Are Glass Screen Protectors Worth It? Here’s What to Know

The glass screen on your smartphone or tablet is always vulnerable, no matter how tough the manufacturer claims it to be. This includes vulnerability to anything from scratches to cracks. For example, simply putting your unprotected phone away in your pocket or purse with other metal objects can end up scratching the screen.

This is why people often invest in a screen protector. A screen protector is a sheet of thin material made to provide extra protection against all that potential damage. Some screen protectors are even made of liquid glass as well, so there is a variety of options available when shopping for a glass screen protector.

Before buying one, you want to ask yourself ‘are glass screen protectors worth it’? Below, we break down the pros and cons of having a glass screen protector to help you make that important decision.

Do Glass Screen Protectors Live Up to the Hype?

If you have ever made a search online for advice on how to take care of your phone, you can see a plethora of articles recommending a glass screen protector as a mandatory accessory. Seeing all that hype may be a bit confusing if you can’t determine if it’s well deserved or not. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of glass screen protectors and figure out if they really do live up to the hype they receive.

Looking for a glass screen protector for your iPhone, Galaxy, Motorola, or other models? Shop high-quality protection for your screen here!

Pros of Glass Screen Protectors

To give you a better idea of if a glass screen protector is a good investment, think about the following pros they can provide.

Scratch Protection

Protection against scratching is a genuine benefit of a glass screen protector. Look for ones made from specially tempered glass with an anti-scratch rating of ‘9H’, as this is the industry standard for the top items. It will ensure that during its lifetime, the actual screen of your phone or tablet does not get scratched so that you can pass it on in perfect condition when you move on to your next phone.

Crack and Shattering Protection

A glass screen protector has been shown to work when protecting your phone from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. Additionally, glass screen protectors will also provide protection against shattering or cracking of your phone’s screen. The way that this works is simple: a glass screen protector is applied to the face of the phone, so it will take the impact when potentially dropped instead of the original screen. Essentially, the glass screen protector is more likely to crack than your original phone screen.

Inexpensive to Replace

Eventually, your screen protector will need replacing after the wear and tear it goes through. The worry about this is when that time comes, will it be a big hit on your wallet? Luckily, the answer to that is no! Screen protectors come at a reasonable price, and some brands even send multiple screen protectors at a time. This makes buying glass screen protectors worth it when it comes to saving money.

Fingerprint Protection

Anti-fingerprint is achieved with some glass screen protectors using a special coating on the screen. This makes the fingerprints on the screen protector “not visible at all to the naked eye,” according to the Fraunhofer IFAM. The reason this extra coat is put on certain glass screen protectors is that as the oils from your skin build-up on the screen, it can cause unsightly smudges on the glass.

Options for Most Phone Models

From Apple models to Motorola phones, there is a screen protector out there for you. With every new model of phone that is released, there is a variety of accessories that you can buy for it, from phone cases to screen protectors. So, if you’re worried about not being able to find one that fits your phone, you can rest easy.

Cons of Glass Screen Protectors

To answer the question of ‘are glass screen protectors worth it’ properly, we have also looked at some potential pitfalls they may have:

Thicker Than Other Screen Protectors

Usually, glass screen protectors measure between 0.3 and 0.5mm thick, which is slightly noticeable. The cosmetic difference is a problem for some, but there is no functional difference in the feel of the screen. This new screen feels exactly the same as the original screen because it uses the same tempered glass materials. Sometimes a tempered glass will come with no cutouts for the front camera and may cause some minor distortion in the image. It is preferable to get a glass screen protector with cutouts around the camera area.

Not All Have an Anti-Fingerprint Coating

It really depends on what brand of glass screen protector you purchase. SaharaCase adds an anti-fingerprint coating, but not all manufacturers do. So, if that anti-fingerprint coating is something you need, make sure to be on the lookout for that when you’re shopping.

Adds Weight

Glass screen protectors will add some weight to your phone or tablet, however, it is really not noticeable.

Are Glass Screen Protectors Worth It: The Rundown

After learning a bit about the pros and cons of glass screen protectors, you have a better idea of what they can and can’t do to protect your phone.

So, our final decision is this: if you want to protect your smartphone from screen damage, fingerprint discoloration at an easy to achieve price, a glass screen protector is a sensible purchase that we highly recommend.

When looking at the cons, they are mostly minor cosmetic complaints that don’t apply to every person.

Curious about how glass measured up to other screen protection? Here are some things to consider:

• Liquid screen protector vs tempered glass
• Plastic screen protector vs tempered glass

To take that next step in protecting your phone, you can find a great selection to choose from at SaharaCase, as well as protective cases and accessories galore. If you have any questions, check out our FAQ, and don’t hesitate to contact us!