Ratings of the best protective glasses for iPhone of different generations

Appearance. Spigen has a clear advantage

Fantastic!
Spigen's protective glass can be used with Spigen's protective cases. I'm a fan of the Spigen Tough Armor and Slim Armor protective cases and buy one of them for every new smartphone. They have saved the life of my gadgets more than once, so the iPhone Xs Max was no exception.

It’s a pity that using Chinese edge-to-edge glass (3D, 4D, 5D), which is almost invisible on a smartphone, won’t work with such cases even if you really want to . They have too high and hard sides that rip the protection off the screen.

Previously, I always made do with simple, even glass from AliExpress, which didn’t look very good, but protected the expensive iPhone screen. But after purchasing the current flagship, I came across an edge-to-edge manufactured by Spigen.

Of course, Spigen safety glass can be used with Spigen safety cases. It fits them perfectly , so the device looks great when protected.

By and large, this glass is generally difficult to see on a smartphone screen, even with a case or without it. It's a pity, this is almost the only advantage of protection, which is so much more expensive.

Totallee

Totallee has tempered glass for the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. The company does not advertise the glass in big words, but it comes with a 2-year warranty, and that’s enough. And if you are unhappy with the glass, you can return it within the first 30 days and get your money back. Plus, if you order over $50, worldwide shipping is free.

➤ iPhone 11 Pro – Buy

➤ iPhone 11 Pro Max – Buy

Strength. Both scratch, no surprises

Scratches on the Spigen safety glass, which has never even been touched by keys

Spigen and the AliExpress seller claim that their protection is not plastic, but tempered glass.

Both report a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. It turns out that you can only scratch them with a diamond . But this is in theory: in practice everything is different.

Mohs hardness

The iPhone Xs Max (with an expensive protective glass) is my main smartphone, which is most often in my jeans pocket or on a holder in the car.

The iPhone 7 (with cheap protective glass) is lying around in the backpack at this time along with charging cables, a metal Satechi hub for the MacBook Pro, a heavy ZMI charging can - sometimes it’s even in the same compartment as the keys.

It would seem that the protective glass on the second smartphone should be killed in drool, but the situation is the opposite: on the Spigen glass there is one small but deep scratch , the glass from AliExpress is without visible damage.

Scratches on the screen - lottery

This is the iPhone X screen after a year of careful wearing without any protection.
Don't do this. Everyone has their own valid opinion on the need for additional screen protection. Some people glue “armored glass” onto their brand new smartphone right in the store, while others look with contempt at this entire industry of film and 5-D glass manufacturers, because they are confident in the protective properties of the great Gorilla Glass.

I admit, I have always belonged to the second type. Since the iPhone 3GS, I have never used films or glass: I didn’t take special care of the smartphone, carried it in my pocket with change and a passport in a cover with metal corners, and held it in one hand with the keys.

Never in all the iPhone generations have I had serious scratches on the screen. I even wore the delicate iPhone 7 Jet Black without a case, without any consequences, until the iPhone X appeared in my life.

Perfect Jet Black after months of wearing without a case.

I also wore the “Ten” without any screen protection. And everything was fine, until at some point a glare of sunlight fell on the smartphone lying on the table and I saw just a MONSTER scratch running across the entire screen.

I tried to remember which nails I carried my iPhone with in my pocket. But over many years, I developed a persistent habit: one pocket for a smartphone, other pockets for everything else, so this option immediately disappeared.

The only object that could leave such a scratch on the screen was an earring in the ear. When talking on the phone, you involuntarily change hands, bringing it first to one ear, then to the other, and sometimes you press the smartphone with your shoulder, freeing both hands. It was at one of these moments that the earring drew a severe furrow.

Yes, the iPhone screen is protected by Apple's Ion-X glass, which is identical in strength to 5th generation Gorilla Glass . The Internet is full of videos in which the “ten” is scraped with knives, nails, drills and other sharp objects, proving its reliability and resistance to scratches.

And in my case, at some point I just unsuccessfully brought the smartphone to my ear, without any effort, and ruined the screen. It really is a lottery.

After this, by the way, we began to closely examine all the smartphones in the editorial office and the editor-in-chief was shocked when he discovered a bunch of scratches that were invisible at first glance on his iPhone X.

Transparency. In real life it doesn't matter

At a high angle, stains are slightly visible on both glasses, but in real life they are not

Spigen and the AliExpress seller say their glasses are up to 100% clear. In real life this is true, but if you really want to, you can still find fault with this statement.

At the maximum angle of inclination (more than 160º) in both the first and second cases, stains of unknown origin .

They can only be seen when the screen is on, so I conclude that the glass simply refracts the image. There is nothing special about this, it's physics.

In real life, smartphones with and without glass show equally good pictures. The iPhone Xs Max is partly pink, and the iPhone 7 is blue or green - the differences are due to the use of different matrices: OLED and IPS.

I repeat, in real use, glass does not interfere with reading information from the device screen.

Benks King Kong 3D

Benks tempered glass is just 0.3mm thick for unrivaled protection - while maintaining 99% transparency so you won't see any difference in image quality. Glass protects the entire front panel of the iPhone, and due to the rounded edges, the transition between it and the display is practically not felt. Oleophobic coating will ensure that the smartphone does not collect fingerprints, while sapphire coating provides additional durability.

➤ iPhone 11 Pro – Buy

➤ iPhone 11 Pro Max – Buy

Contents of delivery. Spigen is much easier to glue

This is a special device for gluing Spigen protective glass. Comfortable!

In addition to a modest-sized microfiber cloth and a couple of wet wipes (the option from AliExpress also has this), the Spigen protective glass package also includes a special device for gluing and, attention, another protective glass .

It turns out, for 2.3 thousand rubles. you buy not one, but two glasses at once. On the one hand, this softens the shock of such a high cost. On the other hand, you still can’t buy one glass separately for half the price, so this is not that important.

In my life, I personally have broken no more than three protective glasses. The first cracked when the iPhone 5s fell from the second shelf on the train, the second on the iPhone 6 shattered in the bathroom, and the third on the iPhone 7 burst when I crashed on a snowboard and pressed the device against the dense snow with my body.

There are only three glasses for the entire time I have been using Apple smartphones - I personally don’t need another one in the set.

Instructions for gluing Spigen glass

But the gluing device is smart. You just need to put it on your iPhone and follow the numbered steps that are drawn on it. The result is perfect: it’s not like aiming with your hands.

Rating categories

For a user, spending 500 or even 1,500 rubles on the purchase of high-quality glass will be an absolutely competent and correct decision. The only question is which protective glass for iPhone is the best and which one to give preference to when choosing.

To simplify the solution of this problem, a rating has been compiled among the most popular, high-quality and effective protective glasses for iPhone devices of different generations.

The best manufacturers specializing in the production of safety glasses will be presented here. Not only specifically for the iPhone, but also for a number of other devices. There are also companies that produce glass for cars.

And so that the user of an Apple smartphone does not get confused about where and which manufacturer, what kind of glass model is suitable for him, the current top was divided into several thematic categories. These are accessories for the iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus, a separate selection for the iPhone X and XS, as well as a rating of the best glasses for the 11th release of an Apple smartphone.

A selection of accessories for iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus

A good place to start is by looking for the best screen protector for iPhone 7 Plus. The same accessories can be used for the next generation with the Plus console.

Unlike the regular versions of the 7 and 8 iPhones, the Plus has a slightly larger display. Therefore, you have to choose the best protective glass suitable for iPhone 8 Plus and 7 with a similar console from the corresponding category:

1. Nillkin Screen Protector 3D . Many users, not knowing which protective glass would be best to choose for their iPhone 7 Plus or 8 Plus, first look towards a well-known manufacturer, Nillkin. This is a really good option. High-quality tempered glass is used as manufacturing material. But the production technology is such that when deformed, the glass cannot scratch the screen or damage the user’s hand. There is an additional treatment that prevents fingerprints from appearing on the surface;
2. Mofi . An excellent choice for iPhone 7 Plus owners. This protective glass has a minimum thickness. Because of this, the accessory is practically not felt on the display. Does not affect the sensitivity of the touch screen in any way. There is an oleophobic and hydrophobic coating. That is, the iPhone will always be clean. You don't have to keep a set of napkins on hand. Before choosing a protective glass for your iPhone 7, keep in mind that the kit comes with 2 glasses at once. And this is additional savings.
3. Ugreen . When thinking about which high-quality protective glass would be best to choose for installation on your iPhone 7 Plus, many users choose this option. Hardened accessory with a thickness of 0.3 mm. When pasting it is not visible on the display, the sensitivity of the sensor does not change. The manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty on its products. If bubbles appear under the glass, just contact company representatives and they will replace your glass. And completely free.
4. Nillkin 3D CP+ . An option for those who expect maximum protection from an accessory. The product is created on the basis of 5 layers of special Asahi glass. Interestingly, the same manufacturer specializes in creating windshields for Mitsubishi cars.
5. Baseus 3D Arc Tempered Glass . This company is on the list of the best manufacturers of protective coatings for smartphones. The products are single-layer, but are capable of surpassing even multi-layer analogues in quality. The glass is distinguished by its self-installation property, that is, the user can stick it on himself without any problems.
6. IHaitun . We are talking about tempered glass here. It is characterized by absolute transparency and is quite difficult to notice on the iPhone display. The element is compatible with 3D Touch technology, so there is no loss of sensitivity to speak of. The accessory is supplied with glass, a microfiber cloth, a degreasing cloth, a sticker for dust removal and a sticker for installation.

Of course, this is only a small part of the glass that can be used for installation on the iPhone 7 and 8 generations.

But the presented models are in demand and deservedly popular.

A selection of glasses for iPhone X/XS

Now it’s worth paying attention to the best protective glass for iPhone X.

It is important to understand that this selection is intended for owners of modifications such as X, XS and even XR.

Ordinary users often don’t know which protective glass is best for them to buy for their iPhone XR, XS or just X, because they simply don’t understand them.

You can simplify the task of purchasing an accessory to protect the display of an Apple smartphone. To do this, you should use a special selection of options worthy of attention.

Next, a small rating will be presented without reference to location. Each protective glass included in this top can be used for the iPhone XS Max and simpler earlier versions of this Apple device:

1. Baseus Edge . An inexpensive option that is popular among Russian iPhone 10 users. Despite the modest price tag, there are no complaints in terms of quality. Yes, the first time you may not be able to glue it to the highest quality. The glass completely covers the display, leaving the original frame around the entire perimeter.
2. Baseus Glass Firm . If we talk purely about the quality of workmanship and protective properties, everything with this glass is at a high and decent level. There are no questions about the materials and technologies used. But what the manufacturer failed to cope with was creating beautiful cutouts for sensors. It looks downright weak. Although many people like it. This is rather a matter of taste.
3. 360 Privacy Glass . In terms of execution, it is quite simple glass, where advanced materials were clearly not used. But the price is appropriate. Glass has one important feature that makes it a priority option for many buyers. This is protection from prying eyes. You can only view the contents of the screen at a right angle. Therefore, the person standing next to you will not be able to find out with his sidelong glance what you are watching or reading there.
4. Monarch Clean Glass X . Not the best option in terms of execution, but the price is very, very worthy. If a user is looking for something that will protect the screen, but will cost less than 300 rubles, such glass is definitely worth taking. Not everything is perfect, but for that kind of money you can forgive it.
5. Hoco Glass . It is not clear why, but the accessory is offered in a round package. The frame is quite soft, but durable. The glass itself can also be slightly bent, since it is thin, which simplifies the issue of self-gluing. It may visually appear that it is film. But no, it's real glass. And with very decent characteristics.
6. Rock Hydrogel Screen Protector . Something between glass and film. Either a thick film, or very thin glass. In fact, it is a very decent protective accessory. It is only important to stick it on very carefully, since it will not be possible to move it later.
7. Rock Tempered Glass Protector . Much like Baseus Edge. But the packaging is different, easy to stick, does not leave bubbles after proper application to the smartphone display.

The price range of the presented protective glasses is from 250 to 800 rubles.

This is truly the best option for most iPhone 10 holders. Few people decide to spend money on really expensive glass, but not much different from the recognized strong average glass. People simply don't see the point in spending that kind of money. And in many ways they are right. If the iPhone falls from a decent height, then not a single glass will survive it. The main thing is that the screen remains intact.

Top glasses for iPhone 11

Users are increasingly interested in the best protective glass for the iPhone 11, since this particular device is the newest and most in demand.

In the case of this device, a separate rating is provided. The top list of the best protective glasses for iPhone 11 includes accessories of different price categories. But they are united by excellent quality and good protective properties.

Here you can also choose the best, according to users, protective glass for the iPhone 11 Pro version.

The current list of favorites is as follows:

1. ESR Screen Shield Clear . A fairly inexpensive protective accessory based on tempered glass. Demonstrates an excellent level of protection against scratches, impacts, chips and abrasions. Perfectly reproduces all screen colors. It has a special coating that prevents the accumulation of fingerprints. The only disadvantage is that the glass does not cover the camera.
2. OneLounge Mocolo Glass . An accessory that covers every millimeter of the expensive display of an Apple smartphone. The surface is glossy, fully conveys colors. Moreover, this is the most affordable option in the rating. But it will not be able to protect against a strong blow.
3. Baseus Anti Peeping Glass . An option for those who want to protect their personal space and not allow strangers to look into their screen. A kind of anti-spy accessory. But because of this, the color rendition is slightly disrupted. This is the only drawback.
4. Baseus 9H . Another representative of a well-known manufacturer of mobile accessories. Good choice for screen protection. Inexpensive, strong, reliable. 9H indicates the hardness coefficient, which is a very decent indicator with a thickness of only 0.15 mm. The problem with the tread can be considered the lack of anti-reflective coating.
5. Mofi Full Cover Antiglare . Quite an interesting development from the budget segment. This protective glass perfectly prevents chips, scratches and abrasions. Clear advantages include the excellent anti-reflective coating. Plus, the accessory covers the entire display without leaving a single millimeter. But fingerprints will be visible. There is no oleophobic coating here.
6. Spigen Glass Slim EZ Fit . The well-known accessory developer Spigen did not disappoint. The protective glass is really excellent in quality and its protective functions. Yes, the price may seem high. But here it is important to understand that the package includes 2 protective glasses at once. What the manufacturer forgot about was providing a good anti-reflective coating. There are some problems with this.
7. Zagg Invisible Shield Glass Elite . A long name, behind which lies a very high-quality protective glass. Here the main emphasis is placed on the protective properties. But we didn’t forget about the additional advantages of oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings in video. Color rendition at the highest level. Yes, the price is not the lowest, but in many ways it justifies itself.
8. Hoco 5D Full Screen Tempered Glass . An accessory for the latest iPhone that covers and protects the entire display. The kit includes protection for the front and rear panels, which is very nice and quite unexpected. Weaknesses include the lack of protection for the side edges.
9. BodyGuards Pure 2 Edge . Protective glass based on high quality materials. It is based on aluminosilicate technology. This makes the coating several times stronger and more resistant to damage than its tempered glass counterparts. In pursuit of reliability and durability, the manufacturer lost sight of such an important detail as the presence of an effective anti-reflective coating.
10. Zagg InvisibleShield Elite Privacy . It’s important to say right away that the accessory is expensive. But it fully justifies the investment. It provides high-quality protection against damage and defects. There are anti-reflective and oleophobic coatings. Covers the entire screen completely. Plus, it is also glass to protect personal data. It creates a darkening effect when trying to look into the screen from the side.

The variety of accessories for Apple smartphones is amazing. For each generation of iPhone, hundreds and even thousands of different types of protective glass are offered.

Therefore, it is incorrect and incorrect to say that the accessories presented in the rating are the only options for installation. But the products reviewed have gained popularity. They have been tested in practice by many users. And most of them were satisfied with their choice.

Oleophobic coating. AliExpress surprised

Cheap protective glass from AliExpress has an oleophobic coating no worse than Spigen

An oleophobic coating is a nanometer film that consists of an alkyl silane, silicone and a solvent. It is necessary so that it is pleasant to move your finger across the device screen, and fingerprints do not appear .

Apple has been using an oleophobic coating since the iPhone 5. Previously, it was believed that the technology for applying it was very complex and expensive. That is why it could only be on branded safety glasses such as Spigen.

To check for the presence of an oleophobic coating, you need to drop a little water onto the surface using a pipette. If it spreads, there is no coating, but if it turns into balls, there is.

Can you imagine how surprised I was when I discovered an oleophobic coating on both expensive and cheap protective glass ?!

It turns out that the technology has already been made as cheap as possible, so even here the branded accessory has nothing to brag about.

Installing protective glass on a smartphone

Surely everyone is familiar with protective films and the process of their installation. Especially with the bubbles that form, which cause a lot of inconvenience. But there is no such problem here, and the glass installation procedure itself is extremely simple.

1. We wipe the screen initially with a damp cloth, and then with a dry one. Both wipes are supplied complete with protective glasses.
2. Remove the protective film on the purchased glass.
3. We take the ends on both sides and carefully apply the glass to the display. We make sure that the cutout for the “Home” button and the speaker match, and then we fit it in the center.

Usually this is where it all ends, since the edges are already glued to the surface on their own. Even without experience in such work, the user can successfully increase the strength of his iPhone 6s.

Conclusions. AliExpress turned out to be not much worse

Overall, Spigen wins the most in appearance. But is it really that strong?!

As a result, the Spigen branded protective glass has only two obvious advantages: a more attractive appearance and ease of sticking to the iPhone.

It does not outperform the first protective glass you come across from AliExpress, either in hardness or transparency, or in the presence of an oleophobic coating.

A natural question arises: are the design and installation equipment included in the kit really worth buying glass (even a pair) 23 times more expensive?

The question is controversial , and everyone must answer it for themselves. On the one hand, glass is a consumable material for which you need to pay pennies. On the other hand, we love our iPhones, among other things, for their design and don’t want to spoil it.

In the end, it's up to you. If you have extra money, take Spigen or another brand. No, order a dozen from AliExpress for next to nothing for yourself and your friends.

✔️ Choose: Spigen for 2.3 thousand rubles, AliExpress for 100 rubles.

( 44 votes, overall rating: 3.50 out of 5)