Is it really necessary to have a screen protector?

[ShooterLight]

I've had my Note 8 for 9 days now and while I was thinking about buying a screen protector when it arrived, I must admit that I'm quite impressed by the quality of the screen. It just feels so hard to scratch, so much so that one would probably struggle trying to scratch it even on purpose. I don't really see myself scratching it by accident anytime soon, although I must admit I'm this kind of guy who never drops the phone and handles it with extreme care.

I'm just curious to read what you guys think, maybe somebody persuades me to buy a screen protector after all, who knows.

 

[chazglenn3]

The Gorilla Glass 5 is more shatter-resistant than previous versions and that means it is softer also. I had my Note 7 only a few days before it started picking up micro scratches on the front and back. Your mileage may vary. I'm putting on a Whitestone done and a skin on the back of mine.

 

[Fourstarzzzz]

I bought a screen protector but am debating putting it on. I may try it and see how it goes

 

[Gary02468]

Many of us do fine with no protection. Others report getting scratches no matter how hard they try not to.

 

[Torquemada288]

I've always put a protector on my previous phones but I'm using my Note 8 without a screen protector. Like you, I'm always very careful with my phone and never drop it. The pocket that I put my phone in only contains my phone; I never put loose change or key in there. My Spigen Slim Armor case protects most of the phone and keeps the screen off the table surface if I do put it face down. With all of the issues people have had with curved tempered glass screen protectors, it just seems like more hassle than it's worth. The only one I'd get is the Whitestone Dome but that costs $60 here. Bit pricey.

 

[xile6]

I always run a protectors. Better safe then sorry.
I take very good care of my stuff. If a scratch did happen you cant take it back. So there would be no way ti fit it without buying a no front glass or new phone.
With a protector you can simply remove it and put on another one.

 

[tomplatz]

Fwiw, 5 days and i have a scratch, no clue where it came from. Have never used screen protectors, but will now

Sent from my SM-N950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app

 

[mehdi_s82]

It's def worth it. On my S8 there was a scratch after few days and I am very careful about my phone so really don't know how it happened.

 

[Fourstarzzzz]

Same here...it is so minor and you cannot even feel it. Babied it too. Also a small one on the back and it had a case day 1. Something tells me it came like that

 

[nuclearrage]

Going naked for now. Just watch out for sand, fine sand , seems to be the only thing. If it was a flat screen I would have tempered glass on it.

Sent from my Galaxy Note8 using XDA Labs

 

[hx4700 Killer]

ANY sharp instrument will scratch if the point is pressed in to the display, period. It is MUCH easier to bang on it with a long blade edge and look like you did nothing than the tip of an x-acto knife. That is what those demos do. Resisting attack across a large area is really what you are seeing. Keys are small like that etc...

Finally, a big part of Gorilla Glass is that it also HIDES or better put doesnt show minor damage as much as other glass. In other words, its there you just don't see it.

I bet a screen for this will be $300-$400. How much is a protector that looks good?

 

[Ry2mkk]

Better safe than sorry. Once it's scratched it would bug the hell out of me. It's a £1000 device.

 

[princeasi]

Throw a screen protector on it. In time, micro-scratches will appear on your screen if you dont!

 

[bonerp]

Note FE, had it on the ironing board (and forgot about it). Folded the ironing board and it very gently slid down it onto the floor face down....very gently....resulted in a 7mm scratch.
Not got one on this yet but it does highlight how pathetically weak GG5 is.

 

[Fourstarzzzz]

I put one on from iq shield...works great with my ringke wave

 

[BigMosley]

Since its a huge pain to find a glass protector that fits and doesn't screw up touch sensitivity I just grabbed the $8 Skinomi wet install protector, works great including with the edge display and S-Pen.

 

[princeasi]

I believe the micro-scratches are not the actual "glass" screen itself. It's the oleophobic coating that we see scratched.

 

[pcriz]

I believe the micro-scratches are not the actual "glass" screen itself. It's the oleophobic coating that we see scratched.

But if it still looks like a scratch....

 

[Alex---1]

I personally really don't get the mentality of people who put huges cases and screen protectors on their phones. Most people here are obsessive on having 'the latest' and upgrade yearly when new stuff comes out so they can have the nicest, thinnest, prettiest shiny piece of hardware - Then they go wrap it all up in a thick rubber/plastic case and make it look sh*t. Why buy a device with no bezel if you're gonna put a huge thick case bezel around it!

I've had all my smartphones without cases/screen protectors as that's how they're meant to be and to honest I look after my devices. I usually get 2 year contracts on phones and at the end of 2 years, worst case, a few micro scratches on the screen - That's it. Do these guys bubble wrap their cars? It's a phone, it's designed to be used, it'll get the odd small scratch, just enjoy it for what it is IMO.

 

[Mike02z]

I have dropped my Pixel XL and the screen protector cracked but the screen was fine. Same on my Nexus 6. Dropped it on it's face from about 5' and the screen protector cracked all over it but the screen remained crack free. I fell that a glass screen protector takes the abuse of a drop. Granted, I've never dropped a phone with a screen protector so not sure if they would have cracked the screen without a protector but to me, It used to be relatively cheap protection. Some of the better protectors are 40+ now so it's not as easy a decision as it used to be for me.