Accessories complete the set-up for new iPhones.
As we turn the corner into the fall season, we are also on the cusp of new iPhone models being released. When you upgrade, you want to make sure you have the right accessories to outfit your new phone. I always pair my phone with a solid case and screen protector. Because of unfortunate experiences in the past, I try to be prepared for the unexpected and make sure my phone is well-protected. I recently reviewed the Bold Ultra Protection iPhone Case by Casely, which I wholeheartedly recommend for all-around protection of your phone. I have found it combines nicely with the Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protector also from Casely.
DETAILS
The Casely Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protector is made with scratch-free, durable tempered glass. It’s designed with a strong adhesive for easy installation and it is intended to provide HD clarity. Because the screen protector is 100% tempered glass it provides better shatter and scuff protection than plastic does. This covering is also supposed to provide a smudge-free, scratch-free option for iPhone users. The screen protector is available for iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11, iPhone SE (2020), iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X / XS, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6/6s Plus, iPhone 6/6s, Galaxy Note 10 Plus, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S10 Plus, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10E, Galaxy S9 Plus, and Galaxy S9.
USER EXPERIENCE
The first thing to note about this review is that I looked at this screen protector alongside one of Casely’s Bold Ultra Protection cases. This one, in particular, is called “Forever Grateful” and it was created to be a tribute to the Grateful Dead. The case is designed to provide military-grade protection along with a very unique look. The case features the classic skeleton donned in roses. There is a pale blue background, which creates a look that’s reminiscent of the music group. This product is officially licensed by the band and there are additional case designs included in the collection.
Even though the case provides some screen protection with its raised lip (3mm), I still like to add in an actual glass screen protector. This one from Casely has a nice design and the scratch-free, smudge-free properties are wonderful. The main complaint I have about this product is how it’s installed. I do come from a time when you had to guess where to lay the screen protector. It was awkward and almost always frustrating. But, these days, most screen protectors come with some sort of installation border/guide. This screen protector has one piece of film on the adhesive side that you remove and then place on the surface of the phone. The installation instructions simply say the following:
- Clean – Gently clean the device with the provided wet cleaning paper, then completely dry the screen with the dry cleaning paper. Remove any excess debris with dust-absorbing
- Peel – Pull back and remove the protective film on the sticky side of the screen protector. Avoiding touching or scratching the sticky side after removing the film.
- Align – Hold the corner edges and carefully align the screen protector with the phone’s holes and edges, then place the protector on the screen.
- Apply – Press the center of the glass and the adhesive will apply itself. Using your finger or a card, squeeze out air bubbles starting from the center of the screen and move outwards.
As you probably noticed, the instructions seem incomplete (look at the end of #1 – I typed it exactly as it appeared on the box). Not only that, they seem to belong to a different version of the screen protector. The style I received has a cutout at the top of the screen protector. There is no way to align the protector with ‘holes’ on the phone because there are none. In addition to the instructions seeming to be incorrect, part of the kit includes guide stickers, but the instructions don’t mention them at all. Next, it’s important to note that this screen protector might have been intended for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, but it didn’t exactly fit the screen. I did my best to line the screen protector up with the surface of the phone – I even tried to use the case as a guide – but the screen protector was still off-center a bit.
CONCLUSION
While the screen protector has a solid design and is made with quality materials, I think it would be best served by revisiting the installation instructions and kit that is included with it. The user experience definitely suffers with this product because of that. The Forever Grateful case is a very unique design and the case itself is a smart choice for protecting your phone. There is no indication of whether or not these products will be reimaged for the next iPhone series, but given the history of Casely’s products, I think it’s a possibility.
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