Picking the right protector · For iPhone specifically
How to choose
Match the model exactly
iPhones look similar across model years but their dimensions vary by millimetres in ways that matter for screen protectors. A protector designed for iPhone 15 won't fit an iPhone 16 properly — Dynamic Island cutouts have shifted, edge curvature varies, Face ID sensor positions move. Every product we recommend has the model variant clearly specified. Don't be tempted by listings that claim universal fit across multiple generations.
Single vs. multi-pack — which to buy
For current-generation Pro and Pro Max iPhones, where the device costs £999+ and screen replacement at Apple Store runs £349-379, the premium single-pack from Belkin is the right call. The quality difference is real — better optical clarity, more durable oleophobic coating, better fit. For everything else — standard iPhones, Plus models, older generations, hand-me-down phones — the two- or three-pack from Spigen or ESR is the sensible choice. You'll break one within a year. Having the spare in the drawer beats waiting two days for Prime delivery while your screen is exposed.
Face ID, Dynamic Island, and Action Button — what to verify
Face ID works through any quality screen protector. The TrueDepth camera array sits in the notch or Dynamic Island area, above the actual display surface, and reads through tempered glass without issues. Dynamic Island is part of the display — protectors cover it but don't interfere with its function. The Action Button (iPhone 15 Pro and 16 series) and Camera Control button (iPhone 16 series) are physical buttons on the side of the device, completely independent of any screen protector.
What to actually check: the cutouts. Cheap unbranded protectors sometimes have the Dynamic Island cutout in the wrong place or with the wrong dimensions, leading to a visible black border around the Island. Every brand we recommend has verified cutouts for current-model iPhones.
Cases — what works, what doesn't
MagSafe cases (Apple Silicone, Apple Leather, Apple FineWoven, third-party MagSafe options) work fine with any quality screen protector. The magnets sit in the rear, not at the screen, so there's no interaction. The case-edge issue is the one to watch: edge-to-edge or "full coverage" protectors can clash with raised case lips and lift at corners. Quality brands (Spigen, Belkin, ESR) deliberately make protectors slightly narrower than the visible display so case edges clear them. These are typically labelled "case-friendly" or "case-fit."
For heavy-duty cases — OtterBox Defender, Pelican Voyager — check the case manufacturer's compatible screen protector list. OtterBox in particular makes its own Alpha Glass protectors specifically engineered to fit under its Defender series.
When to replace
Replace when the protector cracks (most common — it's done its job), when scratches accumulate enough to interfere with visibility or touch response, or when the oleophobic coating fails. The coating failure is the subtlest sign: fingerprints stop wiping off cleanly and the screen feels grippy rather than glossy. This typically happens at 8-12 months of daily use on a quality protector. A new protector costs less than a Pret lunch — replace.