I’ve flirted with naked iPhone screens here and there ever since I bought my first iPhone and — while I do like the feel of Apple’s iPhone glass — I simply want more protection for the surface. A screen protector can obviously help prevent scratches, and to some extent, help protect your precious (expensive) iPhone 6 against screen breakage.

Right now, I’m using the ZAGG InvisibleShield HDX for iPhone 6.

Of course, how effective will it be against breakage? I’ve heard all sorts of anecdotal evidence for and against screen protectors — some people have shattered their iPhones with screen protectors while others have purposely dropped their iPhones or hit them with hammers to test their screen protectors — to good success. As for me, I’ve dropped all of my iPhones down to concrete or parking lots and they’ve survived just fine. And while I’ve kept my screens covered for 6 of the 7 years I’ve packed an iPhone, I’ve never dropped one on concrete when it happened to be naked.

Here’s what I do know about the iPhone 6: It has a bigger screen than previous iPhones, and more surface area means it has a higher chance of hitting a piece of gravel in a parking lot. Because my iPhone is an expensive piece of hardware with a service plan I’ll be paying for for two years, if I can use a screen protector to even slightly diffuse the point of impact and absorb even a little energy, I think it’s worth it. Besides, I like the beach, playing outside, and I know how tiny little grains of sand can cause an annoying scratch.

So yeah, screen protectors. I won’t take mine off until the iPhone 7 is nearing its release date.

The ZAGG InvisibleShield HDX

The best screen protector is the one you have. That said, the cheap ones that come from manufacturers with dubious pride behind their quality and their brand . . . are usually not worth messing with. They tend to feel cheap, go on with difficulty, and scratch more easily. On the other hand, ZAGG has a lifetime warranty: If you register the purchase of your ZAGG InvisibleShield online, ZAGG will honor a lifetime replacement warranty — if you scratch or damage your InvisibleShield, ZAGG will replace the screen protector for as long as you own the device.

Because the iPhone 6 has rounded glass edges, the installation is a bit different than it is on previous generations of iPhones. What you’re trying to do is center the InvisibleShield over the flat portion of the screen, which will leave the rounded edges uncovered. Why? Think about it . . . it would be difficult to create a film that would adhere to those rounded corners. Should you worry about this? No — just get a case that covers the rounded glass. (If you want to use a naked iPhone and are willing to risk losing hundreds of dollars, more power to you. I’m not.)

The case I’m using right now? The excellent Speck Products CandyShell Grip for iPhone 6 case — read my review here.

ZAGG claims that the InvisibleShield HDX has 3x the shatter protection. How does ZAGG figure that out? It’s not clear, but in a video drop test of a one-pound weight released at 10.00 inch-pounds (whatever that means) a smartphone glass screen shattered. When the test was repeated at 30-inch pounds on a couple of phones with the ZAGG InvisibleShield HDX installed, neither phone’s screen broke. Check it out:

How does the content on my iPhone look with the shield installed? Sharp and clear. I’m pleased.

If you’re more concerned with maintaining the feel and clarity of real glass, consider the ZAGG InvisibleShield Glass for iPhone 6 version. (ZAGG doesn’t claim the same drop protection as the HDX, though.)

Get the Gear:

Zagg InvisibleShield HDX for iPhone 6
Zagg InvisibleShield HDX for iPhone 6 Plus
Zagg InvisibleShield Glass for iPhone 6
Zagg InvisibleShield Glass for iPhone 6 Plus
Zagg InvisibleShield Original for iPhone 6

Speck Products CandyShell Grip for iPhone 6 Case

See also, 10 Best Screen Protectors for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

 

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4.4

Pros

  • Great protection
  • Excellent warranty
  • Good clarity

Cons

  • No cons!
Clarity
Feel
Protection
Cost

About the author

Chris Maxcer

Twitter Website

I've been writing about the tech industry since the birth of the email newsletter, and I still remember the clacking Mac keyboards from high school -- Apple's seed-planting strategy at work. I'm a big fan of elegant gear and great tech, but there's something to be said for turning it all off -- or most of it -- to go outside. Online I like to call out cool stuff on Wicked Cool Bite and blog with my buddies at Man Makes Fire. To catch me, take a "firstnamelastname" guess at the url of this site.