Some have suggested that the glass screens of iPhones and iPod touches don’t need protection. Having seen scratched and chipped screens, neither a pleasant sight, we seriously disagree. And apparently, so do millions of users of these devices; sales of packages containing nothing but screen protectors have been tremendous, and the best of them remain options from Japan’s Power Support: the Anti-Glare Film Set ($15) and Crystal Film Set ($15) for iPhone 3G. Both come in packages of two, and each can be washed off and reapplied if you screw up the first time. As always, a credit card can be used as a squeegee to help remove the few air bubbles that may appear underneath the static cling surface.
While there isn’t a ton to say about these two options, we can tell you that we have continued to rely upon and prefer these two types of film over the pack-ins that come with some—not all—of the iPhone cases we’ve tested. With the Crystal Film Set, the difference between Power Support’s $15 package and the freebies has become marginal: Power Support’s film is a little better made, and if properly applied more completely transparent and invisible, but it’s not so different that you’d need to buy it as a replacement.
The Anti-Glare Set is another story. Matte-finished and light-diffusing, Anti-Glare has actually become a favorite of iLounge’s editors due to its ability to effectively remove harsh reflective light as an impediment to seeing the iPhone’s screen outdoors. Power Support’s iPhone 3G version is of course properly cut to the device’s screen, and as shown in our photos here provides virtually complete visibility of whatever’s on the display, only with a slight frosting. On balance, we prefer it to the Crystal Film, but you’ll have to decide for yourself whether near-perfect clarity or light diffusion is better suited to your needs.
Anti-Glare Film Set
All that’s new this year is the inclusion of a white pre-installation sticker sheet that lets you remove dust specks from your iPhone 3G’s screen prior to placing the screen protector on. We tried this during installation, and it worked, though it helps more to have a small clean microfiber cloth to fully eliminate finger smears as well; this is not included.
Since other companies, including DLO and Griffin, are now selling competing packages of screen film with lower quality, greater quantity film protectors for the same price, Power Support needs to keep differentiating its Sets by making the user experience as easy and positive as possible. The white sticker goes part of the way there. On a related note, we’d strongly like to see Power Support come up with a Home button coverage solution, which is presently missing from the Anti-Glare and Crystal Film sets, as well as most of their competitors.
Crystal Film Set
Overall, if your iPhone 3G case didn’t include film, or if you’re just looking for a strong anti-glare solution, Power Support’s film sets should be high on your list of options. While we’d like to see even more protection or frills in these $15 packages—you get a better value for the price in a full-film set such as the FullBodyFilms Protection Set for iPhone 3G, or United SGP’s SGP Shield for iPhone 3G—these are very good options for those needing only front-of-iPhone coverage.
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Our Rating
Company and Price
Company: Power Support
Website: www.PowerSupportUSA.com
Model: Anti-Glare, Crystal
Price: $15
Compatible: iPhone 3G