Provides: iPhone 4 scratch/scuff protection
Developer: XO Skins
Minimum Requirements: iPhone 4
Price: $11.96 (screen only) $19.96 (full body)
Availability: Now
You have a shiny new iPhone 4, and I’m assuming you’d like to keep it shiny, right? One way to keep your iPhone 4 scratch free is to put a screen protector on it. XO Skins’ screen protector does just that and more by covering every flat surface of your iPhone 4 without reducing screen quality.
Installation of the screen protector is a little more involved than that to which you may be accustomed. This is due in part to the fact that there are just more pieces than normal, and they require moisture to be attached correctly. Don’t worry, the instructions are simple. Just be sure to thoroughly clean your iPhone 4 before you start unless you want lint particles under the protector.
You remove the protective sheets like stickers from their packaging and spray them on both sides with the included spray bottle. Then, align the protector on the surface of your iPhone and lay it down, being sure to squeeze out any bubbles along the way. There’s a plastic spudger included to make this easier. The spudger is great, because it makes it easier to squeeze out bubbles since it’s made out of plastic, but don’t go overboard with pressure. If you push too hard, you’ll scratch the protector like I did (oops). All that’s left to do is wait. I’d recommend you apply the protector right before going to bed. When you wake up, you’re iPhone 4 will be ready to go.
You need to give it some time because it needs to set. When you first apply the protector, it looks like it’s going to impede the retina display’s resolution. There are tiny bubbles under the protector at first and the display seems to defract light strangely. The individual pieces also have a tendency to move if you touch them. But after a night of rest, all of this was no longer the case. Sadly, there still may be micro bubbles (or even fingerprints) below the surface, and it’s difficult to completely prevent either of these. You can’t squeeze everything out with the spudger, and how else could you apply the product other than with your hands? I’d say it’s nearly impossible to apply this, or any protector, perfectly.
Application flaws aside, there’s another problem with this screen protector. It does not precisely cover the iPhone 4. It’s very close, but is that good enough for you? For instance, the back piece I applied was too short by about 1mm to cover the back . The front piece had the opposite problem; it was too long by about 1mm. This product seems to be very slightly stretchy, which may account for size discrepancies. Still, you pay for this product to almost exactly cover your iPhone 4. It has all of the cutouts in the proper places for cameras and the earpiece, but I think they could do better in terms of exact sizing.
This kit even comes with side protection, though it’s tedious to install. It’s actually nine pieces, all of which are tiny. You don’t have to use them, so maybe you won’t even bother putting them on. Honestly, I’m not sure the metal antennae need protection, though you may believe it will help with reception issues.
An added feature of a screen protector that applies like this one may not be immediately apparent. The XO Skins protector actually fills in some of the gaps caused by scratches already present on your device. My iPhone 4 is brand new and has no scratches, but they claim 95% of scratches can be filled in with the protector applied. The scratches are still there, you just can’t see them. But your device also shouldn’t get any more scratches. As you can see in this video, the protector may get scratched, but the device remains unharmed in most instances. This stuff was designed to take a beating.
Overall, this kit will protect the vast majority of your iPhone 4 from scratches or other wear. It is applied fairly easily, though protectors like this are always a bit frustrating to put on. It even comes with an extra protector kit in case you have a friend with an iPhone 4 or if you plan on scratching it up often. At less than $20, it’s cheap enough, and the minimal sizing issues are not enough for me to refrain from recommending this product. It still protects your iPhone 4 quite well without diminishing any features, especially the retina display.
[Update (7/30/10): Since this review, XO Skins has changed the template for the iPhone 4 protector. It now fits much more accurately than the original unit I tested. The material is the same, it just fits better now. No more overhang or noticeably large gaps. Nicely done XO Skins.]
Zagg Invisible Shield works lots better and is more precise.
I got my xo skins and installed it after reading applethoughts review. I agree with them in that the skin covers just enough without being so close to the edge that it creates an edge that could peel or collect dust. I have tried zagg before and it was way too sticky. My finger glides over my screen with ease. Unlike anything I have seen.
I like <a href="GadgetShieldzhttp://www.gadgetshieldz.com/">GadgetShieldz</a> better. Aside from being so cheap, it is very easy to install and shapes itself into the curves and outline of the device that you wouldn't notice it is even there.