The Best Ways to Protect Your iPhone Screen

Photo by DariuszSankowski, CC0 1.0

We all love our phones but their constant use comes at a high price- no matter how careful you are, it’s very easy to shatter the screen or drop it in a puddle. Thankfully there are several accessories to help you keep your iPhone in top shape no matter what abuse you put your phone through.

What is an iPhone 6 screen made from?

Apple uses potassium enhanced glass referred to as “ion-strengthened glass.” Additionally, a sensitive film is placed over the screen to conduct electricity and function as a touch screen. You can read more about all the interesting elements that go into making your iPhone 6 but essentially, the answer is that your screen is made out of reinforced glass. Despite reinforcement, however, the screen is still highly susceptible to shattering and other environmental dangers.

The old way of protecting phone screens attempted to protect the phone from scratches with messy, sticky plastic covers that did nothing to prevent shattering. Now developers are shifting to using glass screen-covers to absorb the impact that would normally break your screen, breaking the cover instead. Consumers seem in agreement that they’d rather replace the protective case than their phone.

If your screen is already cracked or you need other iPhone repair, always consult a professional. You want to be sure you trust your phone not only to skilled but honest professionals.

Accessories

People with messy jobs or who lack coordination usually enjoy a combination of accessories to fully protect their phone. This usually includes a case and a screen protector but depending on your needs you may need other features. Here are some of the sorts of iPhone protection accessories you can purchase:

• The perfect case: Cases are meant to protect your phone from surface scratches and fall damage. Ideally it will have a rubbery, shock-absorbing feature used in conjunction with a hard shell. Most include buttons so you can manipulate your phone and use extensions without taking off the case. Depending on how often and severely you may drop your phone, you may need a stronger but bulkier unit.
• A strong screen protector: You’ll have to decide, much like with the cases, how much protection you need. For every degree of protection, you lose some of the sleek form and function of the iPhone 6. If you just want to protect your screen from nicks and scratches, for example, there are a number of slim, bubble-free options and some that are even ‘self-healing’. Or, you could go for a thick, tempered glass option which will further protect your screen from shattering.
• Water-proof protection: Life is unpredictable, as anyone who has ever dropped their phone in the toilet will tell you. If you’re interested in water-proofing your precious iPhone 6, there are several options for you. Companies like LifeProof make cases and screen protectors that provide your phone with water-tight security. With water-proof protection you can use your phone in the snow, mud and sand because they offer superior environmental defense.
• Anti-bacterial solutions: If you haven’t heard, smartphones can harbor a host of undesirable bacteria, spreading it from our pockets and purses right to our fingertips and ears. The smart solution is to regularly maintain your iPhone, and there are a number of products available. There are sprays and wipes specifically designed to be gentle on your phone, as well as devices that simultaneously charge and clean your phone with UV sanitation.

If you remember anything, let it be that for now, iPhone screens are still just made of glass and are relatively fragile. Treat your iPhone with the respect an expensive and delicate instrument deserves and use the accessories that match your lifestyle.