As you all know, we’ve been on the tempered glass screen protector bandwagon for some time now. We have done our best to bring you all of the best in tempered glass for all of the top devices over the last year, to help you decide if spending this kind of money on screen protection is worth it. One of our long-standing favorites has been the GLASt from Spigen because not only does it provide great protection, but Spigen tends to toss in extra goodies like screen wipes, back protectors, squeegees, button covers, etc. So when we heard about their new GLASt.R, a thinner, lighter, and rounded tempered glass protector, we had no choice but to take a look. 

Like with other tempered glass protectors for mobile devices, the new GLASt.R sports an 8-9H hardness for protection along with an oleophobic coating to help reduce smudges and fingerprints. Where it differs, is in the new rounded edges that should help reduce chipping, but also provide an incredibly smooth feel while using. Spigen is claiming that this new GLASt.R is 28% slimmer and lighter than its predecessor as well.

I can tell you that after using it for the last couple of hours that I’m incredibly impressed by it. Tempered glass screen protectors have been pretty hit or miss in the past, but this one seems to be nothing but a hit. The rounded edges feel incredible. There seems to be almost no gap between the protector and the display, making it feel as if it’s one and the same, while protectors in the past left you with a disconnect. The sensitivity you would see with your device’s actual display is there, plus all of the gestures and Air View technology still works. There is no dotted grid or pattern on the protector either, which is another issue we have seen with similar products in the past.

The only downside I can see so far, comes during installation. If you get anything on the sticky side of the GLASt.R, it’ll essentially ruin it. Attempting to clean the backside after it has been tainted is almost impossible. So be sure you are in a completely dust-free and sterile environment before you get to applying. Should you get it on there cleanly the first time, keep it there.

At $35, it’s not cheap, but that price matches up to others in this arena. Keep in mind that the regular GLASt is $28, so there is a cheaper option. I’d recommend this one, though, as it feels that good.

To see it in action, check out the clip below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Links:  Spigen Shop | Amazon

Quick Look: Spigen GLASt.R Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Galaxy S4 is a post from: Droid Life

The folks at XGEAR released their new tempered glass screen protector for the Nexus 4 last week called the Fantom 4. It’s their newest tempered glass protector in a long line that includes the Note 2, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Nexus, and Nexus 7. All signs point to this version being in high demand, as they have apparently sold through their initial stock in a short few days. They were kind enough to send me a review sample to share with DL, but are not expecting to see replenished stock until closer to the end of the month. Until that happens, let’s talk about this protector. 

The first thing that came to mind when applying this was, “How is it going to work with the cascading edge display of the Nexus 4?” The answer is simple, it doesn’t cascade over the sides. Unless XGEAR can figure out a way to magically curve their tempered glass, it’s just not going to happen. But after applying the Fantom 4, I can’t necessarily find it at fault for this. With the protector on, it feels as soft as the normal Nexus 4 display, you’ll just find a bit of an edge should your finger start from off the display and then slide across it. Definitely not a deal breaker for me, but something to keep in mind. For the most part, I’d say this protector fits better than some of the others I’ve had in the past.

There are cutouts for the front camera, front speaker, top sensors, and notification light. As with any of XGEAR’s protectors, the Fantom 4 is just 0.4mm thick at an 8H hardness, so it adds little thickness. They apply a special coating to help keep off oils and fingerprints and use real glass to ensure an “OEM experience.”

If there is one issue it would have to do with a tiny oily or wet-looking spot in the middle of the device that we have seen in the past with tempered glass screen protectors. It’s not pronounced on the Nexus 4 like I have seen it before, but it’s there. In order to see it, I have to get up close and personal with the device at a 130-degree angle or so. So at normal viewing angles, you may not even notice it.

Overall, it’s another solid option (maybe even the only option) for those who want glass protection on the display of their Nexus 4. It has its minor flaws, but almost every tempered glass protector I’ve seen over the last few years does.

The Fantom 4 retails for $34.99.

Gallery

Video

Click here to view the embedded video.

Order today from the XGEAR site.

Quick Look: Fantom 4 Tempered Glass Screen Protector for the Nexus 4 is a post from: Droid Life

We’ve covered a lot of tempered glass screen protectors over the last year. With displays growing in size by the month, protection has become more important than ever. Since tempered glass is the most popular solution at the moment because it offers the greatest level of strength, it only makes sense that we continue our coverage with the newest protector for one of the biggest displays in the business. Here is a quick look at the Voyager 2 screen protector from XGEAR for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. 

Fit and Look

Smartphone manufacturers have gone the opposite direction of recessed displays as of late. Instead of hiding displays below the phone rim, they are popping them up, to give users a much softer and less rigid experience when swiping a finger from edge to edge. The Galaxy Note 2 is no different, so when you apply the Voyager 2, you are going to have a slight lip. XGEAR has done their best to make the edge semi-smooth, however, you will most certainly notice a difference. By no means is this a deal breaker if you are looking for this kind of protection.

Aside from the lip, the screen protector itself fits nicely over the top of the 5.5″ display of the Note 2. All sensors, cameras, and buttons are left exposed, so no functionality is lost (and yes, I tested sleep-wake during a call). XGEAR also supplies you with a home button sticker since the home button becomes slightly recessed once the screen protector is applied.

The only flaw, which was necessary, is the inclusion of the dotted grid that I complained about with these protectors a while back. The XGEAR team told me that these dots were needed in order to avoid those oily, watery-looking spots that can at times appear underneath screen protectors. I’d assume it has to do with the size of the display we’re dealing with here. As you’ll see in the photos below, the dots are not as noticeable as they once were.

Sensitivity

In the short amount of time that I’ve played with a Note 2 protected by a Voyager 2, I haven’t had any issues with sensitivity. Screen swipes happen as fast as they would without the protector.

The S Pen also works well. I was able to use gestures, take screenshots, edit photos, draw all over the place, and navigate as usual while using the S Pen. Even with the Voyager 2 in place, all functionality seems to still be there.

Specs

• Surface hardness of 8H (with the hardest being 10H) keeps scratches non-existent
• Thickness of .4mm allows you to maintain a slim and sleek profile
• Special coating that resists oily residue from staying on the screen
• Beveled edge keeps you safe from cracked & chipped edges
• Keeps the smooth feel of a glass screen unlike PET films

Price

The Voyager runs $34.95 and comes in both black or white. In the box you also get a cleaning cloth and two aluminum home buttons.

Buy.

Gallery

Quick Look: Galaxy Note 2 Tempered Glass Screen Protector by XGEAR is a post from: Droid Life

We’ve talked a lot about tempered glass screen protectors over the last year. They are certainly a popular item in the accessory world because of the level of protection that they can provide those big beautiful displays of ours. So it only makes sense that companies would continue to invest in the technology, especially the big dogs. The next to enter the business is long time accessory company, Seidio. 

Their new VITREO tempered glass protector comes in both white and black (yes, black not blue) and carries the same 9H hardness that we have some from others like XGEAR. It also has tapered (rounded) edges, a strong silicon adhesive that won’t bubble or lift, and adds only .55mm of thickness to the device.

Here are the highlights of the VITREO:

• Specially process tempered glass stamped with 9H hardness rating to safeguard devices from heavy duty scratches and abrasions
• Tapered (rounded) edges provide a sleek, enhanced profile on the device while reinforcing critical points of impact that bolsters durability
• Strong silicon adhesive for easy installation without bubbling or lifting
• Adds only .55mm to the device making it lightweight and portable
• Oleophobic coating prevents fingerprints and smudges

We’re a little confused as to why they went with black over blue to match the color of the phone, but it is what it is.

The VITREO runs $39.95.

Via:  Seidio [Amazon]

Seidio Enters the Tempered Glass Protector Arena, Releases VITREO for Galaxy S3 is a post from: Droid Life

The Galaxy Nexus on Verizon is still to this day one of the most popular phones among Droid Life readers. It was the first Nexus (maybe the last too) to launch on Big Red, providing this passionate community the only fully open phone on their network of choice in quite some time. But now that the phone has been around for almost a year, it seems to take a backseat at times to all of the new phones that hit the market. So to show the G-Nex that we still love it, we wanted to hand out a couple of tempered glass screen protectors for it. 

The Fantom, made by XGEAR, is practically scratch resistant, keeps off fingerprints, and is thin enough to not add extra bulk to your device. At 8H hardness, you won’t find this kind of protection from any other screen protector. Then normally retail for $29.99.

Contest

Update:  Our three winners have been picked! David, ImmaDroid, and Sean, be sure to check your email!

Prize:  3 (three) Fantom tempered glass screen protectors for the Galaxy Nexus.

How to enter:

1.  In the comments, tell us why you still love your Galaxy Nexus.

Winners:

Today, at 3PM Pacific, we’ll randomly choose three winners from the comments.

*Winners need to have U.S. addresses.

Quick Contest: Win 1 of 3 Galaxy Nexus Fantom Tempered Glass Screen Protectors (Updated: Winners Picked!) is a post from: Droid Life

Tempered glass screen protectors are all the rage these days. With displays becoming bigger and more beautiful, the last thing you want to see is a big scratch across one. The folks at XGEAR understand this and are leading the charge for tempered glass, having produced protectors for both the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Nexus. Their newest product brings that same level of 8H hardness, oil-resistant coating, beveled edges, and .4mm thickness to the beloved Nexus 7. 

This new glass protector is called Phantasm and retails for $69.99. If you are a DL reader, you can save $10 off of that price by using the coupon code “DLNEX7″ at checkout for the next 2 days. That code expires on December 1. Update:  XGEAR was kind enough to extend this coupon code to December 9.

I’ve only just applied the Phantasm, but so far, have not noticed a change in screen sensitivity on my Nexus 7. The display still looks beautiful, I can barely notice that it has even been applied thanks to the slightly recessed screen, and the viewing angles seem to be just as good. While I’ll refrain from dropping the device, just to test the screen, there are countless videos on YouTube that show off the extra protection provided by tempered glass.

Buy. (Use coupon code:  DLNEX7)

Gallery

Quick Look: XGEAR Tempered Glass Protector “Phantasm” for Nexus 7 is a post from: Droid Life

And in the last contest of our rapid fire hour, we have two Galaxy S3 tempered glass screen protectors to give away from the folks at XGEAR. This specific protector is called the Spectre, and will give your big beautiful GS3 screen more protection that you can probably imagine. We took a look at these glass protectors a few weeks back and have been told that improvements have been made. They can be finicky when applying, but once you get it right, it’ll feel just like your normal screen. Ready to win one? 

Contest

Update: We have our two winners. Thanks for entering!

Prizes:  2 (two) Spectre tempered glass screen protectors for the Galaxy S3

How to enter:

1.  Like this post on Facebook.
2.  +1 this post on Google+.
3.  In the comments, tell us what your all-time favorite comedy film is.

Winners:

Today at 3:30PM PT, we will randomly choose two winners from the comments.

Contest: Two Spectre Galaxy S3 Tempered Glass Screen Protectors From XGEAR Up for Grabs! [RAW] (Update: Winners Picked) is a post from: Droid Life

Today, we’re taking a second look at XGEAR’s tempered glass screen protector for the Galaxy Nexus, called the Fantom. We first took a look at these back in July when XGEAR was getting close to being on final samples and definitely noticed a couple of issues which they have told us have since been addressed. So as part of Reader Appreciation Week, we wanted to talk about our new impressions and then hand a couple of these $30 tempered glass protectors out to the best Android community on the planet. 

 Second Impressions

For those new to tempered glass, you need to think of this as the ultimate form of protection for a screen. It’s glass, rather than a flimsy film, so it’s harder, more scratch and crack resistant, and feels nice to the touch. In fact, I actually like tempered glass more for the touch sensitivity than anything else. Regular PET screen protectors feel awful to the touch, but tempered glass simply feels just like if you were touching your screen.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about this new version. First of all, the phone wakes up just fine while on a call. The proximity sensor is no longer blocked allowing the phone to function properly. Touch sensitivity is also very good and the protector actually appears to be slightly thinner than it did in the past, but I doubt that to be the case. It does fit very well on top of the device though, and would almost be unnoticeable if it weren’t for the cutouts for the notification light, front camera, and sensors. I’m also no longer noticing a rainbow effect in the middle of the protector while it’s on the device.

I am, however, still noticing the grid that was showing up on the previous release. It’s not a deal breaker, but when the beauty of the Galaxy Nexus screen is one of the selling points, this grid does bring it down a notch. The XGEAR team explained to me that the grid has to do with a special UV coating which helps preserve the protector.

Overall, I’m impressed by the changes that have been made and would definitely recommend that you consider the Fantom tempered glass protector if you are looking for extra protection. At $30, it’s the only option available.

Buy.

Contest

Update:  Our two winners (1 and 2) have been emailed! Be sure to check your inboxes. Stay tuned for the next contest!

Again, since it’s Reader Appreciation Week (RAW), let’s give two of these away and save a couple of you $30.

Prize:  Two (2) Fantom tempered glass protectors from XGEAR for the Galaxy Nexus

How to enter:

1.  In the comments, tell us what it will take to get you to part with your Galaxy Nexus.
2.  If you haven’t already, be sure to follow us on Google+.
3.  Also, feel free to share this post with your G-Nex friends on Google+.

Winner:

Tomorrow at 8:00AM PT, we will randomly choose two winners from the comments.

Second Look: XGEAR Fantom Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Galaxy Nexus [Contest Too] [RAW] is a post from: Droid Life

Here we go with another tempered glass screen protector solution for your Samsung Galaxy S3, although this time it’s made by the folks over at Spigen SGP. As many of you know after checking out my quick first looks at the XGEAR tempered glass protectors for the GS3 and Galaxy Nexus, tempered glass is the ultimate form of smartphone display protection.  

Spigen’s version is called GLAS Premium and is 8-9H in surface hardness, which means it is three times stronger than regular PET film. It also should resist scratches from just about anything, including knives and keys. It has an oleophobic coating to resist against smudges and fingerprints. The touch screen should remain ultra sensitive, and the edges have been rounded ever-so-slightly to make it much easier on the hand.

Spigen trimmed it around the edges, so that almost all cases will be able to fit with this screen protector on your device, took into account the proximity sensor issues that many experienced with XGEAR’s original glass protectors, and even tossed in different colored Home button inserts to help with pressing after the protector has been applied.

Initial Impressions

I appreciate the fact that Spigen cut the protector short around the edges so that you can still apply most cases for extra protection. I’m also glad that they worked around the proximity sensor issue that was happening during phone calls on the original XGEAR version. I’m enjoying the slightly rounded edges so that it doesn’t feel too sharp in hand and also the home button inserts that make pressing “Home” much easier.

I’ve looked at a couple of reviews who mention that touch sensitivity is not optimal, however, I haven’t run into any issues. In fact, I pressed as lightly as I could throughout an entire email, browsing session, and normal phone use and it reacted to everything I threw at it. Over time, if the adhesive were to give way, I could see there being an issue, but so far, it works perfectly.

Lastly, you won’t find the grid of dots on this Spigen version like I did on the original XGEAR versions.

At $34.99 you may consider this to be too expensive, but there aren’t many other options. If you want a tempered glass screen protector on your device, you can either go with Spigen’s or XGEAR’s ($29.99). From what I have read, XGEAR has made changes to fix some of the issues that plagued theirs initially, however, Spigen appears to have added some extra tweaks to make this slightly more appealing (lack of grid, room for more cases, and button inserts).

Update:  After a full day’s use, I have had absolutely no touch issues with this protector from Spigen. In fact, it’s as good as it was the minute I applied it to the device. We’ll see how it holds up over the matter of a week or so, but so far, I’m enjoying the protection.

At this time, we are only seeing a white version available, so blue GS3 owners are out of luck.

Buy. ($34.99) [More info]

Gallery

Video

Click here to view the embedded video.

_______________________________________

Contest

Update: We have our winner! Their name is nyr2k2 and their story is as follows:

My car had blown a tire on the interstate on my way home from work one day. I got out to survey the damage, and decided that since my rim was now bent I should call AAA and get a tow. Reaching into my pocket, my phone slipped out of my hand, flew toward the other side of the car, and came to rest teetering precariously on a sewage drain cover. The phone was literally wobbling side to side, where the vibration from a passing car could easily have pushed it past the tipping point. Fortunately I grabbed the phone in time, but damn, it was harrowing.

Thanks for entering everyone!

Prize:  1 (one) Spigen GLAS tempered glass screen protector for the Galaxy S3.

How to enter:

1.  In the comments, tell us about the scariest time that you dropped your phone.
2.  Feel free to follow us on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.

Winner:

Tomorrow at 12:00 PM PT, we will choose a winner randomly from the comments. Good luck!

Quick Look: Spigen GLAS Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S3 [Contest Too] (Update: Winner Picked) is a post from: Droid Life

Earlier today, we took a look at the XGEAR Spectre tempered glass screen protector for the Galaxy S3 and came away impressed. Up now is a similar tempered glass protector, only it has been made specifically for the Galaxy Nexus and is known as the Fantom. How will it handle that now-famous curved screen? Let’s find out. 

After reading comments from the GS3′s screen protector post, I now know that many of you would have liked to see me apply this to the screen and also to see how I avoided bubbles. While I screwed up and had already applied it, I will say that I had no issues with bubbles on either device.The glass lays down easier than any screen protector I have ever used. I would assume that the glass is thick enough that there isn’t a chance for bubbles to even form. Again, no bubble issues on either device.

As far as the good stuff goes with the Fantom protector, I can say that it matches everything I loved about the version for the Galaxy S3. It doesn’t slow down responsiveness, the viewing angles are still great, it appears to be incredibly tough, and the few fingerprints that I managed to put on it, wiped away with ease. This screen protector feels buttery smooth to the touch, something I can’t say for many others. It also has less of a lip than that of the Galaxy S3, and for the most part, isn’t really noticeable to the touch.

There are a couple of negatives, though. The cutout for the notification light is a bit of an eye-sore, so you won’t have as clean of a look on the bottom of your device as you have grown accustomed to. We also do not know if this screen protector will be able to hold up over time on this curved display. Most glass doesn’t like to be bent, but the folks at XGEAR seem to think there won’t be a problem. Since I’ve only had this for a day, I cannot tell how this will do over time. The last thing that may bother some, is the dotted grid that can be seen at certain angles or light (pictured far right below). It’s the same issue that was on the GS3 screen protector. Again, it could be an issue with the samples that were sent to me and may not be present in the final retail product.

Update:  XGEAR reached out to me to explain the grid situation. From what I understand, the grid is there because of a special UV coating that is put on the screen protector. If it wasn’t there, the protector would become discolored over time thanks to UV radiation. This coating, which includes that grid, prevents that.

Overall, I’m more impressed with this tempered glass protector than I was with the version for the Galaxy S3. Both are great, but this one sits ever-so-slightly closer to the edge, giving it a much cleaner look. For $30, this might be the best protection you can buy for the screen of your beloved Galaxy Nexus. And as far as I can tell, XGEAR is the only company willing to make a tempered glass screen protector for this device, so this may be your only option.

Video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Gallery:

Pre-order. Try “NEXUSFTW” to save $5.

First Look: Tempered Glass Screen Protector for the Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

The folks over at XGEAR sent us samples of their new Spectre and Fantom tempered glass screen protectors for both the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Nexus to test. Since tempered glass is all the rage in the screen protecting game these days, we know that many of you have been dying to get your hands on them. While XGEAR is signing off on final samples, with hopes of shipping to customers during the first week or so of August, they wanted us to show you all what the product is all about ahead of time. 

First up is the Galaxy S3 version since it’s the new kid on the block, but don’t go anywhere, as we’ll take a look at the Galaxy Nexus version later this afternoon. The Spectre tempered glass protector for the GS3 is .4mm thick, has a surface hardness of 8H (10H being the hardest), and a “special” coating to resist oily residue, or better known to most of us as fingerprints.

In our time testing it, I can say that so far, I’m impressed. I can’t stand most screen protectors. To me, touching a screen protector is like someone scratching a chalkboard – it’s painful. This tempered glass protector, on the other hand, feels just like your normal screen when swiping across it. As you’ll see in the video, the viewing angles are still very good, it’s not much of a fingerprint magnet, the responsiveness of the device remains, and it can resist some pretty heavy scratching done by my keys. I also took it out into the sunlight and found that it did not change the viewing experience much. As with any smartphone, viewing in direct sunlight isn’t fun, but this didn’t seem to make it worse by any means.

With that said, there are a couple of things that you would have to get used to when using a tempered glass screen protector like this. It does add some thickness to your device. It also buries the physical home button on the Galaxy S3 a bit, making it a little more difficult to get home in a pinch. The positive side of that would be that it offers some protection to your home button. The other thing that is really only noticeable in bright lights, is this dotted grid. I’m not sure what it’s from, but depending on the angle and color of your screen, it can be visible and is slightly obnoxious.

Update:  XGEAR reached out to me to explain the grid situation. From what I understand, the grid is there because of a special UV coating that is put on the screen protector. If it wasn’t there, the protector would become discolored over time thanks to UV radiation. This coating, which includes that grid, prevents that.

For the most part, this is the first screen protector that I haven’t wanted to rip off of my phone in seconds. I like the feel of the glass and also the added protection that it should provide. I personally, can get over the weird grid that is showing on these samples (keep in mind that they may not be present on final products), along with the extra thickness. The home button situation will take some getting used to, but it’s definitely not something that would deter me from recommending these.

To my knowledge, this is the only accessory team in the game that has a tempered glass screen protector for the Galaxy S3.

Update 2:  The Galaxy Nexus screen protector review has been posted.

Video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Gallery:

Pre-order. Use “SEXYS3″ to save $5.

First Look: Tempered Glass Screen Protector for the Galaxy S3 is a post from: Droid Life

Looking for that extra bit of protection on your Galaxy Nexus screen? Would a tempered glass screen protector interest you? We have seen similar products from companies like Spigen SGP sell well for the iPhone and Galaxy Note, but up until this point, the G-Nex had been left out. Thanks to a member over a RootzWiki who seems to have convinced the company he works for to create a similar product, tempered glass is finally coming.

For those not familiar with tempered glass, think of it as the ultimate screen protector. Once applied, it shouldn’t reduce screen sensitivity at all, but it will help your phone survive a major fall. Spigen’s, for example, is a specially processed reinforced glass that protects against scratches and also increases shock absorbency. We are assuming that this product will be similar to that. Think of Tempered glass as putting all other screen protectors to shame.

His company has opened up a pre-order for the glass protector at $29.99, but if you use the coupon code “NEXUSFTW” at checkout, you can save yourself $5. They expect orders to be ready by late June or mid-July.

Buy.

Via:  RootzWiki

Cheers @strikeir13!

Tempered Glass Screen Protectors for the Galaxy Nexus Up for Pre-order is a post from: Droid Life