Fancy, glossy touchscreen smartphones are all the rage today. They’re powerful and stylish and can do wonderful things for us. And maybe you just got a new smartphone and want to protect it from scratches, dings, dents, and cracks, which is why you are reading this article now. Smartphones are not cheap, after all. So, it’s understandable that you want to protect your investment in the best way possible without burning away your money.
This is why we have decided to write this article to help you determine whether it’s really worth the expense – or if you would be better off keeping your money in your wallet.
The Screen Protector
Glass protectors are the preferable choice. They can be thicker and stronger than plastic versions (which is important because broken glass can cut your fingers—and not in a good way). If you’re using a phone that has a case, there are probably two conflicting opinions running through your head. The first is: “I should invest in the best protector available.” This is true! You should. The second opinion is: “But if I drop my phone, its case will absorb the impact.” Also true!
The Case
If your phone is prone to getting dropped or you work around dust, dirt, and grime that might scratch the surface of your screen (the glass over the top of your display), then an extra layer of protection just isn’t going to help. The thing with screen protectors is they’re thin. A good case will be much thicker and offer more protection overall than an extra layer between you and the glass on your phone.
Consider your lifestyle or activities you normally think about how often you’re going to be using your phone—and what kind of activities you normally do with it.
If you’ve got butterfingers and you drop your phone regularly, it’s a good idea to invest in a durable, shock-absorbent phone case to keep it safe even from low heights.
Of course, several factors will come into play when deciding if you need a screen protector. First, if you’re an outdoorsy person, who spends time in the elements, it’s important to consider the amount of dust or sand that could get into your phone if you drop it. All those little particles can really cause damage over time by scratching up your screen. So, if you’re in a lot of sandy or dusty conditions, go ahead and invest in both a case and a screen protector.
However, if you don’t spend much time around large amounts of dust or sand, then you can just get away with a phone case. Why? Most phones need very little protection.
Smartphones are Strong
When you think about it, smartphones are pretty impressive pieces of technology. Phones these days can be bigger than 7 inches diagonally, and they fit in your pocket. Of course, they’re a little over a tenth of an inch thick, but somehow they’re also sturdy enough to survive in your bag or briefcase with all your other stuff.
Modern smartphones are much more durable than their predecessors. When deciding whether or not you need a screen protector for your phone, consider how much protection it already has before adding anything else. Most phones have been developed with scratch-resistant glass, so the bigger risk of damage is from drops rather than scratches.
Phone screens nowadays are designed to be durable – they need to be so you can use them every day without worrying about breaking them. Smartphone screens are made out of Gorilla glass which is stronger than typical window glass and very difficult to break. They even undergo rigorous drop testing during manufacturing to ensure that they’re actually built to withstand the impact of most falls in real life.
Do You Need Waterproofing?
You should also consider if you want to waterproof your phone. If you’re a swimmer or otherwise spend a lot of time in the water, waterproofing is probably important to you. But it’s often an easy feature to overlook for those who aren’t.
Waterproof cases obviously protect against being submerged in water and are great if you do go swimming with your phone, but they also offer extra protection when it comes to other liquids. Spills and sweat can easily ruin your phone if they’re not contained in a waterproof case.
That being said, many cases are marketed as “water-resistant,” which is less effective than waterproofing and doesn’t stand up well against moisture over long periods. Therefore, it’s also important to make sure that any case that is advertised as waterproof has a screen protector
that offers similar protection. Otherwise, you’ll be back at square one when it comes to protecting your screen from scratches or shattering on impact.
Depending on the way you use your phone, insurance may be a good option.
While cases and screen protectors can help a bit in some of the situations above, they can sometimes be more trouble than they’re worth.
Ultimately, if you are already prone to damaging your phone, it may be time for you to look at setting up an insurance plan for your device. This will save you from having to pay expensive repair costs out of pocket.
Insurance is also a good option if you regularly travel in areas where work is being done or if there are other hazards that could lead to damage (e.g., construction sites). Insurance doesn’t prevent accidents, but it provides peace of mind knowing that the cost won’t fall on you directly when damage occurs.
The Verdict
Truth is, not everyone needs a screen protector – it’s mostly a matter of preference. Most smartphone cases also cover your display with a built-in screen protector anyway. On the contrary, you should consider it carefully and thoroughly if you know you are likely to damage your screen somehow. The choice is ultimately up to you!
If we have convinced you that putting a new screen protector on your smartphone is not the clear-cut necessity that many people assume, shop for a phone case online to keep your investment safe and protected right away.
There’s no shortage of phone case brands out there. In fact, we have a huge collection of smartphone cases that support cases beyond the Apple and Samsung lineups. Some of our phone cases also have additional features, such as waterproof cases and dual-layer screen protection. From top-rated phone cases and best-sellers to crowd favorites, you’re sure to find one or two that fit your style and needs. Check them out here!
