Develop Bugs

Ghost Armor for Captivate

I had my Samsung Captivate ghost armored at the mall a few weeks after I purchased it. It was around 40 bucks for the whole phone to be protected and came with a lifetime warranty.(If you get a replacement phone, keep the material they charge 10 bucks for re-installation/new material.)
I've had the phone and armor on it for several months now. I'd have to say, it was really not worth the money. After getting the phone done, the edges around the phone didn't feel right in the hand, you could feel the edges the plastic added and it wasn't pleasant. I remedied this with a simple rubber case, almost defeating the purpose of most of the ghost armor.
Today I decided to just take the armor off after having it on for roughly 3-4 months. The screen had began to get little bubbles in it in some places that was sort of annoying, also I sometimes didn't want to have a case on, and the phone as I said before was uncomfortable.
One thing they advertise when you purchase the ghost armor is it reduces the grease your fingers leave on the screen and make it much easier to remove. I experienced the complete opposite, the ghost armor seemed to almost attract even more grease and made it more difficult to "degrease" the screen. The bare screen works much better, it doesn't attract much grease and it's easier to clean.
I also noticed on the screen that were vertical lines in the plastic running over the screen, which was very noticeable when browsing a website or anything that was white. The final thing I noticed is it decreased the sensitivity of the screen. I had to more effort in making sure my fingers touched down on the screen for it to register, I also think it caused to my capacitive buttons on the back to go all out of whack as well.
Overall I would highly suggested not buying Ghost Armor. It's extremely overpriced and I had very many problems with it. I found no other reviews for the Samsung Captivate specifically on this site (or anywhere really), so I thought I'd throw up a quick review. Sorry I took no pictures, I never really thought about it.

Thanks for the review. I have seen that at the mall but did not know how well it would work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I have Ghost Armor on my screen and am using the Body Glove case. The Ghost Armor has been on there since July and has worked beautifully. I can't say anything about the protector on the rest of the phone but I can say that my screen is just as sensitive with the protector on as when it was off. And also its just about invisible. But I agree that finger oil does stick to the screen even though they advertise that it doesn't. I'm still happy with the purchase though. 15 bucks for just the screen and installation. They did a way better job than I would've done putting the thing on.

I just thought I'd throw in my $0.02. I agree with the OP when it comes to wrapping a whole phone in that stuff - it does a pretty poor job of adhering through curves and breaks. However, on the screen, I have to say, my wife's iPhone 4 screen protector still looks good after 8 months, and it hasn't peeled. As a screen protector, I think they do an okay job.
These armor protector products all seem to have a similar makeup. The two I've used are BestSkinsEver, and I have a Zagg screen shield on my Captivate (came with it). They seem to have a rubbery texture that attracts fingerprints pretty badly. Plus, they can feel a little sticky.
Worse, they can seem to get stuff stuck in the protector that doesn't come off easily by wiping on your shirt like a typical screen protector does.
Recently, though, I discovered that if you wet a microfiber cloth (or soft tissue) with Eyeglass lens cleaner, it really does a great job of cleaning the protector, and leaves it feeling nice and slick. I bought a 4 oz bottle of it at CVS for like $3, and it works great on my glasses and screen. I figure it's safe for the protector because it's safe for coated, delicate eyeglass lenses, and you only use a little bit on a cloth.

Ghost Armor = Monster Cable = Bose ?

Who Doesn't use a screen protector or case?

Just wondering because I stopped using them with the Captivate. I did get a RealLook when this phone was new but have since dumped it. I have carried the phone in my pocket with coins and even keys at times and nary a scratch. The glass is far better to slide on in its native state.
I never used cases because they made the phone thick and skins only protect against scratches which for a device I may have all of 18 months doesn't matter much. Its a handset not a work of art. LOL One of the features I like best is how thin the handset is and how slick the glass is in it's native state.....
The back case is nearly indestructible and easily replaceable.
So who else doesn't go for the $20 "screen protectors" and $20 cases? The only case I would think would protect a phone in a drop would be a very soft shock absorbing one that doesn't transfer the shck to the device anyway which collects crap and makes it difficult to get out of ones pocket.
As far as resale goes I found I may get $25-$50 less for a phone with wear marks. Less Money that would have been spent on "protective devices anyway...I sold a NEW in the box Captivate for $229 and a used one for $190 with wear...(and am currently looking for a beat up working Captivate for a spare.)

There are a lot of people who doesn't use a 20 US$ case or protective screen. But IMO, that's a bad idea. That screen could get scratched and it also could get damaged if you drop it. All depends on how you care the device. I think it's better to have a protective screen than having a scratch on it.
I care about myself and not on the 'bare' list. Have a protective screen and a CM Tough.
Regards.

ithehappy said:
There are a lot of people who doesn't use a 20 US$ case or protective screen. But IMO, that's a bad idea. That screen could get scratched and it also could get damaged if you drop it. All depends on how you care the device. I think it's better to have a protective screen than having a scratch on it.
I care about myself and not on the 'bare' list. Have a protective screen and a CM Tough.
Regards.
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Same here. Why would I risk a 600$ device for a few bucks?
I don't care if my case make my phone thicker, I'll use a 3200mA battery anway.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

I've never used cases on phones but have ordered a Neo Hybrid today, should be with me by the end of the week...
Dropped the current bane of my existence a number of times, perils of being a biker...
Phone is Wednesday so I'll have a couple days with it bare, I'm optimistic that I'll be converted to a case user... The Neo looks great and before I got lumbered with the BB I was using a Desire so I'm used to that thickness anyway...

OK the question was for those WHO DO NOT use a case...I am well aware of the minions who are anal about scratches and dings or the worrisome drop now and then..
I just wanted to see how many do not use either and just use their handsets as they were designed. I understand completely why those who do buy cases and "screen protectors" do so. I also understand the fear factor used in selling "various highly technological" pieces of clear plastic for $10 for the Gorilla glass.
I actually tried to scratch my glass with a key and could not while a friend watched in horror. LOL "Scratch resistant" is an understatement for Corning's glass. A small scratch would not bother me if it did happen though. But I do know it would take a lot to do so.

I don't really like cases and screen protector. I did not use a case or screen protector for my sgs1 and its always kept in my pocket. After 5 months it got a small scratch on screen and around the casing. I sold it for £180 when I got GS2. I was not planning to get a case for it but after a week scratches on the back appear just from putting on top of the desk and moving it around. I had to buy a case for it which im not really satisfied. I recently bought another case barely there chrome but sent it back coz it looks cheap.
I would prefer no case if only sammy put a different finish on the back. I don't think gs2 will need screen protector as it is glass. it won't get scratch(i hope). If it drops and break. I'll just claim it on the insurance to get it sorted.

I like to feel the phone and how light and thin it is.
But when I'm not using it I have a Mofi case + a DIY Aluminium case to protect it.
+ I'm always very careful with my equipment.

I have dropped my phones (yes, in all of my phones in the past 4 years) a grand total of 2 or 3 times. I take very good care of my phones, but I always at least have a thin case. But one thing that I'll never do is go without a screen protector. If the back or sides scratch, oh well. Value dropped. But if the screen gets scratch, that would bother me until I get a new phone. It ruins the image. So when I'm about to get a new phone, I order off e-cell those cheapo screen protectors that work VERY well, which I never change because they do a very good job! They usually take about 4-5 days to arrive (from the UK to here in Spain). I like those screen protectors, too. Hehe.

I don't use a screen protector or a case. Had the phone about 3 months now, have developed some very light scratches on the screen which you can only see with the display off. I think they're in the oleophobic layer on the outside of the glass and not the screen itself.
Why? Because I can't stand the way a plastic screen protector feels, my finger drags across them and the image is always blurry.

Real benefits of Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Hey guys. I've never used TGSP before. I've always opted for the wet-install self-healing ones and am quite used to those. They do have some cons, but I have felt the pros outweigh them. OTOH, I've never had a $1000 phone and I'm wondering about the true benefit of TGSP.
I realize that a TGSP will give a glass feel and some people opt for it over the others for that sole reason. I'm more interested in the actual protection offered. For sake of this conversation let's dismiss clarity, fingerprints, etc and talk about actual protection offered from impacts (and to a lesser extent scratches, though I think any protector will protect against a scratch).
My questions are:
1) Do those of you using TGSP simply not care about laying the protector in direct contact with the surface? Because it isn't the original screen you aren't as concerned if scratches were to appear? Or the TGSP just have a good enough scratch resistance that you aren't concerned? I ask this because I can see just by looking at many of your user installed pics and looking at the cases on my current phones (different makes/models) and all 16 cases I reviewed here. I would say that none of these cases have a high enough lip that I don't forsee a TGSP making the screen flush (or even past) the lip of the case.
2) How well does a TGSP actually protect against a break of the glass compared to the actual screen? I mean the screens are made of break resistant glass and are much thicker than a TGSP. I have seen quite a few people with phones with what looked like cracked screens, but turned out it was just their TGSP that broke and they hadn't replaced it yet. My belief/guess though is that whatever cracked their TGSP wasn't necessarily powerful enough it would have cracked their actual screen. IOW, I feel that they would break more easily than the actual screen and anything powerful enough to break the actual screen the TGSP probably wouldn't do much. Now saying this I realize it isn't completely useless - there is probably a level of pressure which the TGSP might protect, but clearly it isn't 100%.
I've looked extensively online and found lots of videos that show people surviving stress/drop tests with TGSP. Many times they break, but the phone is undamaged.
I have not found a SINGLE one where they take the same phone, one with TGSP and one with nothing and do the same test. Can anyone point me to any?
I guess many of you might say that it is only $5 for an average one, so why take the risk? I guess there is logic there, but it really isn't $5 if you don't want so many of the issues presented in this thread. You either spend $40+ on a dome or you spend half that for a DIY LOCA install or you suffer with halo, raised edges, etc. Again many of you may argue that even $40 for the Dome is worth the cost just for the piece of mind. Again, there can be logic there - but peace of mind/"just in case" is just that - it isn't fact and I have a really hard time spending the money for what might just be a placebo. I haven't used TGSP in the past and never broke a screen. Additionally, to the best of my knowledge phone screens have only gotten better over time (higher levels of Gorilla Glass, etc) that as time moves on I'm less likely to break one.
Can anyone offer anything more than anecdotal evidence that TGSP really have major benefits in this area? Again, I'm not saying they don't have benefits over other types of protectors, I'm just not convinced that protecting the screen from shattering is one of them.
Thanks.

The TGSP are much smoother than the self healing protectors, the Whitestone Dome is even smoother than the other TGSP that I've tried on the 3XL. I've personally seen several people with the self healing protectors who have dropped their phone and had the screen break. I have never heard of, or seen, anyone breaking the screen with a TGSP installed, the protector breaks instead. As you said there is no real proof on youtube that a TGSP is better than a self healing one so I think we'll have a hard time convincing you that they are worth the money. For me spending $40 to protect the screen on my $1000 device is a no brainer especially considering the quality/coverage of the Dome vs. the others that are available.

Long ago when I bought my first Nexus device, the Nexus one, I used the Zagg invisible shield. I was able to get a perfect application and it was great. The phone was less then a week old when it fell off my night stand and the screen died, the glass didn't break but it didn't work either. It started with a one Pixel width line down the screeb then eventually the screen just stopped showing anything/working all together. I had to send it back for repair. Worst birthday in a long time.
Since then I went off on the long and arduous journey of finding the perfect balance of screen protection and phone protection. Generally I buy several cases and TGSPs when I buy new phones, which is 2-3 times a year.
Since the Nexus one I've had numerous drops, broken TGSPs, and damaged cases but never once have I had to send my phone to get repaired. I'm so adament about it I make all my family/friends get TGSPs and cases. And luckily everyone I know minus one guy who goes swimming with his phone has been "saved" from costly repairs.
Microscratches aside, the idea is to "protect" your investment. Most people don't buy a new phone every year. And with the cost of replacements/insurance getting higher every year it's worth a few extra dollars and a bit of a bulkier phone in the end.
I get it there are those that don't do anything because that is how the phone is meant to be used. However minus the iPhone XS (and Max) I have yet to see a phone take any kind of fall without damage. I have a 19 month old and she loves phone's almost as much as I do but for very different reasons. When she throws a tantrum she'll throw whatever is in her hands, including my and my wife's phones. While coming back from Hawaii this year, United airlines messed up big time and I was stuck with wife and toddler in an airport in Chicago. Needless to say the daughter threw my phone umpteen times. She has an arm like a cannon, lol. No damage to the Pixel 3 XL, my iPhone X, or any of my other devices and everything works fine. But I can attest to the fact that if I didn't have a TGSP or case they would have all been costly repairs.
In the end it's up to the user but I can say that TGSPs over the skins and cases go a long way to save some headaches. The reviewers online might say otherwise but I truly believe they don't hold on to phones as long as the general populace.
So on the TGSP side what you get is, higher phone screen shatter resistance through absorbtion. Think of it as a bullet proof vest for your phone. The TGSP will take the brunt of the incident but don't think its 100% protection. It really does a good job of reducing the likely hood of a broken screen glass. Avoiding Microscratches, are a side effect of having a TGSP. I know of many people who don't listen to my advice and then complain that the screen is scratched or broken. Even a skin is better than nothing but as my story goes to prove nothing is 100%.
It sucks that I can't really keep the asthetic of the phone but hey if it cost less then maybe I'd be willing to make that sacrifice. Lol

Your question is complex, but the answer is very simple:
TGSP's are designed to take the brunt of the impact force and dissipate it across the area of the TGSP instead of transferring to to your phone. It's why we buy $5 TGSP's and just replace them when they break to avoid paying $100 to replace the phone's screen.
As mentioned already, the wet install TPU screen protectors have ZERO shatter protection for your screen. They are only there for scratch protection and are really an outdated technology.
The biggest down side of the TGSP though is lack of full screen coverage. None of them (not even the whitestome dome) can cover 100% of the phone's glass. There will always be 1-2mm gap around the edge of the protector that is exposed to potential scratches, but worse yet, is the awkward cut-out shapes that are required to avoid the proximity sensor. Your phone will almost always land on that spot when it falls lol - Murphy's Law!
If you're really worried about the TGSP being too thick and sticking above the raised lip of the case, then try a flexible glass or hybrid screen protector. They are super thin and still offer shatter resistance. Only downside, is they aren't as hard, so they can get scratched after a few months. Get 2 or 3 and you'll be good for a year.

from a materials perspective, glass is abrasion resistant by being very hard. plastic is soft and susceptible to abrasion. in terms of cracking, plastic is less likely to have crack initiation (which typically takes place near microcracks) and crack propagation, and it is also able to absorb energy in the form of deformation (plastic is more springy). glass is more likely to break than bend, but if an impact would have broken the phone screen and instead that energy goes into breaking the glass cover, then you have a sacrificial layer of protection (much like aluminum has an oxidized surface layer that promotes corrosion resistance of the whole). Plastic may transfer more energy than it is able to absorb considering the energy required to deform plastic is much less than that of glass, and once the plastic has bent, that bending can then bend the glass of the phone. by transferring the force.. which glass doesnt like.
It would be interesting to compare the performance of the two types under various drop conditions.

back glass strength

I had my Razr in my back pocket the other week, and when i sat down in a car i heard a quiet cracking noise, the back glass cracked.... How hard is it to swap and are they really that brittle? Thanks!

I can't speak for how hard it is to install the new one but it's literally just a piece of glass with the adhesive strips. It'd be pretty trivial with a spudger/knife and a heat-gun. It looks like the going rate for a new one is around $100USD from AliExpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002618579898.html

Glass only bends so much. It's neither solid nor liquid, an amorphous solid. A bizarre material, the laws of hydraulics can apply to it. Making some of it's behaviors seem baffling.
I have a Note 10+, which is huge. I always wear bdu pants. The thigh cargo pockets are perfect for phones.
Watch a tear down vid of that phone before you dig in. Take your time and have a OEM seal kit to close it back up.

blackhawk said:
Take your time and have a OEM seal kit to close it back up.
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This is huge, make sure you have those adhesive strips!

In case phone is used without protecting case, highly recommend putting hydrogel film on the phone back and front glass panell, it's literally invisible but create extra protection as well a makes phone less slippery in hands.
Putting hydrogel screen protector on internal display is a different story, I have it on and so far no issues after few month.

kreoll said:
In case phone is used without protecting case, highly recommend putting hydrogel film on the phone back and front glass panell, it's literally invisible but create extra protection as well a makes phone less slippery in hands.
Putting hydrogel screen protector on internal display is a different story, I have it on and so far no issues after few month.
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Welcome to XDA
You really need a good case to protect from face plants and corner hits when drop as well as from being flexed. Any impact that can bent the frame or shatter the display can damage chipsets and the mobo by high G loading alone. A good case spreads out the impact G loading spike making drops survivable.

blackhawk said:
Welcome to XDA
You really need a good case to protect from face plants and corner hits when drop as well as from being flexed. Any impact that can bent the frame or shatter the display can damage chipsets and the mobo by high G loading alone. A good case spreads out the impact G loading spike making drops survivable.
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True, after using phone for few weeks with just hydrogel film on it I've ordered few cases on Amazon to get more protection. I was looking for compact phone thus chosen Razr and don't want to add any bulk to it.
Finally ended up with evutec carbon case, may be not super protective comparing to others but it's almost perfect in terms of look & feel. Hydrogel film still used along with the case and completely invisible.

kreoll said:
True, after using phone for few weeks with just hydrogel film on it I've ordered few cases on Amazon to get more protection. I was looking for compact phone thus chosen Razr and don't want to add any bulk to it.
Finally ended up with evutec carbon case, may be not super protective comparing to others but it's almost perfect in terms of look & feel. Hydrogel film still used along with the case and completely invisible.
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Yeah it's a trade off.
Sometimes it's more practical to tether the phone if you have a tether point.
BDU pants have cargo pockets that are perfect for stashing phones.
Belt pouches are another option.
The occasional fast as on ice slipe/hip-shoulder fall/landing on the phone side might not end well.
There's only so much you can reasonably do.

Question Would it be too risky to use skin not case?

I'm waiting for my fold 4 to arrive next week, have ordered some nice skin from sopiguard. I'm thinking about using skins but not case as the Fold 4 itself is already bulky enough to have more more layer on it. Any thoughts?

if you tend to drop your phone a lot like me then get a case or samsung adld insurance or else they gonna charge another phone amount to repair it

I would love to have only a skin on mine, but I work in a warehouse and need all of the protection I can get. I opted for a bulky case (in my mind bulk is protection). I went with the UB Pro. When I had my Zfold3, it fell off a forklift and sustained no damage. Just consider your lifestyle before making the decision between a skin and a case.

happened yesterday when i went to the mall with my son. dropped by jb hifi before going to eb games as he wanted to buy something. saw someone looking at the fold on display and was contemplating on getting it. i guess the guy beside him overhead and he took out his fold to show it. i guess he was overly enthusiastic and he dropped it right off. i'm currently using a neoprene sleeve while i waited for the case i ordered arrive. but after seeing what happened, i went straight to the local phone shop stall and bought one immediately. didn't leave the shop until i had the case on.

Personally I tend to use a case (stylus) for work or the flap piece when out and about, but I go caseless when I'm home or any chance I can. I've thought about just getting a skin but the last time I did that it was a pocket magnet and was always cleaning the edges.

mimimui said:
I'm waiting for my fold 4 to arrive next week, have ordered some nice skin from sopiguard. I'm thinking about using skins but not case as the Fold 4 itself is already bulky enough to have more more layer on it. Any thoughts?
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Cases are just an extra step towards protection. Not that skins dont offer protection, they do indeed protect the device from scratches but a high impact on the device could probably cause an issue. It depends on the intensity of the drop. Even if you drop your phone multiple times but the intensity or drop height is low, Skins would take care of the impact. Cases mainly do their work for higher drop heights which are unlikely to happen at all times. The drops are usually from the height of your pocket or a desk so some good quality Skins and Screen Protector should take care of it. I use Skins cause I hate the feeling of a bulky device and Ive dropped my phone multiple times but havent faced any major damage. Most times, sides of the phone take the initial impact which are covered by Skins, so there are no scratches.
Ive used dbrand and Gadgetshieldz but I prefer GS more since they are way more affordable for the same quality thats offered by dbrand. Screen Protectors are also from GS since they have a Matte option and for all parts of the device. Ive covered the Camera lens and Screen with the Screen Protector and the rest are wrapped with Skins.

SKins vs. Cases debate is as old as the first fold phone out.. I have several cases, and they do a good job, but I hate all of them. With a bulky (when folded) phone, adding a case makes things worse but here are the advantages:
1. Protection when dropping the phone (dah)
2. Pen holder (if the case supports it)
3. Most cases have a better grip and help opening to the inner screen, unlike having a smooth metal lip to work with.
and they are SOOOO ugly and thick (even the 'slim' ones)
I use skins, most of the time , because they are allowing me using a much thinner phone. I do take the risk of dropping the phone, and the fact skins have more traction help me not to have the phone slip out of my hand. In 8 months, I did drop the phone twice, and it survived the falls. I guess I am careful and lucky at the same time..
So the answer is pretty much individual - Do you tend to make your phone fly out of hand normally? based on your own 'history' - did you ever break a phone dropping it? That is sort of predictive answer regarding skin vs. a case..