When it launched in September 2019, the iPhone 11 was actually the 13th iPhone model to be released—and if you’re counting the different sizes of models over the years, such as the Pluses and Maxes, there are even more. Unfortunately the upgrades don’t yet improve a scratchproof, shatterproof screen, and that’s where a screen protector comes in.
Forget the sticky-back plastic type of screen protector that may have been your first encounter with this type of protection. Today’s versions are much more sophisticated. Look for those made from tempered glass that is usually somewhere between a quarter and a third of a millimeter thick—they’re designed to be as barely there as possible, while still providing adequate protection for the screen underneath it.
While a screen protector will protect your phone from scratches and scuffs—the idea is that the replaceable protector bears the brunt of the damage rather than your actual phone—you also want to look for the words ‘hydrophobic’ and ‘oleophobic.’ This means that the protector is designed to resist sweat and oil, so you shouldn’t find it with fingerprints and greasy marks all over it.
Some of the biggest issues that people have with protectors is applying them so that they sit straight and smooth, so look for a protector that comes with an installation guidance frame. This will help ensure that you get it right the first time. It’s worth noting that because of the rounded nature of the iPhone 11, your protector won’t reach all the way to the edges of the screen—which is why it’s a good idea to use the protector in association with a case.