Whether you own an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, keeping your device’s precious glass screen free from unsightly scratches and potentially expensive cracks is crucial. At AMT Electronics, our repair specialists are often asked by customers about the best options for maximizing screen protection.
The two most popular choices are hydrogel screen protectors, which are thin, soft-feeling films designed to defend screens without impacting tactile responsiveness, and tempered glass screen protectors, which provide robust shielding through a toughened sheet of glass. Both offer scratch and crack protection, but they differ in terms of feel and responsiveness to touch, long-term durability, and price point.
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the key pros and cons of hydrogel vs tempered glass screen protectors alternatives. We will also explore some top-rated brands for each type of protector and help you decide whether it’s truly worth putting a screen covering on your valuable iPhone or Samsung Galaxy device.
What is a Hydrogel screen protector?
Made of a specially formulated polymer gel material blended with water, hydrogel screen protectors are extremely lightweight and flexible. This unique hydrated gel formula allows the protector to conform seamlessly to any bumps, curves or angles across a device’s display surface.
The breathable gel is also resistant to accumulating fingerprints, smudges, or small droplets of condensation that some bulkier plastic films can be prone to. When applied smoothly without bubbles or creases, a hydrogel protector sits discreetly atop your screen like a second layer of reinforced glass.
Pros of Hydrogel screen protectors:
A major advantage of hydrogel is its tactile responsiveness. With a touch comparable to bare glass, the gel glides effortlessly with your finger gestures for an elegant, slick user experience. This gives screens excellent sensitivity without any delay or stiff resistance that thicker tempered alternatives can introduce.
Hydrogel also offers shatter-resistance to protect against breakage from small drops or impacts like harder screen shields. Its soft highly flexible material plays a crucial cushioning role in absorbing shock.
Cons of Hydrogel screen protectors:
On the downside, hydrogel’s pliant attributes mean it may not withstand heavy impacts as solidly as reinforced glass. Over the long run, its polymers are more prone to fine scratches or gradual distortion from constant fingerprint etching compared to tempered options.
Damage could be accelerated if liquids seep behind the protector. Regular wet application is also needed to maintain flexibility, unlike ‘fit and forget’ dry install glass covers.
Best Hydrogel screen protector brands:
Leading brands producing quality hydrogel protectors include IQShield, intelliARMOR and Japanese manufacturer Skinomi. Each offers ultra-thin, self-repairing gel options confirmed for optical clarity and fluid touch recognition.Tech Armor is also a reliable choice for multi-packs ensuring continuous protection. Look for certified compatibility and smudge-resistant coatings across brands.
What is a Tempered Glass screen protector?
Made from chemically treated soda lime glass, tempered glass screen protectors undergo ion-exchange strengthening. The glass pieces are rapidly heated and then air-cooled in a kiln process, creating internal surface compression that results in the glass being up to 4 times harder than non-tempered glass. With a smoother tactile feel and optical clarity simulating real glass, tempered protectors form an exceptionally resilient barrier against scratches, scuffs and crack-inducing impacts.
Pros of Tempered Glass screen protectors:
While pricier, tempered glass offers unparalleled drop protection and belligerence due to its dense molecular structure. Withstands inadvertent keys drops and sustained blows that could crack less hardy materials. Its polished glass textures also repel fingerprints and smudges with ease via a simple wipe. Longevity exceeds lifetime with proper care.
Cons of Tempered Glass screen protectors:
Comparatively thicker and heavier than hydrogel alternatives, tempered glass can marginally dampen sensitive screen response. Also requiring fastidious application free of moisture and debris that may undermine adhesion. Repairs necessitate professional replacement rather than simply peeling off sub-standard brands. Slight air pockets may form over time.
Best Tempered Glass Screen Protector Brands:
Leading produces are Anthropic, Spigen and ESR with their top options delivering up to 26 feet drop protection through tempered formulations. Anthropic focuses on natural feel whilst ESR produces budget-friendly multi-packs. More heavy-duty brands like ArmorSuit combine rugged polycarbonate shells with glass vanguard for holistic 360-degree coverage during constant exposure to construction sites and extreme environments.
Is it Worth Putting a Screen Protector on iPhones?
While the late Steve Jobs famously dismissed screen protectors by stating “most users don’t want that extra layer”, independent iPhone drop tests have consistently demonstrated that unprotected screens are prone to shattering from heights as low as the user’s hip level onto hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt.
Without insurance, the out-of-pocket for professional iPhone screen replacement cost can easily exceed $200 depending on the model, making protective screen covers a very cost-effective means of self-insuring against potentially expensive screen damage.
AppleCare+ does provide incidental damage coverage at a lower repair fee, however purchasing it after the fact significantly inflates the price and coverage only lasts for two years. Investing a fraction of the cost in a quality screen protector offers year-round protection against scratches, minor abrasions and drops that otherwise increase the risk of requiring iPhone screen repair or significantly impacting the device’s trade-in value down the line.
While more recent iPhones like the 13 Pro series introduce shippable ceramic shield technology to improve bare screen scratch-resistance, using a hydrogel or tempered glass protector still helps in minimizing microscopic scratches that accumulate over time and prevents unsightly fingerprints.
This is important both for keeping the iPhone looking pristine as well as retaining maximum resale value through prevented cosmetic damage or needing professional iPhone screen repair. Though early iPhone 4/5 models faced challenges, modern screen protectors exceptionally complement most iPhone models without compromising sensitivity, touch accuracy or audio quality. For the superior protection alongside daily usability, a screen protector is an uncomplicated and worthwhile inclusion for any Apple device investment.
Is it Worth Putting a Screen Protector on Samsung Galaxy?
As one of the top smartphone producers globally, Samsung understands the realities of Devices taking accidental Falls. With innovative Edge and curved Display models now mainstream, specialty Protectors have thankfully evolved to perfectly conform without compromise.
While Samsung utilizes scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, independent drop Tests still rate its Screens vulnerable to Cracking from heights as low as the user’s waist when impacted on Hard surfaces like concrete.
Without protection, professional Samsung screen repair cost can easily exceed $150 or more based on the model and damage level. This is a significant investment of both money and time which could otherwise be prevented.
Even with Samsung’s limited warranty, coverage may not apply to accidental mishaps classified as user damage. By comparison, a quality screen protector costs a small fraction yet safeguards for the lifetime of owning the device. It also helps retain higher trade-in or resale value down the road by shielding against unintended scratches or chips in the pristine glass display.
Various tempered glass and hydrogel options proven to perfectly fit Galaxy flagship, A/M/Note series and other Edge/curved display models deliver risk-averse shielding from daily wear without deterring usability. Heavier duty screened case pairings further fortify protection for industrial or construction environments with constant risks of drops.
Overall, the Factory screen protection Samsung provides cannot match third party screen protector options for value, longevity and peace of mind against accidental scratches that could otherwise lead to needing costly Samsung screen repair in the future.
