Which screen protector is best? Glass, film or privacy: how to choose in one minute

A cracked screen is the repair we do most often. Every day, in every store. Often there was no screen protector on it, or one that had been broken for months. A shame, because a screen protector costs a fraction of a new screen.

So at the counter, people rarely ask me whether they need one. What they want to know is which screen protector is best. Glass or film? With or without a privacy filter? And do you really need a camera protector?

I’m Job, I’ve worked at ThePhoneLab since 2018 and screen protectors are my specialty. Below I walk you through the options, exactly the way I do at the counter.

In this blog, we discuss:

1. Why is a screen protector so important?
2. Tempered glass: when should you choose glass?
3. Film or Skin: when should you choose a flexible protective layer?
4. Privacy screen protector: the pros and cons
5. Camera protector: do you need one?
6. Which screen protector is best for you? Choose in one minute

Why is a screen protector so important?

Your screen is the most expensive part of your phone. A screen protector catches scratches from keys and coins and takes the first hit when you drop it. That way you protect not only your screen, but also the value of your device: a scratch-free screen is worth a lot more when you trade it in.

I often hear: “But my case already protects it, right?” A good case catches the corners, but the front is exposed. If your phone lands flat on a pebble or the edge of a paving stone, only a layer in front of your screen helps. A case and a screen protector each do a different job.

Tempered glass: when should you choose glass?

Tempered glass is the choice if you want to keep the feel of your original screen. It’s hard and stiff, and a coating keeps fingerprints and grease away. Keys and coins scratch the glass, not your screen. In a hard fall, the glass breaks instead of your screen: then it has done its job.

For almost every iPhone from the iPhone 12 onwards, we have tempered glass with an applicator. The applicator is a frame that clicks onto your iPhone. You pull out the orange strip with the film, press the glass down and it’s on: perfectly straight, without air bubbles and without dust. And it fits under almost any case.

Choose glass if:

• you value the glass feel and rarely drop your phone;
• you want to apply it yourself, at home, in one go;
• you want it delivered to your door.

Tempered glass with applicator

Tempered glass you apply perfectly straight at home in one go, for iPhone 12 and newer.

Shop our tempered glass

Film or Skin: when should you choose a flexible protective layer?

A film does the opposite of glass: it flexes on impact instead of cracking. That’s why it often lasts longer, and you never end up with splinters. Our version is called the ThePhoneLab Skin, and it’s not just any film. It’s a silicone protective layer, thinner than glass, but so strong that you can hardly tear it.

We cut the Skin to size in store on the spot and apply it with a special gel. That’s why it fits any smartphone up to 8 inches, from iPhone and Samsung to any other brand. If there’s no glass for your device, the Skin is always the answer. For tablets up to 11 inches there’s a separate version.

The Skin is almost invisible, has a self-healing top layer for small scratches and doesn’t crack. Does your glass protector keep breaking? Then this is your screen protector.

You can choose from four versions:

• Skin: clear and almost invisible, the best protection.
• Skin Matte: less glare, feels like paper. Great if you’re outside a lot or read a lot.
• Skin Privacy: dark from the side, so nobody can look over your shoulder.
• Skin Privacy Matte: both benefits in one layer.

Matte, Privacy and Privacy Matte also protect well, but because of the slightly different material, a little less than the standard Skin. So choose them if you really want the matte surface or the privacy filter.

Applying it is more precise work than glass with an applicator, so we do that for you. You order the Skin online and collect it at one of our stores, or you add it to your repair appointment. We can’t ship it.

ThePhoneLab Skin

Cut to size in store, for any smartphone up to 8 inches. Collect only, or add it to your repair appointment.

Order the ThePhoneLab Skin

Privacy screen protector: the pros and cons

A privacy screen protector has a filter that makes your screen readable only from straight ahead. Someone sitting diagonally next to you on the train just sees a dark surface. The downside: you also see your screen a little less brightly, and the viewing angle is narrow. Watching a video together or showing your screen to a colleague works less well.

We have privacy glass for iPhones, with the same applicator as our regular glass. The Skin Privacy fits any phone up to 8 inches, including your iPhone if you’d rather not have glass. My advice: choose privacy if you’re on public transport every day or read a lot of confidential messages. If you mostly use your phone at home or often share your screen, go for clear glass or the regular Skin.

Privacy tempered glass

Tempered glass with a privacy filter and applicator, for iPhone 12 and newer.

Shop our privacy glass

Camera protector: do you need one?

The camera sticks out of the back of your iPhone. If your phone lands on its back, the camera bump hits the ground first. And in your bag, keys and loose change rub against the lenses. A tempered glass camera protector takes that hit and those scratches instead of your lenses.

Whether you need one depends on your case. A raised edge around the camera already keeps the lenses off a flat surface. If you carry your phone loose in your bag or pocket, or have a thin case, a camera protector is a small effort.

There are two versions: one piece of glass over the whole camera bump, or a separate black glass for each lens, so the bump itself stays free. A scratch on your lens shows up in every photo, and a camera repair costs a lot more than this little piece of glass.

Camera protector

Tempered glass over your camera lenses, in one piece or per lens.

Shop our camera protectors

Which screen protector is best for you? Choose in one minute

Which screen protector is best depends on your device and on how you treat your phone. In short: if you have an iPhone 12 or newer and like to apply it yourself, choose tempered glass with an applicator. If you have another brand, or your glass keeps breaking, choose the Skin. This is the guide I use at the counter myself:

1. iPhone 12 or newer, and you’d rather apply it yourself: tempered glass with an applicator. Delivered to your door and straight in one go. For the mini models, we cut a Skin.
2. Samsung, another brand or an older iPhone: the Skin, cut to size in store.
3. Your glass breaks all the time: the Skin. It doesn’t crack, it flexes.
4. You’re on the train every day: privacy glass or the Skin Privacy.
5. You read a lot or are outside a lot: the Skin Matte, against glare.
6. iPad or other tablet: the Skin Tablet.

Not sure? Bring your device to one of our stores. We’ll look at your screen and your case together and choose in a minute. If you buy the screen protector from us, we’ll apply it for free, without bubbles and without dust. Usually you’re back outside within five minutes.

Prefer to order from home? Then take a look at all screen protectors in the shop. Add a case and a camera protector and you pay for two of the three: the cheapest one is free. We call that combination the Protection Kit, but you can combine anything: 3 for 2 applies to all accessories, online and in our stores.

3 for 2 on all accessoriesOnline and in our stores. Mix & match: combine whatever you like, the cheapest one is free.

Is your screen already cracked? Then a screen protector won’t help anymore. First have your iPhone screen repaired, often within 30 minutes, and choose your protection right away. Then you won’t have to go through this again.

About ThePhoneLab

For more than ten years, ThePhoneLab has been repairing phones, tablets and laptops, every day, throughout the Netherlands. Every repair starts with an honest diagnosis, no cure no pay, and then you choose what suits you: original parts or a more affordable alternative from our own brand, for every budget. Because repairing is almost always smarter than replacing, for your wallet and for the planet. No wonder customers give us a 9.5, in tens of thousands of reviews.

View all repairs or find a store near you.