Why a screen protector is a must
The screen is the most vulnerable part of a mobile. It’s at the front, it hits the table first when the phone falls, and it sits in your pocket alongside keys, coins and sand. Even a phone with a good case will get scratches on the screen. Repairing a modern OLED screen often costs several thousand kronor, so a screen protector for under two hundred is therefore one of the cheapest forms of insurance you can buy.
There are three main types. Tempered glass is thicker, has a hardness rating of 9H and withstands both scratches and impacts. Plastic film (usually TPU) is thin and flexible and primarily protects against scratches. Privacy glass is tempered glass with a built-in filter that darkens the screen when viewed from the side, so that others cannot see what you’re looking at. The rest of this guide explains which type suits which phone and which user.
By way of comparison, it’s worth noting that both the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 16 Pro, launched two years apart, both feature a Ceramic Shield glass front, and any user keen to ensure these devices last a long time would be wise to invest in a screen protector.
What is the best screen protector for a Samsung mobile?
Samsung sells everything from budget A-series models to the Galaxy S series and the foldable Z-series models, and they are designed in different ways. The shape of the screen and the position of the fingerprint reader determine which screen protector will work. A screen protector that fits one model perfectly may cause problems on another, even if the two look identical.
Why Samsung Galaxy models have different requirements to the iPhone
Three things set the Galaxy apart from the iPhone when choosing a screen protector:
- Curved screens. Several Galaxy models, including older S and Ultra models, have screens that curve down over the edge. A standard flat screen protector does not cover the entire screen on such a phone and may leave a visible edge or lift up at the sides. For curved screens, you must use a screen protector that is shaped to follow the curve, or one that is fitted using UV adhesive.
- Full-coverage screen protector. The protector covers the screen right out to the edge and has a black bezel that matches the front of the phone. It provides better protection at the corners and a neater finish than protectors that only cover the flat part.
- In-display fingerprint reader. Many Galaxy models have a reader beneath the screen, often an ultrasonic reader. It is sensitive to air pockets and thick or poorly fitted screen protectors between your finger and the screen. Choose a screen protector that is specifically designed for your model and where compatibility with the fingerprint sensor is stated. Also, check whether the screen protector requires you to re-register your fingerprints after fitting. This is often a good idea.
Always buy a screen protector that matches your specific model number. The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Samsung Galaxy S24+ have different screen sizes, and a screen protector that fits one will not fit the other. This also applies to other models; for example, a screen protector for Samsung Galaxy S26 will not fit a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
What is the best screen protector for an expensive smartphone?
The more expensive the phone, the more costly the damage. A flagship model has a screen that is the most expensive to replace and a higher resale value, which a scratched or cracked screen reduces. It is therefore worth choosing a screen protector with a little more care than the standard option.
Extra protection for flagship models
Standard 9H glass is tempered glass with an oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating. It provides good protection against scratches from keys and sand and can withstand most minor impacts. For most users, this is sufficient, and it is cheap to replace.
Premium glass comes in two main variants:
- Ceramic glass is a flexible nanoceramic film that does not shatter. It withstands bending and impacts well, but is softer than glass and can therefore get scratched in ways that tempered glass would not.
- Hybrid glass combines the hardness of glass with a flexible layer, so that it both resists scratches and offers greater flexibility at the edges. It is often thinner than standard glass, and your finger glides easily over the surface.
Premium glass is usually more expensive, but often works better on screens with rounded edges and when used in conjunction with in-screen fingerprint readers. For an expensive phone, the price difference is small relative to the value of what you’re protecting. For example, you can buy an iPhone 15 Pro Max screen protector or an iPhone 14 Pro Max screen protector for a fraction of the price of the phone itself.
What is the best screen protector for children and families?
Children drop their phones more often, throw them into their bags without a case and put them down with dirty fingers. The screen protector must be able to withstand this, be easy to keep clean and so simple to fit that a child or teenager can do it themselves without leaving any bubbles.
Sturdy glass that can withstand everyday life with children
- Impact resistance. Choose a screen protector labelled as extra impact-resistant, or a thicker glass of 0.33 mm or more. Tempered glass is designed to absorb the impact and break instead of the screen. If it breaks, you simply replace it and keep the screen intact.
- Antibacterial coating. Children touch everything, and the phone often ends up against their face. A screen protector with an antibacterial coating limits bacterial growth on the surface itself. It’s no substitute for washing your hands, but it makes it easier to keep the screen protector clean, and an oil-repellent coating means fingerprints can be wiped away with a cloth.
- Easy, bubble-free fitting. Choose a set with a mounting frame or some other type of aid to fit the screen protector. With a frame, the screen protector sits in the right place first time, and children can follow the step-by-step guide below without help.
- Buy extras. Many screen protectors are sold in packs of two or three. This is an advantage in a family where the screen protector will need replacing sooner or later.
Comparison table: Types of screen protectors
| Type | Best for | Hardness | Price range |
| Standard tempered glass (9H) | Everyday use | 9H | Low |
| Full-coverage/curved screen | Samsung Galaxy (curved screens) | 9H | Medium |
| Privacy glass | Families, work phones | 9H | Medium |
| Premium/hybrid glass | Expensive flagship models | 9H+ | High |
How to fit a screen protector without bubbles (step by step)
- Clean the screen thoroughly with the cloth provided. Start with the wet wipe, if one is included, and then wipe with the dry cloth. Remove all fingerprints and grease marks, as these are the most common cause of bubbles. Wash your hands first if they are greasy.
- Remove dust with tape or a dust remover. Use the dust remover provided or a piece of sticky tape to remove any dust particles and fibres from the screen, including around the edges. A single dust particle under the glass will cause a bubble that won’t disappear on its own. It’s best to do this in a draught-free room, for example in a bathroom after a hot shower.
- Position the glass starting from the camera or sensor cut-out. Hold the edges of the glass without touching the adhesive side and place it on the phone so that the cut-outs for the front camera, speaker and sensors line up exactly. Use the mounting frame if the kit includes one. Check the positioning before allowing the glass to settle fully onto the screen. The edges should be parallel to the edge of the phone.
- Press from the centre outwards. Press lightly in the centre of the glass to adhere the adhesive, and slowly smooth towards the edges using a dry cloth or a card. Any remaining bubbles can often be pushed out towards the edge. If there is a bubble next to a speck of dust, gently lift the glass on one side, remove the dust with tape, and replace the glass. Small bubbles without dust usually disappear after a couple of days as the adhesive dries.
Frequently asked questions
Is tempered glass better than plastic film?
In most cases, yes. Tempered glass offers better protection against both scratches and impacts, and it feels just like the original screen. Plastic film is thinner and can be adapted to curved screens, but offers almost no impact protection and can get scratched on the film itself. If you have a flat screen, glass is the best choice. If you have a heavily curved screen where standard glass doesn’t fit, premium glass with UV adhesive or film is an alternative.
Can the screen protector damage Face ID or the fingerprint reader?
No, it cannot damage them. A screen protector made specifically for your model, with precise cut-outs for sensors and the camera, will not interfere with Face ID either. In-display fingerprint readers can be more sensitive. A screen protector that is too thick, has air bubbles, or is not properly fitted may make the reader slower or less accurate. Choose a screen protector that is listed as compatible with your phone’s reader and re-register your fingerprint after fitting, if necessary.
How often should you replace your screen protector?
There is no fixed time limit. Replace the screen protector when it has cracks or chips, when there are deep scratches that interfere with use, or when the edges start to lift. The grease-repellent coating wears off over time, meaning fingerprints stick more easily and the screen protector feels less smooth. For many people, this happens after one to two years’ use. If the screen protector has taken a heavy knock and cracked, it has done its job and must be replaced immediately, even if the screen underneath is intact.
Does the screen protector fit with a case?
Yes, most screen protectors are designed to fit with a case. Many screen protectors are slightly smaller than the screen, so that the edges of the case do not push them away. If you have a case with a raised edge or a very snug-fitting case, the screen protector may still lift up at the edge. In that case, choose a screen protector that is labelled as ‘case-friendly’ and check that the edge of the case does not extend beyond the edge of the screen protector. Full-coverage screen protectors may be more susceptible to tight-fitting cases than those that are slightly smaller.
