protecting my new smart phone

[eddd]

I finally had to give up my not-so-old slider when it ran out of memory after an update. I ended up with a Samsung
Galaxy s3.

I've already ordered a case that surrounds the phone giving some protection from a drop. Now I'm looking to add protection to the screen, if it is really needed. Do the plastic sheets that go over the screen do anything other than protect from scratches? Are there downsides to their use? Is there anything that helps protect the screen from breakage? Is there a completely different product/system I should consider?

Thanks.

[richk88]

I would put a screen protector on that GS3,(I like Ismooth screen protectors)yes the gs3 has gorilla glass but it still scratches,my buddy has a pretty nice size scratch on his gs3 screen,other then that treat it like a new born baby and get insurance,if carrying it in your pocket always face the screen in towards your body and try not to put anything else in your pocket with your phone especially metal things like keys.aside from being extremely careful there is only so much any case or screen protector will do to protect the phone if it's dropped and lands just the wrong way.

[1775]

Not all phones have Gorilla Glass displays. If your phone does not then yes, you want a screen protector. I have Ghost Armor on my phone and my wife's phone. Ghost Armor has kiosks in some malls and they will install it for you. I liked the feel of the screen of the Ghost Armor material over the Zagg Invisible Shield. If you want the Zagg, Best Buy will install it for $15 plus the material. The Ghost Armor has a lifetime warranty and the kiosk will install it for $5 (and if they no longer have one for your phone at the kiosk, you order it yourself under warranty from the company and then take it to have it installed). You are touching the screen a lot so even if you don't drop it you run the risk of marking the screen up without a screen protector.

[loggenrock]

Current phone encased in Otterbox - BUT... you might want to to look at Lifeproof cases - since they TRULY make stuff WATERPROOF. Watched a friend submerse his iPad in a sink full of water - kinda cool since the camera was on! Pricey, but could save your phone! ST

[ChooChooMan74]

Otterbox all the way.

[skipnchar]

There are several choices for screen covers (static cling style) that work very well. You can pay as much as $20.00 for one of them or buy 3 sheets of "cut your own" for ABOUT $3.00. I use the $3.00 type myself since they all work the same.

[strollin]

crcr wrote:
I have used Ghost Armour screen protector for years. I go get it as soon as I get a new phone. Check their website, if you live somewhere where they have their kiosks, you can get them installed there. Replacements when they get beat up, are $5. I find it not only protects the screen from scratches, but makes the screen much easier to wipe off.

Technically, the Ghost Armor has a Lifetime Warranty and replacement is free, the $5 is a labor charge for them to install it for you. If you want to install it yourself, the replacement is free.

[Pawz4me]

Another vote for the Otterbox Defender.

[crcr]

I have used Ghost Armour screen protector for years. I go get it as soon as I get a new phone. Check their website, if you live somewhere where they have their kiosks, you can get them installed there. Replacements when they get beat up, are $5. I find it not only protects the screen from scratches, but makes the screen much easier to wipe off.

[bwanshoom]

LifeProof is a nice looking case, but it appears they only make them for iPhones. OP has a Samsung Galaxy S3.

[hitchup]

DH has had Otterbox on his personal iPhone for quite awhile. His company just upgraded him to a Windows phone and sent another Otterbox. The clip broke the first week.

So when he upgraded to an iP5, he tried the LifeProof. More expensive, but is waterproof/shockproof. Which on a muddy jobsite, those features can come in handy. He likes it better and hasn't had any negatives like some of the reviews. Except the screen cover doesn't sit flush like the Otterbox.

[WI_Bowhunter]

Buy a warranty plan! I never buy warranty for anything, butwhen I upgraded to a smart phone, I thought I would try it out. Best Buy adds $10.49 a month for this service. I dropped my phone in water twice and smashed the screen one other time and they replaced it free of charge each time. My warranty has paid off! By the way, I never ruined a normal cell phone in the 10 years or so that I have had them...something about a smart phone that I seem to drop more.

[wildwest450]

Zagg is awesome, ran my phone over while riding my bike, didn't even scratch the plastic.

[GoPackGo]

I don't wear the holster. Frankly, I've never even thought twice about that question BUT - The tighter the pants, the more difficult it's gonna be. I do put the phone in my front pockets, not the back pockets.

[eddd]

Thanks for the input so far. One question about the Otterbox Defender...

It seems like it would be a pain to get it in and out of your pocket. I would like to avoid having to wear the clip and holster.

How hard is it to get in and out of a pocket?