The secret to a smudge-proof phone is a matte screen protector
Modern phones are great feats of engineering. Many are also stain magnets. It’s difficult to appreciate high-end industrial design through a thick layer of fingerprints and smudges. Luckily, a change of screen protector might be the only solution you need.
Most screen protectors are glossy. Whether made of thin plastic or reinforced glass, they attract fingerprints on their own. That’s why it’s worth trying a matte screen protector.
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A life with fewer stains
What makes a matte screen protector different from a glossy one? It depends on the texture. Glossy screen protectors are smooth and shiny, much like our phones themselves.
Matte screen protectors are a bit rough. Their surface is less conducive to both forming a fingerprint and showing those that are there. You’re less likely to see streaks build up over time from all the hours you spend swiping up on your screen.
A matte screen protector will change the look of your phone in many ways. For most of these methods, whether people feel improvement is a matter of preference. However, few people argue in favor of a multiplication of tasks.
A phone with less reflections on the screen
A matte screen protector doesn’t just make your phone less ugly. We can also make your screen more readable. They reduce glare, making it easier to use your phone near a window or outdoors. This can make a big difference if you regularly use your phone in public spaces, like university libraries with giant windows or a window seat on a train.
This is a benefit rendered moot on phones whose peak brightness is able to overcome the challenges of reading in direct light, but it’s an approach that strains the battery. A matte screen protector is a passive solution available regardless of the phone currently in your pocket.
If you really want to block out light, you can opt for a matte privacy screen protector. This will not only reduce glare, but also prevent others from looking over your shoulder or peeking from the seat next to you and seeing what’s on your screen.
A better display for reading
When I installed a matte screen protector on my old phone, it wasn’t because I was tired of smudges. Rather, it’s because I heard that a matte screen protector could improve the reading experience. Some Android devices, like TCL NXTPAPER phones and tablets, use matte displays to help them emulate an E-Ink display.
I installed a matte screen protector on my foldable phone. Let me tell you, it was a nerve-wracking experience. Foldable phone manufacturers explicitly tell you not to replace the included screen protector on the phone’s interior screen, but the internet told me that with enough care I could do so without damaging my device. So far this has proven true. My wife uses this phone now and the internal screen still performs well.
I had mixed opinions on the matte screen protector, but I liked the feel it gave my ebooks. The digital text seemed to have a bit more texture, and it wasn’t just how it looked. That’s why I considered a matte screen protector as a step in creating the perfect way to read digital books, comics and magazines.
A slightly less flat digital world
Much of our lives now rely on smooth, glassy screens. A matte screen protector is more tactile. It’s not going to revolutionize your life, but it will make your phone feel different from other devices in your life, like your tablet or smartwatch. Certainly, if you really value the experience, you can also find matte screen protectors for everyone, including your Steam Deck.
I no longer have a matte screen protector on my phone. I moved from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 to the Galaxy Z Fold 6, both purchased second-hand. While I didn’t experience any inconvenience replacing my screen protector the first time, it’s not a process I want to go through again. But when I read ebooks now on my Z Fold 6, I think back fondly on how they felt.
An iPhone or any other traditional panel phone doesn’t raise the concerns I’ve expressed here. A matte screen protector is no more difficult to apply than any other type of protection for your screen. And unlike others, you have to experience it to understand it. Texture is not something that can be conveyed through a photo or video. It is also difficult to describe all my other points.
Installing a screen protector isn’t as frustrating as it used to be, but the process can still be a pain. Luckily, we have a foolproof method to make installing a screen protector easier.
