If you own a recent flagship phone, chances are you no longer need a screen protector. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S26 has Corning Gorilla Victus 2 applied to the front. In the Knoop scratch test, where the glass is tested against a pyramid-shaped diamond indenter, Corning Gorilla Victus 2 began to show signs of scratching and cracking at a force of 7 to 10 Newtons. This is the same scratch resistance offered by the original Corning Gorilla Victus, but it can now survive drops of up to one meter onto concrete. Thus, modern phone screens are designed to withstand numerous tests. That being said, even Gorilla Glass can still be scratched by everyday materials.
When we put a screen protector on these phones, it’s simply for an extra layer of protection instead of being an essential accessory. The screen protector will crack if you drop it from a high enough distance and it hits the ground with a lot of force, just like Corning Gorilla Victus 2. It’s essential to handle your phone with care to avoid a costly screen replacement down the line.
No screen protector, no problem
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If you’ve had your screen protector for a while, you may notice that it has some scratches. It can get them every time you carelessly place your phone screen on a hard surface or put it in your pocket with items like keys, coins or even pocket knives. Even though these screens are very scratch resistant, they are not. So avoid subjecting it to anything that could scratch it, especially if it is harder than the glass itself.
Sand and dust are common examples of materials that can be abrasive against your phone’s screen, resulting in scratches. Cleaning your screen regularly can ensure that your screen is free of fine dust which can be difficult to spot. To clean your screen, prepare a cleaning fluid by mixing equal parts water and isopropyl alcohol (this kills germs accumulated on the surface), and gently wipe the surface with a microfiber cloth. Avoid using more than 70% isopropyl alcohol or harsh chemicals, as these can damage the screen coatings.
Do you still need blue light and privacy screen protectors?
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Blue light can keep you up at night, leading manufacturers to claim that using a blue light screen protector does more than just protect your screen: it helps you sleep better. Blue light filtering screen protectors typically filter out between 30% and 60% of your phone’s blue light emissions. However, using your phone’s built-in blue light filter feature is often more effective and, better yet, free. Additionally, a software solution is preferable because you can schedule it to turn on in the evening and off in the morning. You don’t need a specially coated screen protector that gives your phone’s screen a perpetual yellowish tint that can harm color accuracy.
As for privacy screen protectors, it depends. These appear clearly when you look directly at your phone, preventing anyone looking sideways at them from seeing anything. If you normally use your phone at home or in private spaces, a privacy screen protector is probably overkill. There are downsides to a privacy screen protector, including that it’s difficult to show people next to you what’s on your phone’s screen (you have to hand the phone to them) or see notifications when your phone is next to you. It can even make your screen look grainy or pixelated and make your phone’s screen darker, forcing you to turn up the brightness, which drains the battery faster.
