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Hi all-
Waited until I got a chance to apply this thing before I wrote a review. This is a full-body skin like skinomi or invisible shield. It's a wet application, so if that scares you, don't read further. It was my first wet application, and I'll say I probably won't ever go back...
I used this only on the back; for the front I wanted a matte skin (to reduce glare and fingerprints). It comes in 5 pieces; 1 for the front and 4 for the back. Again, I only used the ones for the back. Here's my review:
1) This was the best screen protector experience I've ever had; also my first on a tablet and my first wet application, so that's saying something.
2) Wet application took about half an hour; most of that was spent holding down the edges as it dried. If you don't hold down the edges, the protector doesn't go around the edges. The wet application required only a bowl of soapy water, no solutions. I turned on a daily show and watched it while I worked.
3) During the application, I got several bubbles. This is one of the reasons why wet application is so much better: every bubble was worked out in just a few seconds. Also, unlike a dry application, the thing isn't covered in static, so you aren't attracting every bit of dust in the area to your skin. I think I ended up with one imperfection: a bit of cat hair. I'm pretty sure my cat planned that. The small bubbles from the soap were gone after an hour or two.
4) The other major advantage of wet application: you can readjust the protector once it's on. My protector is so perfectly aligned that you can't tell there's anything there if you didn't know that the original back cover is brushed aluminum.
5) Once applied and drying, I let the whole thing sit for a few hours before touching it again, to avoid accidentally shifting the skin. Instead of the brushed aluminum, now I have nice, grippy plastic on the back. It gets fingerprints but no more so than the unprotected back, and with this thing on I have no problem using a regular cloth to wipe it.
6) Like I said, I didn't put it on the front because I wanted a matte cover, but I'm considering it now... The matte cover is far better for fingerprints but it does affect the usability of the screen (less responsive, requires a heavier touch). Since it means throwing it away, I'll leave the matte skin on for a bit...
Overall, I'd say this was a great purchase. Oh, and I almost forgot: I got it for half off! Normal price is $36 for the full-body protector or $25 for the screen; this code will get you half off plus free shipping (code works for everything on the site):
http://www.clearprotector.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=xoom&x=0&y=0
and the code is: iwantultra
(just for clarity--I am not affiliated with this company in any way)
Give thanks if this helps you!
Thanks!
Just brought full body protectors for the Xoom and Galaxy Tab for only $33 with free shipping.
The only thing missing seems to be the spay to apply the cover, but this is a minor issue.
EDIT: Also thanks to OP for the excellent guide. I'd just like to add that I normally leave the device powered off for 12 hrs after using any liquid method, to prevent any possibility of water damage.
You can apply the cover in the evening and leave it to dry through the night.
Bigmille said:
Just brought full body protectors for the Xoom and Galaxy Tab for only $33 with free shipping.
The only thing missing seems to be the spay to apply the cover, but this is a minor issue.
EDIT: Also thanks to OP for the excellent guide. I'd just like to add that I normally leave the device powered off for 12 hrs after using any liquid method, to prevent any possibility of water damage.
You can apply the cover in the evening and leave it to dry through the night.
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Click to collapse
Should have added this to the original post:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-hN4PHDfsg
Use lots of water, make sure the whole surface is covered, but then let it drip until theres not much left. I didn't use enough water to have any worries of water damage to my xoom (almost nothing comes out from the edges), but you need to get complete coverage or you could get a bubble that wouldn't come out.
Do exactly like the video; make sure your workspace is open and clean! (like, really clean!) Wipe it down first, then lay out a clean dish towel. Use the dish towel to wipe the little bit of water from the edges. You can use the dish towel to hold the plastic to the curved edges too.
ZAGG sells a similar kit that includes a solution in a spray bottle. As well, you can also order the kit with a graphic pattern on it either from the shop or your own custom work, thereby giving you protection with a good grippy surface AND cool graphics to customize your tablet. Ill post a picture of mine later.
Kokanee483 said:
ZAGG sells a similar kit that includes a solution in a spray bottle. As well, you can also order the kit with a graphic pattern on it either from the shop or your own custom work, thereby giving you protection with a good grippy surface AND cool graphics to customize your tablet. Ill post a picture of mine later.
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Click to collapse
That's great. I had no idea there were other options. Maybe you should write a review...
CONCLUSION
Xtreme Glass Screen Protector = RM 90. SGP GlasT RM140. Owns SGP Ultra Crystal and Ultra Oleo.
No impact on functionality.
Scratch Resistant, not scratch proof.
Love the feel of the screen.
Wish it was cheaper since malaysian product.
Not too easy to remove.
Works with most cases.
Would recommend product? Yes. If you read entire review and can look past above cons. (See removal info)
Full in depth review and pictures (lots of pics) at here :
http://underratedandroidgames.blogspot.com/2012/05/xtreme-glass-screen-protector-review.html
Bought from https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=2321856
thanks for highlighting this and your review
shame you didn't have experience with glas.t to directly compare but it is always nice to see alternatives to the glas.t.... i know one issue with the glas.t protector is that you only have one shot at placing it so this is a welcoming entry
I have done own installation with 3m privacy protector... may i know if the feeling on the screen is comparable to that?
Dont know how your film feels but this is like.glass. Update my newton rings came back.... Seller agreed to replace.... Will now see how easy it is to remove. Tried heating up and using nails but wont budge. I guess cuz its glass.. Will try to use masking tap and hair dryer.
UPDATE : After 3 days of failing to remove the screen protector myself i finally contacted the seller who came to meet me to remove the Xtreme glass screen protector. I had tried heating it up. Prying it out with a screw driver and needle. All failures. Matter of fact i damaged my note's beezel. Was in panic mode. The seller took 5 seconds to remove the screen protector using only his nails. LOL. Make me look like a moron. But kudos to the seller. Now that its removed i see why the hairdryer did not work. The glue used is the normal double sided tape glue and its a very very thin layer along the sides. So sliding it off your phone wont work. The best and easiest way apparently is to just pry it open with your nails!
Baronic said:
CONCLUSION
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If it was SO good, why did you remove it?
agree why did the problem arise? What did the seller say about the problem?
however compared to the other glass.t protector, at least you can reapply.
I read in the Glass.t thread even after being very careful applying, some people found dust under the protector..but then you're stuck cause you cant pull it off and reapply
I guess with this you can lift off and use scotch tape to remove the dust from underneath ??
i didnt say it was SOOOO good. there were pros and cons. lol. I took it out cuz i decided i didnt like that metallic style borders. i wanted mine plain. so i decided to try GlasT as well so i can compare side by side.
now that i have glasT, the main obvious differences for me is
The type of glue used. GlasT is silicone based glue and it sticks evenly everywhere in the screen like a normal screen protector. The Xtreme however only has adhesive double sided like, at the sides. Which means there is actually a little gap between the X Treme glass and the note's screen. So if its humid and u aint careful i think the Xtreme can get newton rings pretty easily. No such issue on GlasT.
However i noticed the GlasT is actually easier to get smudges on compared to the Xtreme glass SP. The type of the glass is different as well, judging by knocking my nails against them. The Xtreme felt much more harder, brittle like, while the SGP GlasT felt a little softer.
Baronic said:
i didnt say it was SOOOO good. there were pros and cons. lol. I took it out cuz i decided i didnt like that metallic style borders. i wanted mine plain. so i decided to try GlasT as well so i can compare side by side.
now that i have glasT, the main obvious differences for me is
The type of glue used. GlasT is silicone based glue and it sticks evenly everywhere in the screen like a normal screen protector. The Xtreme however only has adhesive double sided like, at the sides. Which means there is actually a little gap between the X Treme glass and the note's screen. So if its humid and u aint careful i think the Xtreme can get newton rings pretty easily. No such issue on GlasT.
However i noticed the GlasT is actually easier to get smudges on compared to the Xtreme glass SP. The type of the glass is different as well, judging by knocking my nails against them. The Xtreme felt much more harder, brittle like, while the SGP GlasT felt a little softer.
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Thanks for your honest update man
So i guess your recommendation would be the Glass.t then..
DBA is a lesser-known company specializing in phone cases and screen protectors. One of their newer products, the "Just Like Glass®" screen protector promises to be the best screen protector you'll ever have.
Here's what Scott of DBA has to say about the screen protector:
We also had an independent third party test directly against ZAGG and destroyed them.
Testing with Laser Beams for distortion, regular glass of course had 0, Just Like Glass had 11.50, and Zagg had 666.
ZAGG doesn't even claim to increase the break resistance of the glass while ours has tested for an increase of near 40%.
In a wear test equivalent to putting it in and out of your pocket ZAGG showed wear after 345 times and our showed no wear even after 10,000.
ZAGG is more scratch resistant but at the cost of creating the distortion. And the difference isn't that great.
Just like glass screen protectors are stain proof. You can get makeup on the, dirt, oil, dye, etc... and you can wipe it off. ZAGG you can't. I personally tested ours with a black sharpie (not really the best decision looking back on it) and it did come off with a little elbow grease.
As far as being smoother than glass, if you use glass as the baseline Just Like Glass is 20% smoother while ZAGG was -147%. You can really feel it.
Ours don't have the orange peel effect that ZAGG does.
I wouldn't be doing this at all if I didn't have something that I would use and that was better than everything else.
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It's a wet-application (like ZAGG), but the included application kit makes it easy. This protector covers the viewing area, allowing it to work with cases perfectly.
It looks very promising and costs only $13.50 (by comparison, the ZAGG protector is $14.99).
Here's the site: DBA "Just Like Glass®"
I had a heck of a time getting it out of the plastic and in the process it got dimples from trying to pull it out. I contacted them to see if they will get a replacement sent out what a bad experience because they decided to make the plastic bag it comes in too damn tight with no leeway at all. The other con I noticed is it says to use a hard card but it does not come with one so I used the squeeze I have from Skinomi that I used on the Transformer Prime tablet.
Now I do have to admit it does feel like glass and not the soft rubbery feel I am use to with my mothers Skinomi. I always hate how the Skinomi drags on the tablet but this no drag at all. I will let you know how customer support is like after contacting them for a replacement for this one that got dimpled getting it out of the too tight plastic bag. Next time I will use a knife to cut the bag instead of trying to pull it out.
Oh and one more thing no sensitivity decrease at all that I can tell. I will try to get some pictures of it with my mothers camera to post but just to let you know it just a few mm larger than the screen so only covers the screen so great for cases.
I also tested the permanent marker on a piece of the excess plastic that I pulled it from and the marker after drying wiped right off so definitely appears to hold up to the claim of stain proof.
I guarantee you they will have issues calling it glass. You guys have no idea how dumb people are when it comes to these things.
Now I'm curious.
How was the fit on the screen? Full to the edge coverage? Custom cutouts or just a chunk cut out?
I'm interested in this. Anyone else who bought willing to share?
Ok here is the pictures I promised. BTW I was not able to attach the pictures here got a security token was missing error.. any idea why? I was only able to attach picture by uploading from a picture site like Photobucket. Anyways I think I did a pretty good job of these pictures and you will see the 3 blemishes/dimples I caused pulling the protector out of the plastic but it came out better than I thought it would for only my second wet application install.
The fit is just about 1-2 mm larger than the screen so it only covers the screen and really works well with my case. The case is quite narrow for one with a kickstand and been very happy with the $10 purchase for it.
pmoradi2002 said:
I guarantee you they will have issues calling it glass. You guys have no idea how dumb people are when it comes to these things.
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Everyone in every retail setting will tell you customers are dumb. Letting those customers know on a forum is a bad thing for your business.
From the DBA website, it appears that this is a fairly new company; a start-up by one individual. Do we have any independent evaluation of his claims regarding his screen protector and cases?
So this only covers the screen area and not the full frontal glass?
kuratsu said:
So this only covers the screen area and not the full frontal glass?
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Yes just like the pictures show. You can see the edges on the top down view of the phone. It's the area I was worried about and it is not rubbery or tacky like on my mothers Skinomi.
Century21J said:
:good:
I'm guessing that's what the other guy did for spectre?
this looks promising. the thing i hate about wet application is the tacky feel to it. but if this promises to be "just like glass", might be worth trying it out.
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Click to collapse
Yeah it's not a bad price and definitely not rubbery/tacky at all. BTW if you have any other questions on it let me know I'll answer to the best of my knowledge this was my first actual review so hope I covered all the bases in what was important to know Hope it was useful to you all.
Just Like Glass Screen Protectors
Hey all,
I'm not really new but I tend to post on other forums. I come here for the good stuff on rooting.
I'm the CEO of DBA Cases, Inc.
I did start the company, however I had several investors. After having an Original Droid, a Bionic, and a Galaxy Nexus I had a very good idea of what people liked.
Personally I hated screen protectors and was not going to sell one until we came up with this. I have it on my phone and love it. It protects against breaks as well - my photographer asked me why I went into making cases so I took the phone out of the case and it squirted out of my hand - hit the wall and then our tile floor. No damage at all to the phone but a very small micro scratch on the Just Like Glass Protector. It probably would have shattered. I've found that the most you can do is give it micro scratches - you can't feel them or see them with the screen on. That's what I got from the fall and it doesn't bother me at all.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Scott
molitar said:
Nice idea but I can not buy any case without a kickstand I watch alot of videos on mine.
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Click to collapse
I completely understand. I wanted to put a kickstand on the Ultra but it would have been too bulky. Also the cost of adding a kickstand is nearly the same amount as making the mold for the case.
I have a different solution I use.
I'm planning on making my own stand but I have them wherever I may need it.
---------- Post added at 10:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:30 PM ----------
While I'm taking pictures...
The Ultra and the Thin Grip
Please ignore the mess behind them.
The case does not look that much skinnier than the Amaze I am using which does have a kickstand.
Promising
Looks pretty cool. How does it keep your screen safe? doest it last well?
SSHGuru said:
How can you tell how thin the cases are from my picture
Stands must be made out of polycarbonate or abs in order to hold the case up. That means some bulk. It doesn't have to be a ton but I looked into a ton of stands and didn't decide to do it.
I wanted to - in fact I was going to make a stand of the same material they use in snap watches would would be made of TPU. Press a button and the stand comes out and can bend.
Problem is that it increases the cost of the case by at least $10,000. In fact I was talking to the CEO of another case company last week and he said it took three molds to make his stand. That's a ton of money.
Since I had a budget I decided to do without - some day.
Both of my cases could not be any thinner than they are.
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Click to collapse
I was looking at the depth where the camera lens is. Yes it is a thinner but I was just commenting not that much thinner considering that the Amaze is a bit thicker with the kickstand. I really am impressed how thin the Amaze is with a kickstand as most are bulky considerably with a kickstand. The sides look the same almost in width as yours but the back is probably about twice as thick as yours due to the kickstand. It may not be a very strong kickstand but strong enough for regular use as long as don't drop it with it out as it has the really skinny piece of support plastic that holds it open the other part of the kickstand is quite thick. The stand itself is about 2mm thick and the plastic support is only I would say about 1mm thick.
Now the screwdriver portion was not that impressive as there is no way to tell how much force is being used each time. But the screwdriver and rotary was quite impressive as there was no getting around how hard the screen was being hit by that key. The only thing I notice is the oil from my hands tends to smudge the screen more than the glass but for the protection I can live with that but would be nice if they found a way to eliminate some of the smudges with it. Other than that really happy with the screen and registering on the site for the replacement so I can get this one replaced without the 4 dimple spots. BTW a video installing it would be a good idea I used the shower method in bathroom for dust and lint.
molitar said:
I was looking at the depth where the camera lens is. Yes it is a thinner but I was just commenting not that much thinner considering that the Amaze is a bit thicker with the kickstand. I really am impressed how thin the Amaze is with a kickstand as most are bulky considerably with a kickstand. The sides look the same almost in width as yours but the back is probably about twice as thick as yours due to the kickstand. It may not be a very strong kickstand but strong enough for regular use as long as don't drop it with it out as it has the really skinny piece of support plastic that holds it open the other part of the kickstand is quite thick. The stand itself is about 2mm thick and the plastic support is only I would say about 1mm thick.
Now the screwdriver portion was not that impressive as there is no way to tell how much force is being used each time. But the screwdriver and rotary was quite impressive as there was no getting around how hard the screen was being hit by that key. The only thing I notice is the oil from my hands tends to smudge the screen more than the glass but for the protection I can live with that but would be nice if they found a way to eliminate some of the smudges with it. Other than that really happy with the screen and registering on the site for the replacement so I can get this one replaced without the 4 dimple spots. BTW a video installing it would be a good idea I used the shower method in bathroom for dust and lint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are going to do a video soon for installing but the instructions on the site are the newest versions. Doing it in the shower is the safest method but if I suggest it people probably will freak out about how hard it is when it's really pretty easy.
In the video that was a glass puncher. I know it's hard to tell how hard it's being pushed but it's the same force. One is done on the film which stops the force and one on the glass which does not. The key test was pretty intense and then taking the rotary to it was cool. (if people are wondering it's on the Facebook page).
Samsung with the Galaxy Nexus and the S3 have made great glass that doesn't pick up prints. The one irritation about the protector I have is that it does. Not terribly but I'm used to not worrying about it. We are working on a way to get rid of the micro scratches and the fingerprints. The problem is if we add a layer it makes it feel more plastic and ruins the visibility. It has to be a chemistry solution and I didn't take chemistry in college so I just ask them to try...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151389828738942
I wonder how these screen protectors compare to the ZAGG EXTREME
The Product
Product Page
CRYSTAL ARMOR Ultra Thin Full Flat Tempered Glass Protector. Claimed to be the worlds thinnest; so thin, in fact, that they claim that a sensor hole cutout is necessary. Of course, it comes at a price. And that is a wallet gouging ¥5,000. Although on the product page they say that the shipping is included, they still said they had to charge me another ¥250. So I ended up paying ¥5,250 for a single sheet of glass...
They seem to have made the shipping free so it is "only" ¥5,000 now which makes me feel ripped off.
UPDATE: It's actually a promotion apparently for this month as their nice rep informed me.
The customer support at Crystal Armor is great. The English support team swiftly answered my inquiries, and even emailed me when I ordered a second one to double check if it was a mistake or not
First Look
It came in a huge box (for a screen protector anyway) with a ton of bubble wrap.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
You think I'm kidding?
I tentatively open the package to reveal...
Nothing but the screen protector.
It's packaged nicely and all, but I can't help but feel a bit let down to find nothing else included in a ¥5,000 product. There is only film over the adhesive side of the protector too
Its thinness is something else though. This still has the protective film on.
A quick mockup shows the fitment to be spot on
Anti Shatter Film Removal
I found the corner to be the easiest to lift.
It's just peeling from now on.
Goodbye Sony logo.
Ahhhh, real glass!
I first thought I used too much WD-40 to clean the glass, but it turns out that even nail polish remover wasn't enough. After multiple passes with optical cleaning towel and nail polish remover, the screen only looks clean. A quick wipe with a cheap microfiber towel reveals tons of lint stuck onto the glass, and the glass feels slightly sticky to the touch, especially at the edges. Running water over the glass shows spots at the corners where the residue still remains, as the water flows around the spots.
After more rubbing with nail polish remover the spots seem to have mostly disappeared, but the screen still feels slightly sticky. Maybe the residue will wear off after a week of usage, but so far I have to recommend prospective ASF removers to put a screen protector over the bare glass.
I've given up for now. I'll just install the protector right over without worrying about the residue since it's not visible anyways. I just washed the towels and letting them to dry, and I'll get the protector installed in my washroom after my shower tonight to be as safe as possible. It is an expensive single usage protector after all.
On a side note, if you do this to your dock you'll be able to use it even with a thick screen protector
The Big Mistake
Well I think I've just made the biggest f***up in my Android related life. So badly that I managed to actually crack the glass protector
But instead of mourning for the new wound in my wallet, I'll have to make the best of this broken piece of glass and make a cracked screen protector review until the replacement arrives.
First of all, the screen protector is seriously thin. Keep in mind that this is my first glass screen protector, but this is definitely much thinner than the glass protector that my friend has on his Z1. It's so thin that it still fits in the magnetic charging dock, although I don't recommend this, as the dock scuffs up the rear ASF enough already without the added thickness. The thinness combined with the rounded edges make this feel extremely smooth at the edges, and my fingers glide on and off the edges like its nothing.
Speaking of gliding, the oleophobic coating is nice and slick. I've been rubbing my fingers and palms over it and the coating isn't letting up. I'm sure I've put enough finger oils on it to equal a month's usage and all I've been doing is wiping it off with a shirt and it's still holding up very well.
The size of the screen protector is pretty much exactly the size of the display glass so you must be extremely careful while installing it. Because I ruined mine I just quickly matched 2 edges on one side and put it down. I highly urge everyone to use the masking tape hinge method and take your time to hexacheck for a perfect fitment. Yes you can peel it off and reapply but you have an extremely high chance of cracking your glass. The protector is flexible to a degree but definitely not enough for you to peel it off the screen unless you are some master at peeling off protectors with minimal angle.
My heart bled as I folded this screen protector in half for the sake of science.
As you can see, the protector does not shatter, so it does a perfectly fine job as a replacement for your factory anti shatter film.
In an extreme case of folding in the edge like a page in a book, a very small piece of glass detached itself from the glass but proved to be harmless like the glass particles that also fell out of the cracks.
And of course I had to forget the scratch test. The protector, while having cracks all over, laughed at the futility of the multiple knives from around the house but was ultimately defeated by 150 grit sandpaper which left scratches too small for me to bother to attempt to capture with a camera. Back to the garbage can it goes.
Hope you all benefited from my stupidity and failure. I will now cry myself to sleep. This ends my preliminary review of the Crystal Armor Ultra Thin Full Flat Luxury Edge 0.2mm Screen Protector (WORD’S THINNEST!) with Chemically Strengthened Tempered Glass and Oleophobic Super Slick Surface and I still can’t post external links.
The ASF Free Experience
Feels good to be touching actual glass :angel:
But because there is no coating on the glass, fingerprints and smudges build up very very quickly, and I had to clean it frequently. Because there's no coating on it there's a bit of friction against your fingertips. I'm sure that some Rain-X or some sort of glass sealant will make the screen a lot more smooth (friction wise, there's no texture on the glass obviously).
Now don't expect the display to magically improve without the ASF. It doesn't become more vibrant, bright, or have any better viewing angles.
But don't think that removing the ASF is pretty much pointless and is a stupid move. The ASF is a stupid move. Unless you slap a screen protector over the ASF as soon as you get the phone, you are going to get scratches because the ASF is so soft. So I got fed up with the marks and decided to just remove it. Now you have glass that is actually hard. Some people are just anti-protector and that's perfectly fine. The Dragontrail glass is tough and it's not gonna get scratched that easily. I think running the bare glass with some sort of sealant, oleophobic coating , or a mix you'll have a nice feeling anti-fingerprint glass. Just reapply when the coating wears off.
Round 2
They included a microfiber cloth this time (I wonder if they read my review )
The tab for peeling off the protective film is also a lot easier to peel off this time.
I couldn't use the hinge method to install this protector because the duct tape just won't stick. Not sure if it's a good thing because the coating is strong or if it's a bad thing because I misaligned thanks to not having a hinge.
Also trapped a spec of fiber, which ironically is probably from the microfiber cloth they provided... Luckily it's so small that I can only find it with my face about 8cm from the screen.
Having this protector on is also definitely visible, due to the rounded corners
Also leaks a bit of light at the side like the edge of a lit acrylic panel (reference)
The coating is indeed very smooth in case I haven't mentioned it enough. My fingers glide on it with pretty much no friction, and because the screen is now raised a bit I don't feel the ridge at the end of the screen anymore. And because it's so smooth you don't have to use much force on the screen so it leaves even less marks. All the pictures I've taken are after 1 day of use and no cleaning at all. And I went snowboarding with it and it didn't crack so don't think its weak just because I goofed the first time.
My camera lens is 14-24mm which is useless for macro so here's a video for you guys
You can find it on their site
Short Term Experience
In the first week, it was oleophobic heaven. Super slick, almost completely fingerprint-proof. The few smudges come off extremely easily.
Towards the end of week 2 it has become less oleophobic. It's not extremely slick like new but it is still very good. Smudges and prints come off just from taking the phone out of the pocket.
End of week 3 had me a bit worried. Has the oleophobic coating worn off already? Fingerprints go on pretty easily and it is not very slick. Then I realized that in this entire time I have not once cleaned the screen with any cleaning solution, only wiping it down with a microfiber cloth.
So I did that and the slickness is back. It feels more like week 2... At least for a few days.
So now I clean the screen regularly and when the screen is clean it's much easier to wipe off fingerprints.
TO BE CONTINUED FOR LONG TERM RESULTS
Well thanks to xda rules I can't post any pictures....
And I have to wait 5 minutes between posts...
This is too much for me to take :crying:
Need the pictures. Or just upload it somewhere else, then put the link here. Thanks so much anyway.
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk
omegahanggara said:
Need the pictures. Or just upload it somewhere else, then put the link here. Thanks so much anyway.
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk
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xda won't allow external links even to pictures until I get 10 posts, and I can only post once every 5 minutes.
Winrahr said:
xda won't allow external links even to pictures until I get 10 posts, and I can only post once every 5 minutes.
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ok, so lets keep chatting here untill you get 10 posts!
how was the placing of the screen protector? the nillkin has almost 2 millimiters gaps from the sides so it's quite easy to fit, but it doesn't cover the whole screen though... but still almost all of it, it looks good.
shteren said:
ok, so lets keep chatting here untill you get 10 posts!
how was the placing of the screen protector? the nillkin has almost 2 millimiters gaps from the sides so it's quite easy to fit, but it doesn't cover the whole screen though... but still almost all of it, it looks good.
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Click to collapse
And we shall!
It seems to cover exactly the entire screen but I'll check more precisely when I put it on.
Well I think I've just made the biggest f***up in my Android related life. So badly that I managed to actually crack the glass protector
But instead of mourning for the new wound in my wallet, I'll have to make the best of this broken piece of glass and make a cracked screen protector review until the replacement arrives.
First of all, the screen protector is seriously thin. Keep in mind that this is my first glass screen protector, but this is definitely much thinner than the glass protector that my friend has on his Z1. It's so thin that it still fits in the magnetic charging dock, although I don't recommend this, as the dock scuffs up the rear ASF enough already without the added thickness. The thinness combined with the rounded edges make this feel extremely smooth at the edges, and my fingers glide on and off the edges like its nothing.
(pic)
Speaking of gliding, the oleophobic coating is nice and slick. I've been rubbing my fingers and palms over it and the coating isn't letting up. I'm sure I've put enough finger oils on it to equal a month's usage and all I've been doing is wiping it off with a shirt and it's still holding up very well.
The size of the screen protector is pretty much exactly the size of the display glass so you must be extremely careful while installing it. Because I ruined mine I just quickly matched 2 edges on one side and put it down. I highly urge everyone to use the masking tape hinge method and take your time to hexacheck for a perfect fitment. Yes you can peel it off and reapply but you have an extremely high chance of cracking your glass. The protector is flexible to a degree but definitely not enough for you to peel it off the screen unless you are some master at peeling off protectors with minimal angle.
My heart bled as I folded this screen protector in half for the sake of science.
(pic)
As you can see (well you can't because I only have 9 posts), the protector does not shatter, so it does a perfectly fine job as a replacement for your factory anti shatter film.
In an extreme case of folding in the edge like a page in a book, a very small piece of glass detached itself from the glass but proved to be harmless like the glass particles that also fell out of the cracks.
(pic)
And of course I had to forget the scratch test. The protector, while having cracks all over, laughed at the futility of the multiple knives from around the house but was ultimately defeated by 150 grit sandpaper which left scratches too small for me to bother to attempt to capture with a camera. Back to the garbage can it goes.
Hope you all benefited from my stupidity and failure. I will now cry myself to sleep. This ends my preliminary review of the Crystal Armor Ultra Thin Full Flat Luxury Edge 0.2mm Screen Protector (WORD’S THINNEST!) with Chemically Strengthened Tempered Glass and Oleophobic Super Slick Surface and I still can’t post external links.
Winrahr said:
Well I think I've just made the biggest f***up in my Android related life. So badly that I managed to actually crack the glass protector
But instead of mourning for the new wound in my wallet, I'll have to make the best of this broken piece of glass and make a cracked screen protector review until the replacement arrives.
First of all, the screen protector is seriously thin. Keep in mind that this is my first glass screen protector, but this is definitely much thinner than the glass protector that my friend has on his Z1. It's so thin that it still fits in the magnetic charging dock, although I don't recommend this, as the dock scuffs up the rear ASF enough already without the added thickness. The thinness combined with the rounded edges make this feel extremely smooth at the edges, and my fingers glide on and off the edges like its nothing.
(pic)
Speaking of gliding, the oleophobic coating is nice and slick. I've been rubbing my fingers and palms over it and the coating isn't letting up. I'm sure I've put enough finger oils on it to equal a month's usage and all I've been doing is wiping it off with a shirt and it's still holding up very well.
The size of the screen protector is pretty much exactly the size of the display glass so you must be extremely careful while installing it. Because I ruined mine I just quickly matched 2 edges on one side and put it down. I highly urge everyone to use the masking tape hinge method and take your time to hexacheck for a perfect fitment. Yes you can peel it off and reapply but you have an extremely high chance of cracking your glass. The protector is flexible to a degree but definitely not enough for you to peel it off the screen unless you are some master at peeling off protectors with minimal angle.
My heart bled as I folded this screen protector in half for the sake of science.
(pic)
As you can see (well you can't because I only have 9 posts), the protector does not shatter, so it does a perfectly fine job as a replacement for your factory anti shatter film.
In an extreme case of folding in the edge like a page in a book, a very small piece of glass detached itself from the glass but proved to be harmless like the glass particles that also fell out of the cracks.
(pic)
And of course I had to forget the scratch test. The protector, while having cracks all over, laughed at the futility of the multiple knives from around the house but was ultimately defeated by 150 grit sandpaper which left scratches too small for me to bother to attempt to capture with a camera. Back to the garbage can it goes.
Hope you all benefited from my stupidity and failure. I will now cry myself to sleep. This ends my preliminary review of the Crystal Armor Ultra Thin Full Flat Luxury Edge 0.2mm Screen Protector (WORD’S THINNEST!) with Chemically Strengthened Tempered Glass and Oleophobic Super Slick Surface and I still can’t post external links.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's too bad that you cracked you screen protector, I cheer for you haha.
Well at least if the ultra thin is working like you said, I don't have to fear anything with the 0.33mm one. Thanks! By the way, take time to post one more time and you're good to go with the pictures, show us your baby!
Will be waiting for teh pictures!
Really wanting to buy this, front and back, to replace my <1week old nillkin tempered.
curious
I hope you can post the pics.... so add this reply to the count.:victory:
Boop. 10th post.
OP will now be updated with pictures
I think the greatest weakness of the 0.2mm will be its... weakness. The thinness probably makes it more prone to cracking than the thicker protectors, but it is also probably more flexible, so who knows. It's definitely not super fragile though, I was just being stupid.
Also want to add that the customer support at Crystal Armor is great. The English support team swiftly answered my inquiries, and even emailed me when I ordered a second one to double check if it was a mistake or not :good:
So while I wait for the second protector to come in, I'll be using the phone without an ASF and I'll do a writeup on that in a few days as well.
I still have the cracked protector so if anyone wants me to do some testing with it let me know
Winrahr said:
The Product
CRYSTAL ARMOR Ultra Thin Full Flat Tempered Glass Protector. Claimed to be the worlds thinnest; so thin, in fact, that they claim that a sensor hole cutout is necessary. Of course, it comes at a price. And that is a wallet gouging ¥5,000. Although on the product page they say that the shipping is included, they still said they had to charge me another ¥250. So I ended up paying ¥5,250 for a single sheet of glass...
They seem to have made the shipping free so it is "only" ¥5,000 now which makes me feel ripped off.
UPDATE: It's actually a promotion apparently for this month as their nice rep informed me.
The customer support at Crystal Armor is great. The English support team swiftly answered my inquiries, and even emailed me when I ordered a second one to double check if it was a mistake or not
First Look
It came in a huge box (for a screen protector anyway) with a ton of bubble wrap.
You think I'm kidding?
I tentatively open the package to reveal...
Nothing but the screen protector.
It's packaged nicely and all, but I can't help but feel a bit let down to find nothing else included in a ¥5,000 product. There is only film over the adhesive side of the protector too
Its thinness is something else though. This still has the protective film on.
A quick mockup shows the fitment to be spot on
Anti Shatter Film Removal
I found the corner to be the easiest to lift.
It's just peeling from now on.
Goodbye Sony logo.
Ahhhh, real glass!
I first thought I used too much WD-40 to clean the glass, but it turns out that even nail polish remover wasn't enough. After multiple passes with optical cleaning towel and nail polish remover, the screen only looks clean. A quick wipe with a cheap microfiber towel reveals tons of lint stuck onto the glass, and the glass feels slightly sticky to the touch, especially at the edges. Running water over the glass shows spots at the corners where the residue still remains, as the water flows around the spots.
After more rubbing with nail polish remover the spots seem to have mostly disappeared, but the screen still feels slightly sticky. Maybe the residue will wear off after a week of usage, but so far I have to recommend prospective ASF removers to put a screen protector over the bare glass.
I've given up for now. I'll just install the protector right over without worrying about the residue since it's not visible anyways. I just washed the towels and letting them to dry, and I'll get the protector installed in my washroom after my shower tonight to be as safe as possible. It is an expensive single usage protector after all.
On a side note, if you do this to your dock you'll be able to use it even with a thick screen protector
The Big Mistake
Well I think I've just made the biggest f***up in my Android related life. So badly that I managed to actually crack the glass protector
But instead of mourning for the new wound in my wallet, I'll have to make the best of this broken piece of glass and make a cracked screen protector review until the replacement arrives.
First of all, the screen protector is seriously thin. Keep in mind that this is my first glass screen protector, but this is definitely much thinner than the glass protector that my friend has on his Z1. It's so thin that it still fits in the magnetic charging dock, although I don't recommend this, as the dock scuffs up the rear ASF enough already without the added thickness. The thinness combined with the rounded edges make this feel extremely smooth at the edges, and my fingers glide on and off the edges like its nothing.
Speaking of gliding, the oleophobic coating is nice and slick. I've been rubbing my fingers and palms over it and the coating isn't letting up. I'm sure I've put enough finger oils on it to equal a month's usage and all I've been doing is wiping it off with a shirt and it's still holding up very well.
The size of the screen protector is pretty much exactly the size of the display glass so you must be extremely careful while installing it. Because I ruined mine I just quickly matched 2 edges on one side and put it down. I highly urge everyone to use the masking tape hinge method and take your time to hexacheck for a perfect fitment. Yes you can peel it off and reapply but you have an extremely high chance of cracking your glass. The protector is flexible to a degree but definitely not enough for you to peel it off the screen unless you are some master at peeling off protectors with minimal angle.
My heart bled as I folded this screen protector in half for the sake of science.
As you can see, the protector does not shatter, so it does a perfectly fine job as a replacement for your factory anti shatter film.
In an extreme case of folding in the edge like a page in a book, a very small piece of glass detached itself from the glass but proved to be harmless like the glass particles that also fell out of the cracks.
And of course I had to forget the scratch test. The protector, while having cracks all over, laughed at the futility of the multiple knives from around the house but was ultimately defeated by 150 grit sandpaper which left scratches too small for me to bother to attempt to capture with a camera. Back to the garbage can it goes.
Hope you all benefited from my stupidity and failure. I will now cry myself to sleep. This ends my preliminary review of the Crystal Armor Ultra Thin Full Flat Luxury Edge 0.2mm Screen Protector (WORD’S THINNEST!) with Chemically Strengthened Tempered Glass and Oleophobic Super Slick Surface and I still can’t post external links.
TO BE CONTINUED
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Click to collapse
sorry to see that buddy.... try nillkin next time it's smaller than the screen so it's very easy to fit, i did it without hinges, and it's also super slick, i sometimes have a hard time texting cos my fingers are sliding on the glass...
I don't see how a smaller screen protector makes it easier to fit, having to match the spacing on each side will definitely test the very limits of my patience, and I know I'll mess up and get reminded of my mistake every single time I use the phone.
Also can you please unquote the OP? That's a huge quote.
I have just received my front and back protector from Crystal Armour. For the front I got the 0,2mm version and for the back 0,33mm.
Later I will show you some photos.
I uploaded a comparison between Glass M and Crystal Armour, both 0,2mm thin, you can see there the difference in size of the protector.
I like that the CA haven't got a proximity sensor cut out, it is working without any issues.
And for the back protector I have to say, no flash cut out and no flash-light bleeding in photos.
masterv1 said:
I have just received my front and back protector from Crystal Armour. For the front I got the 0,2mm version and for the back 0,33mm.
Later I will show you some photos.
I uploaded a comparison between Glass M and Crystal Armour, both 0,2mm thin, you can see there the difference in size of the protector.
I like that the CA haven't got a proximity sensor cut out, it is working without any issues.
And for the back protector I have to say, no flash cut out and no flash-light bleeding in photos.
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Click to collapse
Nice info. Any pictures of the back glass? I was contemplating getting it but I'm not sure if I even need glass on the back side.
Winrahr said:
Nice info. Any pictures of the back glass? I was contemplating getting it but I'm not sure if I even need glass on the back side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the feel of the back with the glass, because of rounded edges. Also less fingerprints and it's easy to remove them.
Before the glass I had a foil, I disliked it, because of scratches and fingerprints, it looked very cheap.
masterv1 said:
I like the feel of the back with the glass, because of rounded edges. Also less fingerprints and it's easy to remove them.
Before the glass I had a foil, I disliked it, because of scratches and fingerprints, it looked very cheap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm.. My main concern for the back is the fingerprints so maybe a good oleophobic coating on the glass after removing the ASF would be good... Or I could just get a cheap rear glass...
Speaking of the ASF, I've been using my bare screen for a while so I'll talk a little about it.
Feels good to be touching actual glass :angel:
But because there is no coating on the glass, fingerprints and smudges build up very very quickly, and I had to clean it frequently. Because there's no coating on it there's a bit of friction against your fingertips. I'm sure that some Rain-X or some sort of glass sealant will make the screen a lot more smooth (friction wise, there's no texture on the glass obviously).
Now don't expect the display to magically improve without the ASF. It doesn't become more vibrant, bright, or have any better viewing angles.
But don't think that removing the ASF is pretty much pointless and is a stupid move. The ASF is a stupid move. Unless you slap a screen protector over the ASF as soon as you get the phone, you are going to get scratches because the ASF is so soft. So I got fed up with the marks and decided to just remove it. Now you have glass that is actually hard. Some people are just anti-protector and that's perfectly fine. The Dragontrail glass is tough and it's not gonna get scratched that easily. I think running the bare glass with some sort of sealant, oleophobic coating , or a mix you'll have a nice feeling anti-fingerprint glass. Just reapply when the coating wears off.
shteren said:
sorry to see that buddy.... try nillkin next time it's smaller than the screen so it's very easy to fit, i did it without hinges, and it's also super slick, i sometimes have a hard time texting cos my fingers are sliding on the glass...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please quote wisely !!!
I'm about to order one of these too since it's the only one that doesn't have those ugly cutouts.
Did you order them from this page: apeiros.stores.jp?
I tried ordering from Japanese Amazon but they wouldn't ship them outside of Japan unfortunately.
I'm thinking of getting the front & back set since their camera opening also looks pretty snug on the back. Slightly worried about the flash though.
Any new pictures?
Anon of Holland said:
I'm about to order one of these too since it's the only one that doesn't have those ugly cutouts.
Did you order them from this page: apeiros.stores.jp?
I tried ordering from Japanese Amazon but they wouldn't ship them outside of Japan unfortunately.
I'm thinking of getting the front & back set since their camera opening also looks pretty snug on the back. Slightly worried about the flash though.
Any new pictures?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep you need to order from their page here which is specifically for out of Japan orders.
Then just put in your info like normal and don't worry about the state. You can repeat all the info in the comments field just in case.
I'm actually picking the new one up today and I'll have new pictures up soon. I didn't buy the back though.
There is actually no 0.2mm version set so you'll have to purchase the back glass separately here.
For those who want stylish drop-protection and scratch resistant screen protection, here's a review and installation guide/tips for the Ultimate Shield® Front Shield Invisible Screen Protector and the Spigen Tough Armor Black (Built-in Kickstand).
The products...
Ultimate Shield® Google Pixel 2 XL FRONT SHIELD Invisible Screen Protector
Google Pixel 2 XL Case Spigen [Tough Armor] [Black] Built-in Kickstand
A bit of background first, if I may...
My previous OnePlus 5T was the first phone I felt the need to have screen protection (let's just say kitten claws and phone screens don't blend so well....) in addition to good quality drop protection. So when switching to the Google Pixel 2 XL I figured let's play it safe. For a few reasons though when trying out tempered glass protectors on the 5T, I just couldn't settle. I couldn't get over the mirror-like reflection which for me, spoilt the beauty of the display. Several brands later and I found the same disappointing experience (sensitivity issues, fingerprint magnets, poor fit, high reflection etc.). So I decided to try the Ultimate Shield non-glass screen protector. Which I LOVED.
Speaking in the present and with the glorious Pixel 2 XL I wasted no time in purchasing the same Ultimate Shield Screen Protector and high quality Spigen cases combination. Pictured in this review will just be the Tough Armor, though I could upload some pics of the Liquid Crystal clear case if requested.
Installation...
I'm not going to lie, it's not 'easy' as such, but once you nail the technique and with a little hard work you can achieve the results you want. As you may know, the Ultimate Shield (and similar brands like IQ Shield) require a wet installation - that is to say, with the use of slightly soapy water.
You may attempt to follow my instructions to the letter or be inspired to attempt it in a different way, so either way here are my steps that I achieved a near-perfect installation:
DISCLAIMER - these are my steps which I found to be successful - your actions are your responsibility and if you don't trust these steps, simply follow the instructions provided by Ultimate Shield.
1. Humid environment - I ran the shower hot for a short while with the window shut. You want it to be nice and steamy in there which helps all those pesky little dust particles fall to the ground and not float around making their way under your screen. The perfectionists amongst us will not be able to unsee that 1 hair or a collection of dust located anywhere on the screen! In the interest of full disclosure, this was actually my third installation. I don't mind admitting this, but I wish to keep this iIxel perhaps until Pixel 4 XL (IF I can wait that long...) and so I wanted as perfect installation as possible, given it's potential lifespan with me. Plus it always helps resale value too to have a well kept phone. I kept my window shut to avoid any airflow/potential risk of 'contaminants' floating their way in and to maintain humidity.
2. Further dust reduction - Perhaps over-the-top, but I removed my bathroom matt and towels just in case any fibres were floating around from them and I even did the installation topless. Like I say, perhaps over the top but who knows where the little fibres would originate from...
3. Workstation setup - I used the toilet seat (closed and clean of course ) and a wooden chopping block to work on.
4. Tools/stuff you'll need - As the included Ultimate Shied instructions state you'll need a bowl of clean water with a tiny drop of washing up liquid in there. I cleaned the bowl thoroughly (no point in having bits of dust in there to begin with, that would ruin your hard work!) and I even use filtered water. Hell, why not. The tip I'd like to say is don't stir like crazy - don't make bubbles - but instead swirl your finger(s) round slowly and you'll see the the water and washing up liquid mix. If you do make some bubbles let them settle. Or use a spoon and get them out. As these bubbles will just be extra bubbles to squeegee out later. More bubbles, more work. You'll also receive the microfiber cloth and a small squeegee. I like the size of the included squeegee card, but it in my opinion could be a little sturdier, so I used both that and a normal credit card. More on this later.
5. Let's begin - Your bathroom should be nice and steamy by now and you're ready to begin. Feel free to turn the shower off if it's too steamy or just steamy enough. Time is of the essence from the second you peel the screen protector from away from it's film, just in case any rogue particles are floating around on standby ready to attack - so you should be prompt, but similarly, don't rush.
You'll need to wash your hands to ensure you clean any oil/dirt from them. Likewise with the phone. I didn't go as far far as rinsing the phone under the tap, I mean I guess the phone is water resistant but I found the steamy bathroom and wiping the phone with the cloth sufficed. This is your call - but either way this is a critical step. Power down the device and clean that screen and clean it good! Keep checking for any dust/fibers/hairs or whatever may have made its way to your screen. Look at your phone from every angle possible in the light. Really make sure your screen is clear of anything that shouldn't be there.
You're done checking?
No. No you're not.
Seriously - make sure no bits are there!
6. Applying the screen protector - Once your happy with the screen, wet your fingers with the water from the bowl. Wet all of your fingers, from tips to sides. Then carefully begin peeling the screen protector from it's film. Do this carefully. Very carefully. With your wet fingers, peel it slowly and be careful not to stretch it and to emphasise, keep those fingers wet! You don't want any fingerprints on the sticky side of the protector. Once peeled, you can dip it directly in the bowl of water however I found it best to repeatedly wet my fingers and 'stroke' the sticky side (don't get mixed up and forget which is the sticky side...!). If you see any big soapy bubbles on it, try wipe them off with your wet finger but don't worry too much as you should be able to squeegee them out soon. But again, more bubbles, more work... Now check your screen and ensure you're happy there is no bits on there. If you're happy, then proceed to applying the protector.
7. Alignment - Ensure you've definitely put the screen protector on not only the right way round but also that it's not upside down! You'll need to look at the application in multiple angles with good lighting to really check that it's lined up nicely. I found that the beauty of this screen protector is that it is a really good fit. Like right to the edge of the screen and the camera/speaker cut outs are nice. So use these cutouts as reference and take the time to line it properly. Again, keep those fingers wet. They'll soon dry up and you want to avoid touching the exposed sides that haven't stuck down yet (more on that later).
8. Squeegee - Now it's time to get those trapped bubbles/water out. Use the included squeegee card or a credit card, whichever you prefer, with the microfiber cloth wrapped around it. This makes your squeegeeing less harsh on the surface of the screen protector and helps it glide. Hold your phone still and press firmly from the centre to the edges. Now then, do this assertively but with caution. A few key tips:
- You want to press hard enough to get the water out, but as you release the trapped water the screen protector will be binding itself to the screen and begin to settle in it's position. So 2 things here to be mindful of: while there's water still under there and as you are squeegeeing, the protector may move around - ensure you maintain good alignment. Secondly, as water is released it will keep it's place so again, ensure you have good alignment. If not, now is the time to carefully peel it back off (with wet fingers), wet it and try again.
- When squeegeeing, do so with good pressure but not too much. You may get some stubborn bubbles which may require extra force. I found myself alternating between the flat long side of the card and sometimes using the corner for a stubborn bubble - though tread carefully here, as whilst the protector is durable you can 'dent' it a little if too much pressure is applied. As will be seen on my pictures, I've got the slightest dent marks from applying a little too much pressure with the corner of the card. These protectors are supposed to be "self-healing" though, so perhaps overtime the dent may come out, as with the bubbles which are also said to take some time to go away. We'll see...
- Take extra care around the speaker/camera lens cutouts. I found these areas, especially the around the speaker, not to stick down straight away and on my first install attempt I kinked it a little stretching it, causing it not to sit flush. So go slowly and keep the applied pressure from the centre to the sides.
If you notice any trapped dust at this point under the protector then carefully remove, remove if possible wet fingers (may even have to use your nail carefully) and try again. Once the protector dries it may be hard to get it off again without stretching it, so bear this in mind.
Give the screen a thorough inspection in good light at all angles. You'll maybe see big bubbles of water and so if so, do your best to squeegee them out. You may see little collections of tiny soapy bubbles. Again, do what you can to remove. Once your happy enough you can let it rest. The screen might not look perfect right now and it will look hazy (keep it powered off still for the time being, for what it's worth) but this haziness should clear up in time and it is said that slight imperfections can take some further time to clear up.
9. The waiting game - the sides may not be sticking down yet but this is normal. It may take an hour or longer for them to begin to stick and so patience is required. A little tip here is be careful where you let it rest whilst the protector dries. I'm talking from experience here, as with my first install I took the phone into my front room just on the table and little bits of dust found themselves under the protector at the sides where it hadn't yet stuck. So my advice and technique to prevent this, is to very loosely wrap the phone up with tinfoil. This prevented any dust getting to it and of course no bits/particles would come from the tinfoil either. I found this to be successful in allowing it to dry in peace.
I left it an hour and checked on it. Carefully use your fingers/thumbs to press down those sides if they are yet to stick down. If an area is still not sticking, press and hold for 10 seconds or so and it should stay. If not, more time may be required.
After patiently waiting overnight, as recommended, I turned my phone back on - it may be safe to turn it on soon after the install, given the device is water resistant, but still I wanted to ensure it was fully dry, the speaker grill for example, just in case.
10. The end result - It is with all of the above steps that I woke up to see most of the haze had gone and I'd managed a near-perfect installation. VERY happy! The sides have stuck down and it really does suit the phone very well. As mentioned, the protector hugs the entire screen - more than the actual display but indeed over the curved edge and it's this which, for me, makes it compatible with Spigen case at least. I still took care in placing the phone in the case, to prevent lifting the protector up but I'm confident that the lip of the case goes well over the protector. You can't see any edges of the protector as it is fully covered by this case, which for me is yet another selling point. Other than the cut out for the camera/speaker etc. you can barely notice it!
So in summary...
Pros
- Precisely cut out
- Fits the phone extremely well
- No loss of sensitivity
- No mirror-like glare (the colourful display remains that way)
- Barely noticeable
- Case compatible (I have only test with the 2 Spigen cases, but I found on my previous OnePLus 5T that these tight fitting cases were the most problematic - this is not the case with this Pixel 2 XL setup)
- Offers great scratch resistance - I keep my phone in my pocket by itself and never with anything else, but I've the extra peace of mind and will avoid any hair-line scratches or scuffs
Cons
- Some may find this a little more time-consuming and complex process than standard protectors or tempered-glass installations, but that's for you decide...
- There is the slightest 'orange peel' effect, but again this really is very slight - at least to me - never noticeable when the screen is on and only really seen if looking hard for it up close
- Whilst this protector offers great scratch resistance I would only use this type of protection with a good case as of course, this protector offers very little in terms of drop protection.
I hope the above guide/review is of use to some people who are looking to protect their device and perhaps wasn't too pleased with tempered glass.
See attached pictures from the morning after the night before. You will see a couple of spots of dust on the screen but these are luckily on the phone and not trapped underneath. Lastly, it is said that any haze/little bubbles can take 24-72 hours to fully disappear, but even after just overnight I am very happy with this setup!
I'm happy to answer any questions or upload any more pictures if requested.
How do you find the Tough Armor case? Are the buttons still easy to press? Does it add much bulk?
RaiderX303 said:
How do you find the Tough Armor case? Are the buttons still easy to press? Does it add much bulk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's my thoughts...
- it does have a slightly bulky feel, feels bigger and heavier than the Liquid Crystal case, but I like it..
- it has sufficient grip but perhaps slightly slippy, not too much though
- the buttons are good but on my opinion could be a little better. The liquid crystal case buttons are clicky and pop out, on the Tough Armor the volume buttons are flush with the side of the case and the power button is rippled, so that's easier to find when feeling for it
- the kickstand is flimsy as they say, but fully functional and serves its purpose well
Overall I absolutely love it. If I could change a few things I would but this has superior drop protection over the Liquid Crystal and in combination with this screen protector I'm confident my phone is well protected
cd993 said:
Here's my thoughts...
- it does have a slightly bulky feel, feels bigger and heavier than the Liquid Crystal case, but I like it..
- it has sufficient grip but perhaps slightly slippy, not too much though
- the buttons are good but on my opinion could be a little better. The liquid crystal case buttons are clicky and pop out, on the Tough Armor the volume buttons are flush with the side of the case and the power button is rippled, so that's easier to find when feeling for it
- the kickstand is flimsy as they say, but fully functional and serves its purpose well
Overall I absolutely love it. If I could change a few things I would but this has superior drop protection over the Liquid Crystal and in combination with this screen protector I'm confident my phone is well protected
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does it feel? Fingers slide around like the regular screen? How's the fingerprint coating?
G
---------- Post added at 12:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 AM ----------
Price?
G
def-g said:
How does it feel? Fingers slide around like the regular screen? How's the fingerprint coating?
G
---------- Post added at 12:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 AM ----------
Price?
G
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For me, it genuinely feels very natural. Definitely feels different than a tempered glass or having none at all, but it's very smooth and barely noticeable. It's been on device for about 40 hours now and feels well bonded. For me it's good for fingerprints and also not 'mirror-reflective' like some tempered glass. Price is £7.99 on ebay