vB Easy Archive - So, have you scratched your glass yet?

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So, have you scratched your glass yet?
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Posted by: scaredpoet

okay, some background: I am RELIGIOUS about adding screen protection to any handheld device, even stuff without touchscreens. My Treos, my iPod, my Blackjack, all of them have WriteRight or some other clear-flim screen overlay to guard against scratching.

ANd, when I got my iPhone yesterday, I had kept the film that comes overlaid on the screen on it, until I realized that it severely and almost completely blocks sound from the built in earpiece. While I almost exclusively use a bluetooth headset (I'm also fastidious about face-gunk), there are times where I know the headset might not be at hand or the battery might out in which case I have to use my phone the old-fashioned way and put it to my ear. So begrudgingly, I took off the plastic film.

But now I wonder: should I put some sort of screen protection on my iPhone?

This is the first handheld I've used with a real-glass face, which I would presume would make it even more resistant to the dust-based and other-use wear and scratches that easily plague plastic devices. And hopefully, being glass, nothing short of diamonds or heavy abuse that not even a screen protector would guard against will damage the screen.

But before I leave my screen naked for the log haul, I ask: has anyone scratched their screen yet?

Thanks!

Posted by: SuperQ

THis is my 2nd iphone and neither glass has ever s een the touch of human skin. I always always put a screen protector film on any handheld electronic device. For what $10-$15 bucks ($30 for the treo screen protector) you are covered no matter what. I just wouldn't take the chance of scratching a $600.00 phone when I could have prevented it with something so cheap.

Posted by: dirty water

I've been using my iPhone since the day it came out without any screen protection and it is still totally flawless.

Posted by: cowboy1964

I'm in the protector camp. Why take a chance to save $10? And I've noticed that the screen smudges less with the protector than without it. So there's another benefit.

Posted by: Gene Rayburn

PC World produced a good video just a day or so after the iPhone came out testing its durability in real-world scenarios. Even after doing such things as forcefully dragging a key across the screen and dropping it down on concrete, there was no damage (to the screen).

The only damage I've ever seen to an iPhone screen is when it actually cracks.

Posted by: Shin Akuma

They must have some kind of scratch resistant screen on there. Because its the same thing they use for ipods, and some motorola phones. Even after dropping the phone scratching and slapping across the bottom of my seat. Its still flawless.

Posted by: mrmaxmouse

The screen is made of glass, instead of the typical plastic that most cell phone screens are made of. Glass doesn't scratch in most situations. I got my iPhone on release day, never had a screen protector on it, and it's flawless.

Posted by: XanderMac

I'm in the screen protector camp. Bestskinsever for me.

Posted by: scaredpoet

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy1964

I'm in the protector camp. Why take a chance to save $10?

Actually, it's not about the $10. In fact I have a stack of fresh screen protectors at the ready and can put one on right now. It's about aesthetics, and as we all know, the iPhone is all about aesthetics.

Inevitably, a screen protector introduces bubbles and generally makes a screen look less-than-optimal, unless you have a rock-steady hand and also happen to have an industrial grade clean-room handy. I put up with it on a plastic screen because I know for sure that a permanently scratched screen from frequent styli drags and taps will not only look worse, but not function as well. But since there are no stylii with iPhones, nor any plastic to worry about, I wonder if the glass is up to to the task or if I should stick one on and just deal with people who will want to check my iPhone out, and then gawk at the bubbles.

This is always the inevitable dilemna with stuff like this, unfortunately. You spend all this money on this beautifully-designed device, and then you either risk marring it up, or making it look silly with all kinds of stickers, hiding the beauty forever.

I guess the real question is, what kind of glass is in the iPhone? is it flimsy plexiglass, heavy-duty auto-grade stuff, or something in between?

Posted by: pfreitas

I owned a Nokia 8801 for almost 2 years and it too had scratch resistant glass. I can honestly say that after 2 yrs of use/abuse, the screen was flawless the day I sold it. In the 5 days my wife has had an iphone it feels identical to the 8801's screen. I think a crack is more likely than a scratch. As someone said, the iphone is about ease of use and aesthetics and a screen protector may take away from it. Anyway, watch the aforementioned video of the screen durability and you will see that protection isn't necessary.

Posted by: shikkie

my casemate case came with a screen protector that I applied before I'd even powered my iPhone on. I got burned with one of the scratchy nano screens, and I figured worst case, if a piece of dirt gets on there w/ pressure and scratches the protector I don't care, compared to if it manages to somehow damage the screen itself. I can replace a damaged protector easily. Not quite with the screen.

Posted by: cowboy1964

My screen protector (from iqase.com) is unnoticeable unless you look very closely then you can make out the cutouts around the sensor and button. There are no bubbles. And as I said, smudging is a lot less than than with the bare glass.

Posted by: absjazz

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaredpoet

I guess the real question is, what kind of glass is in the iPhone? is it flimsy plexiglass, heavy-duty auto-grade stuff, or something in between?

The screen is made of optical quality glass, so it's one of the highest qualities out there.

Posted by: methodz

just buy the one at the apple store. totally unnoticeable unless you are looking for it on the phone. it is not like a clear sticker its more like a thin piece of glass.

the glass is scratch resistant but not scratch proof, big difference.

oh, and it is not that resistant to cracking either. my aunt just today dropped her purse. when she pulled out her iphone from her purse the screen was destroyed. looked like a bullet going through glass. the phone still works despite this though. called apple to get the repair estimate. $249 for the repair $30 for a loaner phone and $7 for shipping plus $22 in tax = $307 to replace the screen.

Posted by: methodz

^^oh, so my mom when to buy the screen protector right after she saw my aunt break hers.

would it have prevented the cracking? don't know, but i know i would spend $15 for that added protection anyways. it could possibly have saved her $307

Posted by: Maverick05

i haven't had any scratches on mine and it looks so nice without it that i'm going to chance it... it's already been in my pocket with keys and the screen's been fine. The thing i really worry about is the back. That seems like it is much more prone to scratching. I wish the same people who made that video trying to scratch the glass would do one of trying to scratch the back so i could see how strong it is.

Posted by: Roy

i swear i had 2 posts on here yesterday, anyone know why they vanished???

/offtopic

Posted by: scaredpoet

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick05

The thing i really worry about is the back. That seems like it is much more prone to scratching. I wish the same people who made that video trying to scratch the glass would do one of trying to scratch the back so i could see how strong it is.

Yeah, The brushed metal back is an issue, particularly since it appears to be a thin, soft metal. So I did buy an InCase black rubber cover (which I think looks nicer anyway). I'm actually a bit surprised that Apple stuck with metal. Most smartphone makers are going with a rubberrized finish that seems way more durable (i.e. the Motorola Q, Samsung Blackjack, and Treo 750). A rubberized casing would have also made the back look more uniform, instead of having brushed metal for 3/4 of the back, and cheap-looking black plastic at the bottom to allow the RF section to transmit and receive without interference.

In any case, I never put ANY cell phone in my pocket with anything else, ever. Especially keys. Even if it has screen protection.

As for screen protectors guarding against glass shatterring, I know that's not going to happen. If the person's mom who broke their iPhone has a screen protector on, that screen would have cracked anyway. Anyone who's shattered a Treo screen, even with a protector, knows this painfully well.

Screen protectors guard against abrasions, but will still transmit the force of shock or direct impacts. At best, a screen protector might protect YOU against cutting yourself on broken glass in such a case.

Well, this will be my first day at work making the rounds with this guy. I think after the first "shock and awe" day, after everyone's had a chance to look at it (but not touch!), I'll put a screen protector on and see how it looks.

Posted by: dohdough

[QUOTE=scaredpoet]In any case, I never put ANY cell phone in my pocket with anything else, ever. Especially keys. Even if it has screen protection.

As for screen protectors guarding against glass shatterring, I know that's not going to happen. If the person's mom who broke their iPhone has a screen protector on, that screen would have cracked anyway. Anyone who's shattered a Treo screen, even with a protector, knows this painfully well.

Posted by: Wide_opeN

I'm of the Pouch variety, reason being I have to be able to touch my phone. I mean what's the point in buying the phone of your dreams or any phone for that matter only to hide it behind some screen protector or case?

I can't stand cases of any kind, and also feel like screep protectors take away from the experience. I simply exercise EXTREME caution when handling my phones.

Posted by: hard_core

for those of you w/ film protectors

is it possible that the film is locking in the heat? i had the fellowes writeright on the front and back of my iphone and i noticed that it would get very warm w/ prolonged use (like surfing w/ wifi).

But when I took that screen off, the heat problem almost went completely away. I still feel some heat but not as much as before. Of course that may be due to the completely unsuitability of writeright.

Posted by: cowboy1964

I'm using the iQase.com screen protector. My iPhone doesn't seem to be any hotter for it. In fact, the first day or two the phone seemed to run hotter than it has since and that was without the protector.

Posted by: dohdough

Heat is produced by power usage, not because of a sheet of plastic less than .5mm thick trapping heat in the device. If screen protectors were the culprit of overheating, then wouldn't the iPhone enclosures be worse?

Posted by: Stogieman

My iPhone has shared a pocket with keys, coins and bottle openers. A little over a month and still no scratches on the screen. Can't say the same for the chrome bezel around the face. That thing is covered with tiny small scratches. You don't notice them unless you look real hard so it doesn't bother me one bit.

Posted by: audiosclie

Does anyone in this thread still not have scratches on the chrome? I am as careful as can be and still have scrathces on the chrome accents and the rubber bottom on the back side. I don't believe a screen protector is neccessary as the glass is probably gonna be the hardest part of the phone to scratch. However, I do use a case for the simple fact that the phone (naked) is absolutely the slipperiest and slickest phone to ever be in my hands. I almost wonder if Apple made it this way in hopes of us buying a couple of these phones due to drops. With all this being said, this is the classiest looking phone EVER!!

Posted by: DamienZ28

Interesting thread. I had decided that there was no way I am going to put any kind of protection on mine. I want it for its durability! If I wanted to use protectors then I would have kept my crappy windows mobile phone. Now theres a phone that scratches! Once again a expereince ruined by MS. If I do it would be a silicone case.. But I have seen on iPods how if a small piece of dirt gets in there it makes one nasty scratch mark. This should have been a voting thread!

Posted by: Jayden0606

This thread jinxed me.... I saw it and never bothered looking in here as I didn't scratch mine until today when I noticed this tiny scratch this morning. How much does a scratch effect the touch? I am so pissed off. That's what I get for the naked action.

I've also dropped my iPhone 7 times since the initial drop three days ago. WTF!

Lol. I got a couple of nicks and scratches on the chrome!!! Grrr!