One of the first things you may think of when you get a new phone is some sort of screen protector. There are a few different screen protectors out there, and the differences may not be too obvious. Below are a few of the varieties of screen protectors and the levels of protection they offer.
PET Screen Protector
The PET screen protector is made of polyethylene terephthalate, which is a kind of plastic. These protectors have a scratch resistant polyester matte finished side and silicon adhesive opposite side. They do great against scratches and are inexpensive and as a bonus, usually come in a multi-pack. The downside of these protectors is that they can discolor fairly quickly from sun exposure and oils from your skin, and tend to have not as nice of feel as glass does. The scratch resistance protects only from fingernails, pocket change, and loose keys while providing no protection against impact damage.
TPU Screen Protector
TPU, or thermoplastic polyurethane, and is a step above the PET protective films. TPU is softer than PET, which gives it slight impact resistant properties. This prevents many typical scratches not to leave a mark on your protector. TPU is still very clear in transparency and is oil and grease resistant which makes it less prone to becoming discolored over time. Many of the TPU protectors will mention “Military Grade.” The US military uses many products, like individual protective tapes on aircraft, but keep in mind that the multiple brands of TPU differ in quality.
Tempered Glass Screen Protectors
Tempered Glass, or simply TG, screen protectors offer the best in screen protection. While more expensive than PET or TPU, TG is well worth the investment. TG screen protectors are multi-layered with a soft silicon bottom layer giving your screen some shock absorption, a PET film, tempered glass, and a top oleophobic coating. This oil resistant, super clear screen protector is still super thin and light weight, being no thicker or heavier than the other two types above. The tempered glass reduces glare and cuts down on reflection while the oleophobic coating not only doesn’t show fingerprints but won’t be scratched from sand – making this the perfect screen protector for beach goers. TG is so tough that it registers as an 8 to 9 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
Feel free to call Zagg Phone Repair if you have any questions and remember we can help you with virtually any mobile phone need!