Do you drop your phone often? Check out which screen guard will work best for you

Some phones come with a screen protector

Phone with matte screen protector (Image: Zohaib Ahmed/The Indian Express)

Some phones include a screen protector with the box which should get you going, at least for a while. In most cases, they are mostly thin-film thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) screen protectors, which can protect the screen from scratches but don’t offer much protection against accidental drops.

These screen protectors should be good to go, especially for those who are careful with their devices.

However, those who have a track record of dropping their phones often should probably look out for other options such as a tempered screen guard, which can help protect the actual display.

The most common types of smartphone screen guards:

TPU/PET film screen guards
Tempered screen guard
Privacy screen guard
Mirror screen guard
UV screen guardSapphire screen guard

Again, these screen guards can be broadly classified into two types: glossy or matte. As the name suggests, a glossy screen guard will have a glossy finish, and one from a reputed brand will make the screen look like the original one with a bit of screen reflection. A matte screen guard can cut down the light reflection, but it might slightly hamper the colour accuracy.

It is also important to protect the display, especially if you plan on reselling it after a few years. A phone with a pristine display can fetch more value than a phone with a broken or scratched display.

It is also important to protect the display, especially if you plan on reselling it after a few years. A phone with a pristine display can fetch more value than a phone with a broken or scratched display.

TPU/PET film screen guards are best meant for curved screen phones

It’s great against fingerprints but there are downsides as well. (Image: Zohaib Ahmed/The Indian Express)

If you happen to have a phone with a curved display, a thin film screen guard like TPU or PET film should be good enough. Again, it doesn’t offer much protection against physical damage, but it can prevent the screen from accidental scratches.

UV screen protectors or liquid screen protectors are also quite popular among phones with curved displays, as it’s very difficult to install curved tempered glass due to the nature of the display. However, brands like OnePlus and Xiaomi have warned against using a UV screen guard, and we also recommend staying away from those, as those can cause permanent damage to the display.

Tempered glass for phones with flat panel screen

For just Rs 150, this tempered screen guard can protect your new iPhone.

For those who have a phone with a flat panel display, we recommend regular tempered glass, which has become much cheaper over the years. Tempered glass, despite adding a bit of thickness, can protect the screen from scratches and physical damage.

Again, within tempered glass, one can get a screen protector with a matte, glossy, or mirror finish. Tempered glasses are also available with a privacy coating. These tempered glasses come with different hardness levels, such as 9H and 11H; however, it’s hard to measure their hardness, so it’s best to go with a reputed brand or get a cheaper one. A harder glass is more resilient to drops and damages.

Tempered glass with privacy protection drastically reduces the viewing angle of the display so that anyone around the device cannot see what’s happening on the phone. However, it will also make the screen slightly dull and less colour-accurate.

Lastly, there are also Sapphire screen guards, which are ultra-expensive and cost a lot more than a typical screen guard. If you plan on getting one, ensure it’s genuine and get it fitted by a professional to ensure it’s installed properly.

Do note that on some phones with an in-display fingerprint sensor, tempered glass might affect its function, especially on phones with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Hence, always check with the manufacturer and confirm the compatibility before buying one.

Hope these tips will come in handy when choosing the screen protector for your smartphone.