Seidio VITREO Tempered Glass screen protector with lots of pics!!!

This is Part 1 of review for Seidio VITREO Tempered Glass screen protector. http://www.seidioonline.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2-vitreo-screen-guard-p/sptssgt2-cl.htm

I decided to review it in 2 parts. At the current moment I'm not ready to install it yet, so in Part 1 of the review I will go over what's in a box, and how it fits on top of the screen prior to installation. Plus, I took a lot of pictures for you to get a better idea.

My screen protector experience is based purely on dry installs where I typically prefer 3H hardness-rated PET film. I always look at screen protector as disposable/replaceable option because even the best one will get scratches at some point. Typically it won't happen on a daily basis with a regular use, but one of these days when you forget and end up with keys rubbing against your screen protector in the pocket, or while you are yanking the phone out of the zippered pocket brushing against screen protector, etc. Those times call for tempered glass material which is a lot more durable (typically 9H hardness) and more impact absorbing on a direct contact with a screen. And of course, glass will feel like a glass!!! It will cost more, but perhaps will last a lifetime of the phone so you don't have to replace/buy more regular screen protectors. Of course, this is really like a premium luxury option lol!!!

I have read a number of reviews for other tempered glass screen protectors and found one common problem. Its a glass which has less flexibility than a plastic screen protector, and in combination with curved Note 2 glass - a lot of people complain about edges not sticking with their other screen protectors. Furthermore, I noticed some designs use completely enclosed cutout around Home button, and in conjunction with thickness of the tempered glass you will actually need to add a stick-on Home button to raise it up so it doesn't feel recessed. So with all that in mind, I decided to give it a shot to Seidio VITREO tempered glass. To quote their spec:

- High grade tempered glass with a 9H hardness rating prevents damage in the event of scratches and abrasions
- Tapered (rounded) edges provide a premium and more aesthetically enhanced profile for your device
- Engineered to reinforce the strength of the critical points of impact which results in prolonged durability
- Oleophobic coating resists marks and smudges with advanced technology that reduces the appearance of fingerprints
- Designed precisely for your device with slim cut to prevent bubbling around edges
- Allows touch sensitivity and enhances optical clarity
- Easy installation without bubbling and lifting
- Only 0.55mm (0.02in) thin

As I mentioned already, I haven't installed it yet, so can't judge about touch sensitivity, optical clarify, and oleophobic characteristic yet. That will be included in Part 2 of the review (probably in a week). What I can tell you is that it feels very solid, kind of reminds me of thin plexiglass. Edges are rounded/tapered off. It's very lightweight. And it definitely has a VERY slim cut. I mean, it's so slim that it ONLY covers visible display part of the screen. I tried to take close up pics so you can see it. I guess Seidio decided not to take any chances with lifting edges, thus covering only flat part of the screen. In theory that is the only part of the screen where you glide your finger anyway. But at the same time having almost no margin will mean that you have to be VERY careful during install because you don't have any wiggle space. As I read in some other threads, this would be a good opportunity to use one of those suction cups to hold the tempered glass while lowering it down and aligning with a screen. Otherwise if you hold it by the edges with your fingers, you won't be able to align it precisely.

So here you go, pre-install pictures for your enjoyment!!! Feel free to comment if you have experience with VITREO or to suggest tips for tempered glass installation since I'm noob in that area

OK, for those who cares here are the pictures after the install and few of my comments!

Since this is my first tempered glass install, I actually found it to be easier because with a sturdier piece of glass, versus a typical dry install flexible screen protector, it's easier to hold it in your hands while positioning. Most of the positioning work goes into trying to align it with visible part of the display. Unfortunately, the width of this glass is probably 1mm wider than visible area of the screen so its not an easy task. If you don't have a steady hand or OCD, forget about it lol!!! Looked like the sticky side has some kind of a glue substance. I didn't see much of a bubbles, but noticed what seems to be like "wet" spots. I tried my best massaging it out, but probably at least a dozen still remain. When you put a pressure on it - it disappears, but then it's back. I read enough of the other tempered glass threads to realize that I probably will have to wait a few days to see how it goes. Again, speaking from a previous dry install experience where within minutes I get a perfect sp on contact - it looks to me tempered glass is not for those who want instant gratification. I will wait and see the progress, or lack of it, how these disappear. Will post updates and pictures as well. They just don't look like typical bubbles, but rather wet/glue spots.

About the glass itself. Edges are very nicely rounded off and VERY smooth. While sliding the finger over the edge you feel a very smooth transition. Thickness of the glass is higher than Home button, so the button feels a little bit recessed. Doesn't feel too bad since Home button opening is not enclosed. But if/once there is no wet spots and I decide to keep this permanently, I might consider Home button sticker. But as of now, I don't feel it's necessary. Once display is on, you don't see any wet spots at all. Everything is crystal clear, colors come through like with original glass screen, and it feels like a real smooth glass. S-pen glides smoothly too. Overall touch sensitivity and feeling is like you have an original glass display. Also, doesn't pick up too much fingerprints.

I will post an update and pictures in a few days how it looks, and hopefully those spots will disappear. As I said, they do not interfere with display on, but when it's off - its visible. At this point I will wait and see.

Here are the pictures. I tried my best to get every edge in focus since its not easy with a clear glass.



























OK, so here is the-morning-after UPDATE. I run my finger across the screen and every wet spot just disappeared!!!!!! This is a picture of PERFECTION!!! No bubbles, no spots, no lifting edges, just perfect and smooth. The only comment, since it has oleophobic coating, glass feels a little slippery right now which noticeable when you need to press'n'hold while using the phone (like press'n'hold on the link to open in another window of the browser). I believe that will wear off since it's a brand new layer of coating.

Here are the final updated pictures. This one is a KEEPER!!!

I have no idea what to expect when I install it. I know it's tapered off, so perhaps the transition won't be as bad sliding a finger across the edge? I would have installed it right away, but I have another screen protector (regular PET film) coming my way for review, and I want to install this tempered glass afterwards.

I promise to give you my honest opinion. Just honestly don't know what to expect or even what to compare it to since I have never installed or tried tempered glass screen protectors before. I will leave it up to you guys to read my review and compare it with other reviews in this forum to figure out if it works for you or not. Hopefully pictures can do some justice as well, since those worth thousand words

Also, I do realized it is on a pricey side in comparison to other ones, and someone already mentioned ebay options. But having a previous bad experience with cheap ebay film screen protectors I learned my lesson and would rather deal with brand names. Ebay cheap stuff comes off mass production lines with hardly any quality control.

Deleted

LittleRedDot said:

That was a lot of words for a pre-install. Brevity is your friend.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

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Oh, you have not seen everything yet, this was my short review lol! If you want to kill a few hours, read all of my reviews in signature link. You know I get paid per word? lol!

Btw, thanks for insightful reply/comment!

Hey, I got thick skin Listen guys, I'm not on payroll or invested in stock of these companies. Don't care if you buy or not these products. I'm just here to help. I do spend considerable amount of time on these reviews and typically have a format of lots of "text" and lots of "pictures". I don't mix it together 'cause different browsers/app-forum viewer scale/resize and mess it up. If you don't want to read my view, I always provide a link to a vendors site where you can read a brief summary. If you have a few minutes to kill - read my thoughts about it. And as usual I provide all the detailed pictures to cover every angle - and those worth at least a thousand words If you don't like it, just skip it - no need to complain. If you appreciate my work hit Thanks. If you have positive or negative comment about the product - it's what this forum is for, to discuss our opinion and have civilized conversation!

Check out Post #2 after the original one. I updated with my comments about the install and lot's of pictures how it looks now!!!

Here is a final update of VITREO Tempered Glass install. I picture of PERFECTION!!!!!!!! I also updated my original post for consistency.

apallohadas said:

Hey, I appreciate the review and most importantly the quality pictures.

I'll throw in my feedback on this thread if you don't mind.

That is once mine arrives later today.

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Of course, I would be happy if you post your comments!

One thing for install, I actually used provided alcohol swipe. Gotta get screen super clean and remove any oil fingerprint residue. I didn't want to take any chances. Also, I started alignment from top of the phone, just worked better for me. Prior to alignment play around with placement of the glass to figure out how to align it. It will be almost as wide as LCD part of the screen, so you need to get it right. Since I have white Note 2, I could see it better due to contrast with white bezel of the phone. But once installed right, it make it looks nice because the end of the glass is almost aligned with the edge of black LCD/white bezel. Good luck!

opasha said:

Again, great review bro. Everyone else who hates or undermines your reviews are either 1) too lazy to read 2) are jealous that you can afford such things ( even though it's just to share and help others) 3) are trolls. So, don't even pay attention to them. Also, the fact that you handled such comments maturely makes you the better person, my friend. This is XDA - a community to help each other rate/review/discuss everything in a positive manner. You can hate a product, but don't bash an individual (especially one who has nothing to gain by helping you). Everyone has an opinion, but the same message can be said in a kinder, more respectful tone. If anyone wants to bash what I said, feel free, but you'll just prove my point

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Thanks bro, and everybody else for kind words! I do my best to handle my replies maturely lol!!! Sh!t like that doesn't fly in forums where I'm moderating Plus, I provide links of my reviews back to the vendors because they like to read feedback and also comments from other users. XDA-Developers community held in a VERY HIGH respect with every vendor I communicate. I'm not representing vendors, but in some way I feel like I representing XDA community in a face of the vendor. I don't have to sugar coat my review, I try to present facts and support it with pictures. There are too many YT and Blog reviews where every single product is "great" and "must have" and they just read description bullets off vendors website. I'm honestly telling you that tempered glass is NOT for everybody, and its an expensive accessory. But if you decide to go with one then do your homework and read other comments on this forum. It's a big investment and you want it to work right

Also, about being able to afford such things. Just please don't take it in a cocky way, but with amount of reviews I have posted, amount of time I spend on it, and feedbacks I provided back in direct email communication with vendors, I earned their trust and respect to receive review samples. I don't want you to think I have disposal income, and I also don't want you to think that because I review something it's a must have for you to get it. I just want you guys to have as much of valuable info as you can get from my reviews so you can make up your own mind how to spend your own hard earned money. And perhaps save you and vendors hassle and headache of buying and returning it back because you based your buying choice on a pretty photoshoped picture or some blog or YT channel where they only care about number of Likes or Subscribers to build their reputation.

If you guys want to continue this discussion, feel free to post it in my official "vectron" summary review post (in my sig).