What hydrogel film is
Hydrogel film is a thin, soft, flexible film that sticks to the screen as glass does, but bends. That lets it follow the curved edges of a screen that glass cannot easily match, and cover right to the edge without lifting. It is far thinner than glass, so a phone feels almost bare and a case fits as it did before. Light scratches in the surface can fade over time, which is why it is often sold as "self-healing". Deep scratches stay.
The film in this range
The film here today comes in multi-packs, so there are spares. There are packs made for Samsung Galaxy S and Note phones with curved screens, from older models to recent ones, packs for Galaxy S and A phones, and full-cover film for a wide range of iPhone models. Some packs come with cleaning wipes and a scraper to smooth the film down. Choose your exact model on each product page.
Film or glass
- Curves: film follows any curve, and glass has to be shaped to it.
- Scratches: glass resists them better. Film can lose light marks, but keys and grit still mark it.
- Knocks: glass takes a hard knock and cracks in place of the screen. Film gives less protection against a drop.
- Feel: glass is hard and slick, and film a touch softer under the finger.
If you want the toughest front, choose tempered glass or full-cover glass. If glass will not sit flat on your curved screen, or you want the thinnest cover, film is the answer.
Fitting hydrogel film
Film goes on a little differently from glass. Clean the screen, peel back part of the backing, line the film up at one end, then peel away the rest as you smooth it down with the scraper, from the middle out. Small bubbles and a slight haze are normal at first and often clear as the film settles. The guide to fitting a screen protector goes through it step by step.
Questions people ask about hydrogel film
Will it work with my fingerprint reader?
Film is thin, which helps. Samsung advises registering your fingerprints again after fitting any new protector.
Can I use it on a folding phone?
Not on the inner screen of a Galaxy Z Fold or Z Flip: Samsung says not to remove the film fitted there at the factory.
Is there film for the back of the phone?
Yes, see back films and skins.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.
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