Zagg shield question for iPhone 4?

[tredstone]

I've used invisibleshield before on my 3GS (it was great, after about a year of use my screen was pristine when I peeled it off to sell the phone).

I just got a black bumper for my i4 and I'll be adding a invisibleshield to the back of the phone, but I don't think I'll cover the front as I think it'll compromise the retina display clarity a bit. On the back I don't really care if there's a minor 'orange peel' effect... better than having scratches.

 

[OTACORB]

I have a Bumper on with Phantom Skinz, but it feels to me as though the Phantom Skinz is a good bit thinner than the Zagg (which has gotten overly thick and "gloppy").

Alli the Phantom Skinz that you put on, I watched your video. Did look thinner from what I could see. Any orange peel effect at all?

Enjoyed your installation video by the way! Thanks for posting it.

 

[Alli]

No orange peel at all. It's remarkably clear, except for the couple of places where I did wind up getting a solitary cat hair - fortunately, very small ones.

Thanks!

 

[scottdoc718]

Im not sure what the drawback is of the "orange peel". You can see some texture if you reflect light off of it at the right angle when its off. But when its on, it is invisible. Actually, I think the skin will help diffuse any reflections while using it. Much like a matte finish would vs. a piece of glass. I have noticed that the zagg skin is "gripier" than the standard glass. I like that as well. I have to admit, I have never tried another brand tho.

 

[OTACORB]

Im not sure what the drawback is of the "orange peel". You can see some texture if you reflect light off of it at the right angle when its off. But when its on, it is invisible. Actually, I think the skin will help diffuse any reflections while using it. Much like a matte finish would vs. a piece of glass. I have noticed that the zagg skin is "gripier" than the standard glass. I like that as well. I have to admit, I have never tried another brand tho.

Yeah I think you are correct. Some of us tend to be a bit anal about things like this. I have to say today mine looks really good and I am pretty darn happy with it. It is very important that folks give these things a sufficient period of time to really cure and adhear to the device. I initially was really bothered by the orange peel effect, but now it doesn't seem so bad. Plus I also find that with time it seems to have really gotten pretty invisible and I can't tell it is on there when the display is on.

None the less time will tell as to rather I keep mine on there or go with the PowerSupport Screen Protector once they are released.

 

[kilsey]

Good point - when I look at it dead-on, the Invisible Shield is, well, invisible

I like the tactile "grippiness" of the texture as well...

 

[BradM73]

This evening I returned my Zagg Invisishield to Best Buy. No problems returning it. I just told them the truth, that it began peeling, and it wasn't invisible, and I didn't want to exchange it for another one due to the thought of having to reapply the liquid to the phone.

In the past few days since I last posted, my Invisishield got progressively worse. There was a LOT of spotting and peeling, and even though the film was relatively invisible while viewing the phone straight on, it was still a major distraction for me. I can't think of a situation where reapplying the film would have made the outcome any better for me. Personally, I didn't like the texture, the peeling, the bubbles, or the surface of this product at all. I'm happy for the people that had a good experience with this product, but it's definitely not for me.

Instead, I'm keeping my eyes out for one of the screen protectors that is more like a hard piece of lexan that sits on the surface of the screen like I had for my old 3G and 3GS. I'm hopeful that in the coming weeks more will be offered for the iPhone 4.

I just wanted to give an update on my experience as well as the return as someone else had asked me to post about any issues I had returning it. I'm glad to say that the return process was less painful that the product itself.

 

[OTACORB]

Thanks Brad for the update! The Zagg Invisible Shield is really not very easy to install. The videos always make it look so easy, but I had to realign mine multiple times to get it just right. I am a bit anal about this stuff anyway. None the less mine really looks very good. It is even on the sides, top and bottom. I see no peeling up and it fact is has cured to the display probably better than any of them I have ever installed.

I initially went with the Zagg because of my previous experience with it protecting so well. I actually had planned to do a screen protector like the PowerSupport, but it seems they have been reformulating their screen protectors to take advantage of the Retina display. I will likely reconsider my Zagg once those actually do come out and I see the reviews on them. I hope their kit will include one for the front and back.

I am content with my Zagg for now because there was no way I was going naked for any period of time because my luck I'd end up with scratches.

Glad the refund was no hassle as I had heard mixed things about returning these things after they had been used.

 

[BradM73]

@ OTA

At first it looked fine. The first few days, I didn't notice many issues at all. The screen was clear (aside from the orange peel look), and there is no doubt that the protection is great. But on the 3rd day, I woke up one morning and there were bubbles appearing on both the front and back. I got rid of them with the squeegie, but then they returned again the next day. The 6th day, it began peeling from one corner on the back and REALLY started noticing a worming effect which I think started a day or two before. When I went to peel it off, it seemed like it was definitely attached well, so where the bubbles came from is anyone's guess.

I'm glad you and many others have had better luck than I. If it hadn't been for the bubbling and peeling, I probably would have kept it, even though the price is steep. If I had had a better experience, the only major complaint I could think of about this product would be the orange peel effect on the screen. That was a major turn off for me. For now though, I'm keeping my eyes peeled (no pun intended) for one of the hard shields.

 

[OTACORB]

I think a lot of folks are waiting on the reformulated PowerSupport Screen Protectors. From what in understand they have improved them to take advantage of the retina display. These too are a bit expensive, but in my experience worth the price of admission.

Strange experience you had with the invisible shield because usually after days they cure and stay put. I have never seen that happen.

 

[Chris_c81]

Yeah I'm still holding out for a hero in the form of PowerSupport!

 

[BradM73]

Yea, it looks like the Power Support iPhone Crystal film set might be what I'm looking for. Unfortunately it shows that it won't be shipping until July 26th and info on it is extremely light right now. It does say it comes with two crystal screen films and a pre-installation film. I wonder what a pre-installation film is? Also, I wonder if it means just a film for the front and back, or two sets of films? I'm guessing just one for the front, one for the back. Plus, $19.95 is ~33% better than $29.99.

I can't remember the name of the films I used for my 3G and 3GS, but when I bought my 3G at the Apple store, I got a 3-Pack set. One I used for my 3G, and the second I used for my 3GS, and I still have my 3GS, and other than a little nick in the surface, it still looks flawless. I want to say they were old DLO films, but I'm not sure. They lasted the whole year for my 3G, and it still looked brand new when I took photos of it for Ebay.

Speaking of DLO, I'm REALLY hoping for a new Jam Jacket for the iPhone 4. I LOVED my Jam Jacket for my 3G, which moved on to my 3GS. I really need to call them up and ask what they have coming down the pipe for iP4. I tried e-mailing them, but it got rejected. <sigh>

 

[OTACORB]

Yea, it looks like the Power Support iPhone Crystal film set might be what I'm looking for. Unfortunately it shows that it won't be shipping until July 26th and info on it is extremely light right now. It does say it comes with two crystal screen films and a pre-installation film. I wonder what a pre-installation film is? Also, I wonder if it means just a film for the front and back, or two sets of films? I'm guessing just one for the front, one for the back. Plus, $19.95 is ~33% better than $29.99.

Yeah it is a while to wait, which is why I am keeping my Invisible Shield for the time being. I am more interested in the Anti-Glare version, though they will have had to improve them for them to be acceptable on the iPhone 4 retina display. The pre-installation film is just a film you put on your display to pull up any possible lint or dust off the screen. Then you lay the actual screen protector once you pull off the pre-installtion film.

Like you said the information if rather scant, but I hope this includes both a front and rear screen because it is being called set. So does that mean two full sets front and back or just one set front and back. I guess we'll see.

Again I am more interested in them explaining more about the reformulated version of the anti-glare.

 

[OTACORB]

Well Brad, I got to eat a little crow here tonight. I went to the gym this evening did a really good workout. Listening to some jam and I went to change what I was listening too and notice this big bubble on my screen. I was like WTF? It has been applied for well over 7 days now and just now doing this crap? This morning it looked great! So, when I got home I tried to get that bubble out and the more I messed with it the worse and uglier it got. GEEZ! Needless to say I ended up having to just take it off.

I also want to correct something else I said too! Once I took it off and looked at my screen. I was amazed at how much MORE crisp it was, so whoever in an earlier post, said this and I disagreed. You are right!

I am done with Zagg's Invisible Shield. Fortunately my Incipio Feather case came with a couple of Crystal Screen Protectors, so I installed one of those on there. Not totally satisfied with it. It certainly isn't a PowerSupport Screen Protector, but it will do until I can get one. One thing for sure it doesn't reduce the crispness of the display.

So, Yeah Guys!!! I am eating a little crow here tonight on both counts!

 

[Chris_c81]

Least you had the balls to eat a little crow! Most people on t'internet don't!

 

[BradM73]

@OTA

I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing problems with the ZAgg too. I guess that makes me feel a little bit better about my install job. I was really surprised to see bubbles appearing out of nowhere on min, after reading other peoples problem, it doesn't seem like a unique issue that only I had. I'm sure within the coming month or two, we'll have lots of new options. I'm holding out for a DLO Jam Jacket for the iPhone 4!

 

[tredstone]

I think the zagg is great to protect the back, but Im sure on the front you'd have reduced clarity.