Upgrading Phone Screen Protectors: What You Need to Know

Getting yourself a screen protector for your smartphone or tablet is a simple yet effective way to keep it safe from blunt impact and scratches. It’s also a valuable tool to protect your touchscreen sensors, preventing wrong inputs accidentally.

While it’s a general consensus that screen protectors are mandatory, not all smartphone and tablet owners know the proper guidelines for buying and upgrading screen protectors. Thankfully, this guide will give you an overview of the basics to make you more informed on your next purchase.

Separating Different Screen Protector Types 

Screen protectors generally fall under three categories: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) screens, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) screens, and tempered glass.

1. PET screens: These protective screens are noticeably lighter, smoother, and thinner than TPU products. This makes them almost invisible to the naked eye before and after application. However, its major drawback is its stiff design. This makes it ineffective in protecting curved screens, which most modern models of smartphones have. Nevertheless, PET screens serve as the best option for their low cost.
2. TPU screens: TPU screen protectors offer a more robust level of protection than standard PET screens. Since it’s a self-healing material, it’s resistant to small scratches due to its rubbery texture. Additionally, TPU screens are more compatible with curved screens due to their flexibility. Unfortunately, TPU screen protectors can be difficult to apply yourself.
3. Tempered Glass: The third option is the toughest among the three, making it the best value for your money. Tempered glass offers strong resistance against scratches and blunt impact, with some products being relatively cheaper. Additionally, some products can come with anti-glare features for people with poor eyesight. Its only drawback is the thickness of the protector, making it more noticeable on your device.

Removing Screen Protectors

While applying screen protectors is typically straightforward, not all smartphone owners know the best way to remove their current ones for replacement. You’ll have two options to choose from: removing it by hand or with a tool.

A properly applied screen protector shouldn’t be easy to remove with your bare hands. This is why you’ll need to loosen the adhesive by applying heat. Use a hairdryer set at the lowest setting for about 15 seconds. Afterwards, try lifting the corners of the screen protector with your fingernails. Slowly but surely, the adhesive will loosen, allowing you to gently pull the screen from the corner. To avoid breaking pieces along the way, don’t rush yourself from lifting the screen protector from different edges.

If you’re not confident with your fingernails’ durability, you can use tools like toothpicks or a bank card to pry out the screen protector. Like with the method above, use a hairdryer to apply heat. Afterwards, use a toothpick or bank card to loosen the edges. 

When using sharp tools like toothpicks, make sure to point the tool upwards to avoid scratching your device’s screen. Once you’ve removed a decent amount of screen protector, you can use your fingers to prise the protector away with ease.

Conclusion

While it’s important to understand the dos and don’ts of using and applying screen protectors, much of its protective effects will depend on the products you buy. If you don’t research your vendor well, you might end up with a subpar accessory for your smartphone or tablet. For this reason, you must do your due diligence and confirm the credibility of the brands you plan to buy from. Thankfully, you won’t have to think twice about purchasing our line of products at Mobile Shark.

If you’re looking for a store that sells quality tempered glass screen protectors in Birmingham, we’re the right company for you. Our products are tailor-fit to match your device’s dimensions. Browse our online store today and find the right screen protector for you!