Do you use a screen protector for your phone or tablet?

[Steven P. Administrators]

Calm down, it's just the screen protector that's scratched up on the HONOR Magic V5.

Simple question, are you for or against screen protectors?

I responded with No because I did not place a screen protector on my S23 Ultra when I bought it in March 2023, it was completely scratch free until December last year when I noticed a superficial scratch across the top of the screen  Normally I upgrade my phone every two years, so I could have sold it on in "As new" state, but now idk. I plan to upgrade to S26 Ultra this year.

Vote! Please do give screen protector recommendations if that's what you do.

[TarasBuria Editor]

I paid one grand for my phone and one grand for my tablet, of course, I use screen protectors :)

[cork1958]

When I got my last phone late last year, the dude at the store put on a liquid screen protector on it before I knew what he was doing. Don't really have any complaints about it as it does clean up very easily but I usually put a glass protector on my phones myself. Haven't ever gotten a scratch or crack on any phone or screen protector I've had so far so probably could live without one.

[Steven P. Administrators]

On 04/02/2026 at 16:13, cork1958 said:

When I got my last phone late last year, the dude at the store put on a liquid screen protector on it before I knew what he was doing. Don't really have any complaints about it as it does clean up very easily but I usually put a glass protector on my phones myself. Haven't ever gotten a scratch or crack on any phone or screen protector I've had so far so probably could live without one.

Thanks for your experience. So I am definitely getting a screen protector for the S26 Ultra, but I don't want a cheap bit of plastic film that scratches like the example in the OP (that screen cover was not even a month old at that point).

Is the liquid screen protector any good, or is a glass one better?

[cork1958]

On 04/02/2026 at 10:48, Steven P. said:

Thanks for your experience. So I am definitely getting a screen protector for the S26 Ultra, but I don't want a cheap bit of plastic film that scratches like the example in the OP (that screen cover was not even a month old at that point).

Is the liquid screen protector any good, or is a glass one better?

Personally, I would've preferred a glass one, but like I said, dude was applying the liquid one before I even saw what he was doing. From what I've read about the liquid one's, they wear off/out and you have to jump through hoops to remove them.

Never liked the cheap plastic one's either!

[Jim K Global Moderator]

No....not in a very long time.  Don't think I have used one since the LG G2 many moons ago.  My S7, Pixel 4a and Pixel 8 only had a rear case.  I never scratched the S7 screen (thought it did crack when I dropped it)...the 4a and my current 8 don't have any scratches (knock on wood).

Kind of OCD though...phone always goes in right pocket and everything else goes in left (keys, change, etc)

 

[+mram Subscriber²]

My wife always carries her phone in her rock polishing grinder purse so I'm very interested in the outcome of this thread.

[+Raphaël G. MVC]

I'm all for screen protectors but I don't use one currently for my OnePlus 13. I just can't seem to find any good one. I tried the only one I could find and it is junk: has paste only around the borders and a round portion in the middle where the fingerprint sensor is located. Looks bad as the circle is visible all the time. After a few days, dust started to collect under the cover and I removed it. I guess the fingerprint sensor in the screen does not make it easy to create a decent screen protector. Since removing it, my phone fell on the gravel once and there is a mini scratch, but I got over it.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

Ish. I apply a liquid screen protector every now and then and have a case with a reasonable lip so the screen won't hit even if dropped flat.

Have never scratched or cracked any of my actual phone screens

[Brandon H Supervisor]

On 04/02/2026 at 13:34, Raphaël G. said:

I'm all for screen protectors but I don't use one currently for my OnePlus 13. I just can't seem to find any good one. I tried the only one I could find and it is junk: has paste only around the borders and a round portion in the middle where the fingerprint sensor is located. Looks bad as the circle is visible all the time. After a few days, dust started to collect under the cover and I removed it. I guess the fingerprint sensor in the screen does not make it easy to create a decent screen protector. Since removing it, my phone fell on the gravel once and there is a mini scratch, but I got over it.

I gave up on using a full screen protector for a couple reasons.

I have an S21 so tempered screen protectors affect the fingerprint sensor and I can't stand plastic screen protectors because they rarely apply correctly without bubbles.

So liquid protector and good case it is for me

[Brandon H Supervisor]

On 04/02/2026 at 09:48, Steven P. said:

Thanks for your experience. So I am definitely getting a screen protector for the S26 Ultra, but I don't want a cheap bit of plastic film that scratches like the example in the OP (that screen cover was not even a month old at that point).

Is the liquid screen protector any good, or is a glass one better?

I've had decent experience with liquid protectors. They help with smudge reduction along with protecting against abrasions. It's not going to protect against deep scratching but it does plenty to protect the screen in your pocket and such.

You just have to apply fresh like once a year which isn't a big deal to me

[Circaflex]

On 05/02/2026 at 18:08, Brandon H said:

Ish. I apply a liquid screen protector every now and then and have a case with a reasonable lip so the screen won't hit even if dropped flat.

Have never scratched or cracked any of my actual phone screens

Hadn't ever heard of liquid screen protectors, I will need to check them out.

[tsupersonic]

Yes. Accidents happen, and I want to protect my device from me/kids/whatever happens. When I bought my iPhone 16 Pro Max, I installed a screen protector as I unboxed the phone. 2 days later, I'm gardening, and phone slides out of my pocket and onto a rock - bam screen protector was absolutely wasted. I reached out to the screen protector company as they had a lifetime warranty, and they sent 10 screen protectors free of charge lol. 

I prefer glass screen protectors

[+Raphaël G. MVC]

On 06/02/2026 at 03:11, Brandon H said:

I gave up on using a full screen protector for a couple reasons.

I have an S21 so tempered screen protectors affect the fingerprint sensor and I can't stand plastic screen protectors because they rarely apply correctly without bubbles.

So liquid protector and good case it is for me

I had no idea there exists such thing as liquid screen protectors! I'll have a look at that. Thanks!

[He's Dead Jim]

I don't use a screen protector, but I use a flip case.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Yes, I use matte ones as I love the way they feel

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

I used to do the tempered glass protectors religiously, but ive never dropped or broken a phone so for the last 3 phones I have just not gotten one and not had any issues.

[kiddingguy]

No, no and no on a phone. Never used one. Never will.
Also a no/pass on covers/sleeves for phones... naked phones please  

A cover/back proctector for a tablet: yes, but mainly for scratches on back and easier screen-off.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

No.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Yes, it's part of my phone iPhone 13 phone case

 

[SnoopZ]

I use a tempered glass one on my phone, I look after my phone's and still have no scratches on the screen protector. I feel like I don't need one on my tablets but if I did it'll again be tempered glass, I love how easy it is to put them on without getting bubbles.

[Xerxes]

I had a tempered glass screen protector on my S21U (and bumper case), till I dropped it and it popped off in pristine condition and the phone screen shattered FML. Now just have a more rugged case with a plastic screen protector, been fine so far *fingers crossed*

[fintechfooty]

yep, but only because i bought an iphone pro max and want to get the most value when i sell it or exchange it. otherwise the last few phones i've had have either not had one, or were preinstalled.

[fintechfooty]

On 05/02/2026 at 18:16, Circaflex said:

Hadn't ever heard of liquid screen protectors, I will need to check them out.

same. 

[WiltshireHam]

Never had one on my Samsung Galaxy A52 for the last five years, no scratches, but then again I have a folding case that protects it.