Screen protectors are a common way to protect expensive electronic screens, but does Apple recommend using them for their devices?
Apple does not have an official stance on screen protectors, but according to one Apple Genius, Apple does not recommend using a screen protector. However, Apple sells Belkin screen protectors on their official website. Electronic screens cost hundreds of dollars to replace, and a screen protector costs $6-$11. So it’s an expensive way to protect your device.
In this Quora thread, you can see what one Apple Genius said, and below is the photo from Apple’s official website.
While Apple doesn’t have an official stance, you have to think Apple WANTS you to break your screen so they can repair it, which costs big $$$ via their repair program.
My friend dropped his iPhone 12, and despite Apple’s claims of the strength of their gorilla glass, his screen still shattered.
I guarantee this has happened to you or someone you know who didn’t have their expensive Apple device protected.
My aim is that by the end of this article, you will understand how important a screen protector is and why you should have them on most of your devices.
4 Reasons You Should Use a Screen Protector
1. Screen Protectors Protect Your iPhone/iPad From Damage
The above photo says it all. If you ever drop an iPad, even with a magic keyboard at an awkward angle, the glass WILL smash!
All Apple glass is gorilla glass, a brand of chemically strengthened designed to be thin, light, and damage resistant. In addition, it is extremely scratch resistant and harder than carbon steel.
Does this mean the glass doesn’t break or scratch? Of course not! Have you or anyone you know dropped an iPhone at a bad angle, which caused the glass to break? The iPad is the same, except you are less likely to drop your iPad as often as your iPhone as typically they are not used on the go.
However, I dropped my iPad today because it got caught in a cable. These freak accidents happen enough to justify purchasing a screen protector, which you can get for a bargain on Amazon.
If you are not careful with your Tech (like me) and slap your iPad in a backpack (see below), anything hard like hard will scratch your iPad, especially if you don’t have a screen protector or a case like the Magic Keyboard.
It’s the same if you throw your iPhone next to your keys, purse, or jeans pocket. Keys are sharp enough to scratch gorilla glass.
I just checked the repair cost of an iPhone 13s broken screen. With Apple Care, it was $29, but without, it was $279! The bigger the iPhone’s screen size, the more expensive the repair.
If you don’t want to use a screen protector, it is good to know if it’s worth repairing a broken iPad screen or buying a new iPad altogether. You can learn the repair costs in my helpful article.
2. Screen Protectors Mostly Do Not Affect the iPad/iPhone Experience
Look at the above photos. I bet it’s difficult to tell which image has a screen protector.
The iPad screen is beautiful, I can understand if a screen protector made the colors look washed or ugly, but this is nowhere near the case.
I don’t even notice the screen protector when I use my iPad. Even now, with a cracked screen protector on the top left of the screen, it doesn’t affect my use.
Suppose you BREAK your iPad screen! That is a different story. The cracks on the screen will slowly become worse, eventually making your iPad unusable.
The screen protector doesn’t make a difference with anything you do on the iPad, watching movies, playing games, or playing games.
The only time a screen protector will affect your experience is when you use the Apple Pencil on the screen protector.
The touch screen cannot be used when air bubbles build up beneath the screen. It’s most noticeable with the Apple Pencil, as the technology requires precise movements.
With an iPhone, I never notice it has a screen protector. I’d argue protecting your iPhones screen is more important than the iPad. Typically, we don’t move around with an iPad, but iPhones are commonly dropped from high heights on dark surfaces like concrete as we often hold them.
The iPhone’s screen is unaffected using a screen protector. As a Tech blogger, I cannot find ONE reason not to use a screen protector for any mobile device, especially an expensive iPhone.
3. Screen Protectors Are Easy to Take Off
For both iPhones and iPads, you can easily put a screen protector on and take it off within seconds.
You can see my YouTube video, where I demonstrate putting on and taking off the screen protector. It was JUST before dropping my iPad.
If you are a designer or an artist, usually, your iPad will be mounted on a stand where it doesn’t need to be protected. So remove the screen protector, do your drawings and then put it back when you need to carry your iPad.
You can look at the best iPad stands on Amazon for a great price.
Want to keep your iPads healthy? Discover the best percentage to charge your iPad to keep it working as long as possible in my helpful article.
4. Screen Protectors Can Save You Hundreds of $$$
iPad Screen Replacement Costs
| iPad Pro | AppleCare+ service fee | Out-of-warranty service fee |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) Wi-Fi | $ 49 | $ 699 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular | $ 49 | $ 749 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) | $ 49 | $ 649 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) | $ 49 | $ 649 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) | $ 49 | $ 599 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch | $ 49 | $ 599 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) Wi-Fi | $ 49 | $ 499 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular | $ 49 | $ 549 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) | $ 49 | $ 499 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch | $ 49 | $ 499 |
| iPad Pro (10.5-inch) | $ 49 | $ 449 |
| iPad Pro 9.7-inch | $ 49 | $ 379 |
iPhone Screen Repair Costs
| AppleCare+ service fee | Out-of-warranty service fee | |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | $29 | $ 329 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | $29 | $ 279 |
| iPhone 13 | $29 | $ 279 |
| iPhone 13 Mini | $29 | $ 229 |
| iPhone 12 | $29 | $ 279 |
| iPhone 11 | $29 | $ 199 |
| iPhone X | $29 | $ 279 |
| iPhone 8 | $29 | $ 149 |
| iPad Pro 7 | $29 | $ 149 |
| iPhone 6 | $29 | $ 129 |
| iPhone SE (3rd generation) | $29 | $ 129 |
| iPhone 5 | $29 | $ 129 |
Just look at the $ prices for an iPad screen repair! Do you know how much a screen protector costs? $6-$11 for three sheets of protected glass.
An iPad is not cheap. You will spend between $329-$1600 for an iPad. Even an entry model like the great iPad 8th generation is worth protecting. I cannot imagine how bad I would have felt if I dropped my M1 iPad Pro, destroyed the screen, and had to pay $499, which I don’t have to replace!
I think the $6-$11 to protect your iPad with a screen protector is a no-brainer. If you decide to go unprotected, don’t go crying to me when you drop it! I warned you.
You don’t need a screen protector if your iPad is permanently attached to a stand in your studio. Still, you will take your iPad out and about, and you only need to drop it once for irreversible screen damage.
I was biking with my iPhone 7 Plus, my phone fell from my pocket, and you guessed it, a huge smash on the iPhone’s screen.
It still works, but it isn’t the same as using a device with a broken screen. It was my backup iPhone, but even if I wanted to sell it on a site like eBay, its value is so low because of the screen damage.
Aside from the iPhone’s screen, the battery is the most important iPhone feature. Do you know the tell-tale signs that show your iPhone’s battery needs replacing? To learn for sure, you can read my helpful article.