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.

[GoPackGo]

OtterBox Defender too. I like how grippy the material is and also how perfectly the OtterBox push buttons function - just like you're pushing the buttons on the Iphone itself. And I have heard some pretty amazing first-hand accounts about how well these cases protect phones.

[Happytraveler]

On my iPhone I have the Otterbox Defender and I replaced the Otterbox screen with Ghost Armor. I would love to have the LifeProof NUUD case,:B perhaps next time I get a new phone.

[mlts22]

+1 on the Otterbox line of cases. I use those on my iPhones and Android devices. The sole exception is my HTC One X+, which the Otterbox's screen protector seemed to cause issues with some gestures, so I bought a Ballistic-brand case that covers all sides, but doesn't have a film for the screen. So far, so good.

[WyoTraveler]

Dropping inside on the floor or scratches the Galaxy S3 usually handles OK. I dropped mine in a shopping center parking lot and it is dead.

Now AT&T claims they will get you a new phone in 24 hours. That is a bunch of hokey pokey. It took 40 hours just to process mine and I still haven't received another phone. If it comes today it will be 96 hours.

I guess what they mean is they will bill your account $199 within 24 hours for the insurance. :B

[Pauljdav]

powderman426 wrote:
You really don't need to worry about scratching the screen as they use gorilla glass. I find that the silicon rubber boot works as well as anything to protect it if dropped and they are available on eBay for a couple bucks.

x2 this is what I use. The screens are very tough. I keep my phone in my pocket with keys and change etc and after almost 2 years no scratches.
I also bought a cheap silicon rubber cover that I thought would only last couple of months and it is still working!. I have dropped my phone many times over the last couple of years.

Paul

[donn0128]

Two plus years with my droid bionic and the screen is still clear no scratches. Few dings in the plastic case. I use a belt clip case and that seems to work fine. Case and all has dropped a couple of times still no damage. Otter box is nice but soooo bulky besides you can't use bigger battery with most cases. I prefer the longer battery life and learn to be careful if the phone.

[pinesman]

I used to have an otterbox defender on my blackberry but chose the Ballistic SG MAXX for my s3

[hershey]

I carry my Droid Razor without any protective case in my front pant pocket. I tried a silicone case but I couldn't get it out of my pocket without a struggle. I just use a protective screen that I had Verizon put on....absolutely no bubbles or flaws, I don't know its there.
The protective film I had on a previous phone was installed by me and was very bubbly and ugly.

[strollin]

I use Ghost Armor on my phone and tablet which seems to work great for me. I don't use a case for either device because cases just seem to get in the way. For instance, I would need to remove the case from my tablet in order to put it into my charging dock.

I dropped my phone on the concrete floor in my garage and it came through the drop without so much as a scratch. I was using my tablet one time and sneezed which caused me to drop the tablet onto a linoleum floor. It came through that OK except that the 2 halves of the case separated slightly in the upper left corner. Just needed to press firmly and the it snapped back into place.

I was with a buddy of mine when he was installing an Otterbox case on his iPhone. There was a large hole in the back of the case that we couldn't figure out why it was there since there was no camera, speaker, mic, etc... in that area. Once the phone was installed in the case it became apparent that this large hole was there simply so that the Apple logo could still be seen with the case on. What a great feature! :S

[Joseph_T1]

Ditto on the Otterbox Defender. Great case. Have dropped my iPhone numerous times without any damage. It has a great belt clip too.

[camping_man]

I fix 20 to 30 phones a month , and known as the phone fixer around here, and i can tell you, they break with even the thick rubber cases, but they do offer more protection. I just finished one yesterday that was just in the guys pocket, with his keys. When he bend down, the keys must of applied to much pressure in one spot on the screen. Last week I did one where the girl had the Otterbox, but threw it at her boy friend, and it broke. My advice is, get an Iphone, the screens are 20% cost of the others. I've fixed some, and in two days, their back and I'm replacing them again.

[wcjeep]

For the same screen I prefer the standard protection sold by Verizon. I use a different product on my tablets.

[paulcardoza]

Scratching the Gorilla Glass used on newer smartphone screens is very difficult to do. Shattering them with a drop is not difficult at all. An OtterBox Defender, as others have recommended, is a terrific choice.

I do remove the plastic screen protector from mine though as I find it to me more of a PITA than anything else. With or without the plastic screen protector, if the phone falls just right, the screen will shatter. The Defender will protect the phone from the vast majority of drops though.

[blangen]

X2 on the Otterbox Defender.

[Bill_Satellite]

We put the ZAGG invisible shield on our smart phones plus Janet's Kindle Fire. I am very hard on my equipment and there are already scratches on the shield. If it gets a bit more scratched they will install a new one for about $5. I have not seen any preformance issues on my G3 but on my wife's phone it seems to make the camera function a bit harder to operate but she is used to it and has no issues. I also installed a 2 piece case for the G3 that I got from Verizon like this: Hard Case This puts the screen inside the case at all times when not in my hand and it has saved it when I have dropped it but there's not really any sort of cushioning effect.