Long ago, a Viking had a shield he cared for just like a modern Viking cares for his smartphone. Vikings didn't have gadgets like we do today, but they knew more about protection than most. And it's worth providing such protection to your smartphone, especially since it's not hard to get scratches on the casing, or even accidentally crack the screen. You can choose from cases, tempered glass, or screen protectors. Just like a Viking warrior... well, almost.
Hydrogel film or tempered glass? What's the difference?
There's nothing to be ashamed of if you want to additionally protect the screen of your new smartphone. Quite the opposite! It's a valuable and useful device. It would be a shame to see scratches from keys, gold, or axes that you carry in your pockets appear on the screen after just a week. Or, even worse, for the screen to shatter when the phone ACCIDENTALLY falls on the floor. Therefore, make your choice as soon as possible – protective film or tempered glass? That is the question!
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Hydrogel film
Some love it, others hate it. What are we talking about? Hydrogel film. Let's start with what it is. It's a combination of a standard film and glass. Its unique features make it flexible and thin on one hand, yet durable on the other. This is why it's an ideal solution for any smartphone with a curved screen. Among its advantages, its resistance to drops is definitely worth mentioning – good quality film should absorb shocks and impacts, minimizing the risk of a shattered screen. Any downsides? It's more susceptible to scratches. It also requires high precision during application. However, you can skip the latter point by using an external service.
Tempered glass
Time for something for the tough guys. Tempered glass and the magical 9H marking, which indicates hardness expressed on a ten-point Mohs scale. According to it, the ninth degree means that such glass can cut other glass, but can only be scratched by a diamond blade itself. In practice, tempered glass does handle scratches better. But, beware! There are glasses on the market that won't stand up to keys or coins in your pocket. It's also better to be careful with drops, because tempered glass can crack. The consolation is that you'll only have a shattered protective glass, which you can always replace (at a low cost), instead of a damaged display. It's worth remembering that these glasses only fit smartphones with flat screens – this solution doesn't protect any rounded edges.
So, what to choose – hydrogel film or tempered glass? There's no winner in this competition, and there are as many opinions as there are users. Hydrogel film can survive many minor drops. It also handles small scratches well. Tempered glass is a good solution if you carry your smartphone with various items. We can give you some tips, but remember, the controls are always in your hands!
See also: Gorilla Glass – what it is and how it protects your phone
The cheapest protective film and tempered glass? You might regret it after a week
Let's start with the fact that a standard protective film will only provide minimal protection. It's a thin and flexible material. Its purpose is to catch potential scratches on the surface so they don't appear on the display. It's worth knowing that various very cheap films (especially those from Chinese shopping portals for about a dollar) are usually very poor quality. Firstly, after just a few days, such a film can be covered in scratches. Secondly, it can worsen the display's touch response and distort color reproduction. Ultimately, you'll spend that dollar, but you'll get rid of such a film very quickly.
Don't expect miracles from cheap tempered glass either. Just like with poor quality film, you might experience worse touch response. If you have an under-display fingerprint reader, forget about it working precisely on low-quality glass. Moreover, color display can leave much to be desired, and even a minor impact can result in shattered glass that ends up in the trash. And the money spent will go to waste.
Every self-respecting Viking should choose good quality accessories. Since you're willing to pay from several hundred to even several thousand zlotys for a smartphone, it's worth investing in screen protection as well. Yes, cheap hydrogel film or tempered glass can turn out to be good, just as expensive accessories can be a total flop. If you want to be sure that a given product will work well, it's worth investing some time. Check reviews for films or glass from various sources, ask other Vikings what they use, and choose the best option for your smartphone screen.