Tempered Glass vs. Plastic Screen Protector: What is Better?

It would be rare if you haven’t had that moment, standing with bated breath, looking down at your phone on the ground and wondering just how shattered the screen is and how much it’ll cost to replace it. 

Thankfully, you can kiss that horrific feeling goodbye with a screen protector. 

Safeguard your most precious item by giving it the protection it needs, catering to your phone and heart rate in equal measure. But getting the most suitable screen protector to protect your phone is crucial, and you aren't alone if the difference between tempered glass and plastic confuses you.

So, keep yourself informed, and choose the right screen protector for you today. 

Tempered Glass Protectors

Manufacturers produce tempered glass screen protectors by heating and cooling the glass quickly. Due to this extreme heat and cold endurance, the glass becomes strong enough to protect your screen from bumps and bruises. 

Tempered glass protectors often have multiple layers, using technology like anti-shattered film and silicone coatings. Rather than standard glass, these features and manufacturing processes mean that tempered glass is much stronger. 

Pros

• More durable 
• More authentic feel
• Easy application

Cons

• More expensive

Plastic Screen Protectors

Plastic screen protectors are the more traditional, long-standing safeguarding method. While the screen doesn’t go through the same process as tempered glass, causing some setbacks, this is an excellent solution for those wanting immediate protection at a more minor cost. 

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Thinner

Cons

• Less durable and less longevity
• Harder to apply
• Inauthentic feel 

Which One is Better: Tempered Glass or Plastic Screen Protector?

Durability 

One of the most essential features to consider when investing in a protector is asking yourself, “Will this last?” There’s no point buying something to safeguard your screen if it only lasts two seconds before you need another one.

Generally, tempered glass protectors are 0.3-0.5mm thick. In contrast, plastic protectors are approximately 0.1mm thick, meaning the plastic surface is damaged more easily than tempered glass. It'll also take a lot more general wear and tear to puncture through the surface of the glass.

As a result, glass protectors have fantastic longevity, and you won't have to worry about a scratched screen for a long time, which is particularly useful if you’re prone to dropping your phone or keeping it in bags containing keys. 

Plastic is ultimately less durable due to its thinner layering. In not being as robust as its rival, a plastic protector will become scratched or broken before a tempered glass one, meaning you’ll need to purchase new ones regularly. 

Feel & Aesthetic 

When you consider 68% of people sleep with their phones, it's no surprise that the feel and aesthetic of their devices are important factors. Many people enjoy tempered glass because it feels like a phone screen itself, having been made from similar materials. 

The plastic cases aren’t as authentic by nature, which is a deal breaker for some people. Being thinner, plastic protectors can also wear over time and begin to peel, ruining the phone's aesthetic and further increasing the inauthentic feel of the protector. While this isn't the case with every plastic protector, it can be more likely.

While their thinner nature is also a negative, some people prefer plastic screen protectors because they don't protrude from the phone as much as glass screen protectors. For some, this gives the phone a slightly more natural look. 

Application 

The simple application of a tempered case makes it a desirable purchase for many. Some users encounter more problems with screen bubbles in plastic screens than tempered glass ones.

Air bubbles can be a nightmare for those using plastic protectors, and if misapplied, air bubbles can stay underneath the protector for weeks or months. This nuisance can occur with both protectors, but users tend to find this happens more with plastic. 

Cost 

Of course, the pros of tempered glass come at a literal cost. While tempered glass has many pros, they're generally more expensive than plastic protectors. While you might be able to buy more plastic protectors for the cost of one tempered glass protector, the price isn’t so substantial that it should put you off buying one entirely. 

Often, it’s a matter of dollars. However, plastic cases are considerably cheaper than tempered glass protectors, and for many people, that’s the main draw to plastic protectors. While they might not safeguard your phone screen as much as their glass counterpart, they're cheaper and easy to replace. 

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, both screen protectors will safeguard your phone. And if you're looking to protect your screen as cheaply as possible, then a plastic screen protector might seem more attractive. However, a tempered screen protector will likely save your screen for longer while providing a more authentic feel and aesthetic. 

Discover Casely's tempered glass protectors today and give your phone the care and protection it deserves.