If you ask anyone about their go-to accessory, their answer might be something other than a smartphone case. Although guaranteed total protection and aesthetics, some might override phone cases because they may find them too pricey or bulky. This is where screen protectors come to the rescue. Its lightweight feel and complete protection to your phone screen– where vulnerabilities are at their highest– can attract patrons, especially when you demonstrate the right way to assemble and maintain it.

In this article, you can have your best screen protector in no time by providing steps on how to effectively and independently assemble your screen protector and ways to maintain your screen protector for long-lasting protection. At the beginning of this article, you will also learn the difference between the two main types of screen protector and their characteristics.

Why Screen Protector First?

Image Credit: WCCFTech

You may be wondering why this article says that screen protectors are a better type of investment for protection than rugged phone cases. Well, before protecting the entire phone–mostly the back and sides– one must learn how to protect the undisputedly most important of the phone– the screen. This is where the display comes from, and the entire interaction between you and your phone likewise transpires on this part. 

The daily wear and tear caused by scratches, scuffs, and minor impacts happens on the screen. Thus, it is almost inevitable for your phone to survive for a long period and maintain its usual quality without protecting its façade. More than anything else, the screen protector does it best on this matter. That is why when you purchase a new Smartphone unit, there is a big chance that you will see a screen protector installed already or as a freebie. 

Below is the table that will thoroughly explain why screen protector deserves the hype that it deserves:

Glass vs. Thin-Type Screen Protectors: How Different?

Given that these materials are different, certain accessory aspects might also be an opportunity for a reasonable comparison. For starters, these screen protector types– the glass and the thin plastic types– are the most common in the market, owing to their distinct characteristics that helped the accessory itself protect Samsung devices– even included as a mainstay freebie alongside a Samsung S24 phone case. 

Some aspects favor the glass type, while there are some in which the thin plastic one gets a nod. In terms of flexibility, repairability, and ease of installation, the nature of the thin plastic material edges out tempered glass. However, the tempered glass gets all the wins considering the scratch and impact resistance, clarity, and durability. Applying a tempered glass screen protector on the Samsung Note, for instance, can bring you long-term protection beyond the usual scratches that thin plastic type gear mostly toward. As many people would say, “One can’t have it all,” but you can still flip the tables and amp up your advantage by having your preference to choose the best screen protector type and consider your needs and other external contexts that will be your primary basis to the level of protection that is just right and enough.

Applying Samsung Screen Protectors with Glass and Thin Plastic Types

The rules in applying and maintaining phone screen protectors, regardless of their type, are “simple and finite,” just like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde said: Clean. Align. Protect. Choosing the appropriate cleaning solution will bring your screen protector's quality back to its usual shape. Aligning edge-to-edge screen protectors on Samsung Galaxy to maximize your device's transparent, foolproof, and aesthetically pleasing appeal. When all has been done, let the protective feature of this accessory go into action.

1. Mise en place. Ensure all materials– microfiber cloth, cleaning solution, squeegee, soft card, and dust removal sticker, among others, are present.

2. Turn your device off. Power your Samsung device off and distance it from other connected devices.

3. Keep the dust away. Remove dust particles from the screen using a tape or dust removal sticker. This will be the first step of cleaning your device before the application.

4. Clean it up using a solution. Apply the cleaning solution in small amounts using the microfiber cloth to remove smudges, fingerprints, and other impurities on the screen. Note that a thin glass type might go better with an alcohol-free solution to avoid an unwanted chemical reaction. 

5. Use Soft Card or Squeegee. Peel off the back film of the protector and ensure its alignment with the screen. Aligning edge-to-edge screen protectors on Samsung devices, especially a Galaxy series model, enhances its almost invisible feel and look. If it is tempered glass, it usually comes with a scratch-resistant coating to maximize clarity and durability. Do not remove it, though.

6. Beware of bubbles! Bubbles or tiny air sacs after the screen protector installation should not have any place in the screen. Scrape these bubbles toward the nearest edge using the squeegee or soft card we used previously. Preventing bubbles during the installation of an anti-scratch screen protector for Samsung likewise preserves the screen's display quality when it is set.

7. Final Check. Have a closer inspection of the newly installed screen protector by scraping some bubbles off and lifting a side again when a dust particle is unnoticed. A reapplication is needed if the inspection deems it. For glass-type protectors, a final check is almost required to look for micro-scratches, which are less common on their thin plastic counterparts.

8. Leave it unused for a while. Since you used a built-in adhesive to install your screen protector, leave it for a few hours or overnight before using it. This ensures that the accessory is fully set to enjoy its absolute functionality. 

A Screen Protector and More? Go to SUPCASE 

Why settle for only one (and compare them) if you can have both? SUPCASE lets you enjoy the best of both worlds by featuring a Smartphone case collection for Samsung and other models that brings protection and style to another level. SUPCASE rugged and stylish phone cases, with the newest UB Pro series taking over the market this quarter, often come with a built-in screen protector that will surely complete your protection needs for your smartphone. Have your eyes feast on the variety of options based on your style, needs for added functionality, and protection preferences– and get into the journey of purchasing the “goods” as your end goal.