Whenever we get a new phone, the first thing we think about is how to protect the screen from being rubbed or scratched. Then we start to choose which cell phone screen protector is more suitable, which is more cost-effective and which is more practical? What kind screen protector is relative cheap and good? For my new SAMSUNG Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, why I choose Hydrogel Screen Protector finally?
The reason is, compared with the tempered glass screen protector film, hydrogel screen protector film is designed exclusively for curved-edge cellphones to ensure edge-to-edge protection. It is better touch, higher light transmittance, good flexibility, and no shattering.
When it comes to what kind of phone protection film to buy, most people will prefer tempered glass film, after all, it looks like it can protect the phone screen more, and I am no exception.
Abandon the tempered glass one
Take my new smart phone SAMSUNG Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for example, as we know it is with curved edge screen. When it was with the first tempered glass screen protector I purchased around $9.99 bucks, the feel of the phone screen has become less sensitive.
Despite we can go to the setting option regarding the screen sensitivity, to turn it from OFF to ON, there was no significant difference. Sometimes the touch screen is working, but sometimes not.
If we analyze from the look of the phone with tempered glass screen protector, this type of protector only using adhesive materials both on left and right tip of the protector. It will look as a thin line. We may also see there are the adhesive materials line at the edge of the screen.
One more thing that make people annoyed at this product is, it was a white reflection light on it, yes, I understand it is the glass. So, the screen could not show a totally black color. It is not suitable for an IDR13 million smartphone.
So, I go to find other screen protectors, and people talks about that hydrogel screen protector has been a big hit in the market, is it good to compared with the traditional tempered glass?
Install a high clear hydrogel screen protector front film
I searched online and purchase a $4.99 high clear hydrogel screen protector front film. Then another problem comes. How to install it? Since it is much soft than the tempered glass film, and seems to a bit difficult to install.
After learning many videos on YouTube, I have summarized the following steps:
Step 1: Place the soft hydrogel screen protector on the mobile phone screen, align it properly. If not so well done at the first time, pull up the screen protector and reposition again.
Step 2: Press the positioning adhesive area in the middle of screen protector.
Step 3: The middle line is as the baseline, push the squeegee to evenly squeeze the soft hydrogel protector on both sides.
Step 4: Press slightly the films on the cured edges
The process is not complicated as we thought. If we make it carefully, the screen protector installation is perfect.
Raw material, application, feature and advantages of hydrogel screen protector
Most of the hydrogel screen protectors on the market today are made of TPU, a very common material in the industry, which is between plastic and rubber, and has high transparency and elasticity, and can be used to cushion and protect various parts.
TPU is also the main component of many automobile films.
Features of TPU film:
- Anti-scratch, abrasion resistance, abrasion resistance is more than five times than natural rubber
- Strong tensile property, elasticity, self-repair
- High tear resistance, better than common rubber
- Flexural resistance, the best choice for polymer materials
- Strong environmental performance
- High temperature and low temperature resistance (high temperature 130℃, low temperature -40℃)
- Excellent oil and chemical resistance
- Strong resistance to oxidation
- Generally, TPU screen protector will not turn yellowwith the time passed.
Benefits of hydrogel screen protector film
As a cell phone screen protector, the benefits of hydrogel screen protector film are obvious.
First of all, it is thin and soft, so it can cover the curved screen very well, and the fit is also tighter, not broken edge and warped edge, which is really better than tempered glass film.
The hydrogel screen protector film also has a good elasticity, the surface of some minor scratches, it is possible to slowly rebound repair.
Disadvantages of hydrogel screen protector film
After discussing the advantages, I still have to mention the disadvantages of hydrogel screen protector film.
Firstly, the surface of hydrogel screen protector film is not as smooth as glass, so it usually needs extra lubricating coating to make it feel smooth. Some poor quality films do not have this coating, which can result in a particularly poor feel.
Once again, as for light transmission, it is not as good as glass, indeed worse than tempered glass screen protector, and some poor quality hydrogel screen protector film may be cloudy inside, which can seriously affect the viewing effect of the phone screen.
The hydrogel screen protector film is relatively soft and difficult to apply, so the effect may be more general and unbearable to see on your own.
There are many brands on the market, and customers need to carefully check them to find a supplier with qualified quality.
What needs to emphasize is, any film can not protect the phone screen, the film only plays a buffer role. Both hydrogel screen protector film or tempered glass film is to protect the screen from scratches, the latter is fragile, while the hydrogel screen protector film will not be broken.
To sum up, hydrogel screen protector film, that is Flexible TPU (not tempered glass) fits the screen very well, especially the curved edges of the cellphone. It protects your mobile phone screen from scratches, dirt, stains. And it keeps the original screen in the tactile sense. The transparency allows you to show and enjoy the original phone screen. The screen fingerprint sensor works perfectly.