Expert Shield UK recently got in touch and asked if I would like to review one of their screen protectors, which they are in the process of launching in the UK as I write this. Of course I said yes because there is nothing more interesting for a technology writer than to review a screen protector… Yes, I am being facetious because writing about a screen protector is akin to being asked by a teacher to write about the inside of a ping pong ball as punishment. The problem is that screen protectors are absolutely necessary for mobile phones and especially smartphones. You don’t spend upwards of £400 on a smartphone and then leave the most delicate part unprotected do you? I certainly don’t and consider spending an extra £5 to be a necessary expense rather than a luxury.
On the rather splendid packaging there is a marketing line “Clings to the screen without air bubbles.” HAHAHAHAHA! I have never, in my entire life, found a screen protector which does not produce air bubbles and tend to approach applying a screen protector with as much preparation as Churchill used in World War II. Because of ‘that’ line I decided to be lazy with the application process this time and prove that the claim is impossible.
I was sent a protector for the Nokia 5800 and started the process- I wiped the screen as clean as I could and then whipped off the bottom layer and lazily stuck it down. I then removed the top layer and studied the results. This then turned into that scene from Something About Mary where Ben Stiller has to search for ‘you know what’ because I could not see the screen protector anywhere. I checked the floor, the back of the top layer, the arm of my shirt and so on, but it was nowhere to be seen.
Closer inspection revealed a perfectly placed screen protector on the Nokia 5800, and most annoyingly no air bubbles! Over the past 10 years I must have applied over 30 screen protectors, but none have gone on so easily, none have looked so invisible and none keep me checking my screen to make sure it is really there.
For £4.95 this is a seriously good screen protector and one that excels in the most important areas- it is easy to apply, invisible and most importantly is able to offer the protection needed for your smartphone. Obviously I have not had time to test its long term durability, but continual scratching of it with my nails has had zero effect on its invisibility.
Is this the best screen protector I have used to date? Probably…
Available from www.expertshielduk.com for £4.95.
“The problem is that screen protectors are absolutely necessary for mobile phones and especially smartphones. You don’t spend upwards of £400 on a smartphone and then leave the most delicate part unprotected do you? ”
I beg to differ.
I used to have a screen protector on my Treo 650, and my Treo 680, but haven’t used one on my subsequent HTC S720, Palm Centro or iPhone, and I’ve never had any problems on any of them with regard to scratching.
OK, I’m careful with them, but not paranoid – worst case scenario is they end up in a pocket with some loose change or occasionally keys.
Each to their own of course, but I won’t be bothering with one.
I beg to differ to your differing:)
“worst case scenario is they end up in a pocket with some loose change or occasionally keys.”
And that is why £5 on a screen protector is a tiny price to pay to protect one of the most vulnerable parts of a £400 phone.
Ah, but as I’ve said, I’ve never scatched a screen, so I’m not sure they’re as vulnerable as some would have us believe.
Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I’ve had the Centro for over a year and it’s been chucked around far more than any of my other phones. I’ve susteained more damage (albeit limited) to casings just by leaving phones on desks or the occasional drop, but I don’t use a case either, because frankly I find them a PITA.
Haven’t put a protector on the iPhone nor the Curve to date, I’m sick of the sinking feeling I get applying them and always failing to get them completely on without any kinks/bubbles. Only screen I have ever scratched was on the Centro and even then I wasn’t that bothered.
Ordered a couple of these on your recommendation. The service is utterly deplorable. They have the protectors in stock, they have of course taken the money and my order continues to be “processing” with no sight of any product 4 days later.
Attempts to contact them are fruitless, they have several different email addresses, the so-called confirmation of order has the appearance of a spoof email and gives a dummy address, and they don’t respond to any of them anyway so don’t bother.
Altogether, a wholly unsatisfactory seller, with appalling service and communication, and no product either. Who cares how good the product is supposed to be if you never get it?
Avoid like the plague. There are other sellers.
Finally! A response using the email from PayPal!
Someway towards redemption, but communication has been very poor up until now – my ordered items are out of stock.
With all this in mind, might consider using again if this product is really so good and feel somewhat reassured this is not a cowboy company.
Did you get my email?
I ordered a protector too, and nothing except for money order confirmation mail. 8 days today and my order is 0000058 in number. Sounds like a scam
In response to Nick and Smudge’s comments we apologize for the delay in delivery but we have received a very high demand for our protectors recently. This has led to an unexpected shortage of protectors which we expect to be back in stock within the next few days.
We would like to offer those who have waited an unacceptable amount of time a free protector of their choice for any model on our website.
I would like to thank you for your understanding and hope this offer is acceptable.
Kind regards,
Edward Tyson
Expertshield UK
info@expertshielduk.com
In response to Nick and Smudge’s comments we apologize for the delay in delivery but we have received a very high demand for our protectors recently. This has led to an unexpected shortage of protectors which we expect to be back in stock within the next few days.
We would like to offer those who have waited an unacceptable amount of time a free protector of their choice for any model on our website.
I would like to thank you for your understanding and hope this offer is acceptable.
Kind regards,
Edward Tyson
Expertshield UK
info@expertshielduk.com
I now have received my order.
The protectors are pretty good, easy to apply, and so far, seem hard-wearing and scratch-resistant.
So, I would recommend the product if you are prepared to wait. I hope the bizarre order confirmation email from a seemingly unrelated company with dummy addresses has been corrected.
I got it too and it is good. Will order again
This is the best internet company I have dealt with,the product is first class,what few bubbles there were came out first try, I am usually a failure at screen protector applying and they normally end up in the waste paper basket, not with this one it was fitted in no time and looks great,I would not hesitate to deal with them again.