up to you!

Glossy film.

At the same time, the sensitivity, color and brightness of the display are maintained.

This screen protection option is considered more modern. It is obtained chemically from tempered glass. It is harder and thicker than regular film, so it can provide protection not only from scratches and fingerprints, but also from impacts and even moisture.

If the liquid spreads, then the coating is damaged or absent altogether.

Protective glass or film? What is better - we continue to figure it out. So, the film is pasted, and now it’s time to install the glass.

Now that the brand new device has just been taken out of the box, it needs to be protected from all sorts of dangers. To do this, a case is put on the case, and a protective glass or film is glued to the display. Which one is better will be discussed below.

But that's all later.

After that, we glue the accessory back in the same way.

If you do the work “on your knees” and with dirty hands, it will not be easy to achieve positive results.

The thickness of the glass (0.25-0.50 mm) is explained by its multi-layer nature. Typically, the first layer is made of silicone to adhere tightly to the screen. Next comes the fastening layer, which prevents fragments from scattering in the event of a violation of the integrity of the glass. The third layer is anti-reflective, its task is to maintain the visibility of the image in bright light. A protective layer will save you from impacts, falls and other types of damage.

Everything needs to be done quickly, as the product dries instantly. It is advisable to repeat the procedure the next day.

However, you can correct the situation with the disappearance of the oleophobic layer. For such cases, special oleophobic coating kits are sold. The kit includes a soft substance and cloths for its application and distribution.

The situation with glass is different. First of all, it has a protective layer that should protect against accidental falls or impacts. There is also an oleophobic coating that repels dirt from the display. Just wipe with a cloth.

Mirror film.

Therefore, before sticking, you need to remove the first sticker, holding the film by the sides.

And now, in continuation of the topic of what is better - glass or film on a phone, let's figure out what types of soft plastic are found.

Summarizing.

There is no need to consider screen film as some kind of high-tech product. They learned how to produce plastic a long time ago, but it was simply not needed for such purposes. Typically, films have three layers, and the topmost layer provides protection.

You need to stick the film on a clean surface, so the next step is cleaning the display. It is necessary to carefully inspect the screen, it must be perfectly clean. After all, dust, specks, fingerprints and other types of contamination will eventually manifest themselves in the form of bubbles. A special cleaner for wiping LCD screens and the aforementioned microfiber cloth are suitable here. Just please, no alcohol.

The beauty of this process is that it is non-irritating. There is no need to rub the display until it shines, removing the slightest particles from it, or tear off the accessory several times to remove bubbles. It will be enough to simply wipe the screen with a soft cloth, and you can begin installation.

It is advisable to start gluing from the side where it will be more difficult to align. For example, this could be the location of the "Home" button, which many devices have. After this, you need to use a plastic card to move to the top of the smartphone.

Regardless of what you choose - protective film or glass for your phone, each option will have to be made friends with the display. Therefore, it is necessary to know how this is done. And the film will be tested first.

You should also take workplace preparation seriously. You should sit comfortably, preferably at a table, remove all unnecessary objects and be sure to wash your hands. This is a very important point.

True, there are also disadvantages - glossy film can be very reflective, gets scratched quickly and really likes to collect fingerprints.

Film or glass on an iPhone or any other mobile device is usually glued using special objects that simplify the process. In this case, you will need the following things: a plastic card, a microfiber cloth, display cleaning liquid and a lot of patience.

Before you start cleaning the glass, it is advisable to first check its integrity. To do this, you can pour a little water on its surface. And if it starts to form into drops, then everything is normal.

As for this type of film, it is no less popular. Its main advantage is that it is able to absorb glare and hide fingerprints. But this is all her merit. Due to its unusual structure, image deterioration is often observed.

Many people, thinking about what is better - film or glass for a smartphone, settle on this option. It is suitable for those who value practicality first of all, because as far as the protective function is concerned, it is fulfilled. By dressing your device with such an accessory, you can be sure that the image quality will not suffer.

Here you need to set your priorities correctly. Film is cheaper, varies in texture and can last for several months if used carefully. But it will not protect against serious damage, and it can be quite difficult to stick it on.

Glass, in turn, has an impact-resistant layer, a grease-repellent coating, can last a couple of years, and its installation leaves only a pleasant impression. But in appearance this accessory is not particularly different; its oleophobic coating requires proper care, and its price is much higher than the cost of the film. Look like that's it.

Glass or film for the phone? Let's continue to figure it out. As already noted, the film is softer than glass, which means its service life is shorter.

It's time to choose what's right - a protective film or a protective glass for your smartphone.

That's all. Protection is installed.

Unlike previous samples, mirror plastic does not often become the protector of displays. Its peculiarity is that it can reflect objects, i.e. turns the turned off screen into a mirror. But, like matte film, this accessory can also distort the image.

But such a coating wears out over time, this is inevitable. True, if you care for it properly, it will last longer.

Protective glass or film, it doesn’t matter, has a sticky surface with which they come into contact with the display. To prevent dirt from getting on them, the accessories are covered with special stickers. And the film is usually protected on both sides.

Difficulty in gluing the film.

Is it worth caring?

Next, the glass is freed from the protective sticker and applied to the device’s display so that the holes for the speaker and the “Home” button are in their places. In this case, it is advisable to hold the glass by the sides, slightly bending the edges upward. It should be taken into account that the glass is up to 0.5 mm thick, due to which it may stand out a little from the background of the device’s body. Then you can correct the situation by rounding the edges using some small grinding tool.

So, there are three main types of such films: glossy, matte and mirror. Why so many types? After all, in essence, this accessory is a small piece of transparent plastic, what are there to choose from?

Despite the fact that modern phones have long been equipped with reliable and durable displays, you still want to somehow secure your device. However, hyper-accuracy awakens to all new things. Only after a while, when you get used to them a little, do you begin to love them less. Same with smartphones. Time passes - and they are already thrown, and not put down, they often sit down and put down cups of coffee.

In this regard, it is easier with glass. There is nothing to choose here, because in structure they are approximately the same. Only the name and manufacturer differ.

You may be the neatest person in the world, but your iPhone display will eventually get scratches and chips. The chances increase if you do not blow dust off your smart device - you drop it, put the display on the table, next to your keys, hairpins or coins. Protective films and glass will help to avoid these problems. Which one to choose?

I have never hit or scratched the screens of my gadgets. But I, like most of you, have friends who, in the first weeks after buying an iPhone, caught their first scratch, “dot” or microcrack in the corner. But the problem could have been solved much simpler: buy film or glass to protect the display. That's all.

It is much more difficult to answer the question of which is better - film or glass?

Film. Versatile choice

Film– a high-strength accessory made of thermoplastic polyurethane. The degree of protection of the smartphone from impacts depends on its plasticity. Modern film can prevent not only minor scratches, but also moderately hide fingerprints. Some models are capable of more: for example, they remove sun glare or prevent the passage of UV rays.

Very affordable option display protection. The main disadvantage of “films” is very weak, purely nominal protection against impacts. No matter how “shockproof” it is, the film will not ensure the integrity of the display module in the event of a serious fall.

Spigen Screen Protector Steinheil Curved Crystal for iPhone 6 (SGP11299)

More recently, films with slightly curved edges. They are specially created for iPhone 6 owners and solve the most important visual problem: their edges are not visible on the glass frame. If you have the opportunity to buy such a film, we warmly recommend it.

Protective film Remax HD High Definition Protection for iPhone 6 glossy

This is a "protector" High Quality. The surface of the film does not produce glare, and the anti-ultraviolet coating prevents its passage, protecting the iPhone display from exposure to UV rays.

Spigen Screen Protector Steinheil LCD Film Ultra Crystal for iPhone 6 (SGP10928)

This film consists of 4 thin layers. The top one is an oleophobic coating, the second one is protection against scratches and abrasions during daily use of the iPhone 6. The optical base is made of Japanese premium PET material. Secured maximum transparency and clarity of the picture from the display.

Glass. Confident protection

Strained glass– a relatively modern version of display protection. It is gaining popularity due to the fact that it can protect not only from scratches, but also withstand a fall! It’s like a second life for your display: if you drop it, then in 95% of cases only the glass sticker will need to be replaced.

A good glass “protector” has high hardness, reaching up to 8-9H. In addition to impact resistance, it is no worse at resisting scratches on the surface of the smartphone. It is glass that allows you to maintain the sensitivity of the sensor, maintaining image clarity and color brightness.

The latest generations of glass also have their own oleophobic coating, which prevents the appearance of stains and fingerprints and makes the display easier to clean. Their only, but for many, key drawback is that all options will be “thicker” than regular film.

Tempered anti-reflective glass DF iBlickGlass-03 for iPhone 6 matte transparent

The surface of the DF iBlickGlass-03 tempered glass has a hardness of 9H to resist hard objects such as knife, keys and paper clips. You can safely throw it in your bag. In extreme conditions, do not forget to wear a silicone case, and then your iPhone will not be in any danger;)

Protective glass Spigen Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protector GLAS.tR SLIM for iPhone 6

The thickness of this “glass protector” model is only 0.4 mm! The rounded edges of the glass prevent chipping and ensure a tight fit to the display surface. One of the best solutions for protecting your smartphone.

Tempered protective glass DF iSteel-06 for iPhone 6 transparent

This glass provides reliable protection against scratches, shocks and even moisture. After installing it, the screen of your iPhone 6 will be reliably protected and will not lose its original appearance.

We pasted the film

At the iCases store we stuck a film on the editorial iPhone Remax HD High Definition Protection. More precisely, they bought it. And the seller himself stuck it on. There is an interesting “but” here.

Usually stores charge money for this procedure. And, most importantly, they don’t even guarantee results. If “bubbles” remain, that will be your problem. The guys from iCases glue the film or glass purchased from them absolutely free and guarantee a well-carried out procedure. Let's check...

The seller wiped the smartphone display and started gluing it up. It all took less than three minutes, and we disturbed the guy in every possible way with our cameras and comments that were not entirely relevant. Visitors looked over their shoulders curiously, and the guy coped with the task perfectly. Personally, I couldn’t do this even at home. And I wouldn’t try: you’ll ruin the film and that’s it, buy a new one...

Question of price

The difference between glass and film is not only impact resistance, but also price. Glass is more expensive than films times twice.

Think for yourself. Is it worth paying more but potentially saving on major renovations? Replacing the display is not cheap. On the other hand, the film will protect no worse from ordinary scratches and will not protrude much above the body. The total schedule is as follows.

Film available, provides protection against scratches, can remove glare and cover the entire iPhone 6 display.

Glass more expensive, gives glare, but transmits maximum light, protects against falls and cracks.