Believe it or not, iPhones are the biggest investment they have ever made for some people. iPhones are one of the most purchased and loved smartphones worldwide and they sure come at the expense of a hefty price. The reason a lot of people buy Apple smartphones is due to the quality photography and videography, that no other smartphones have been able to achieve quite yet. So a lot of customers, want to keep their iPhone cameras running for as long as possible, because what is there to iPhone if it starts giving out photos in Android quality, right?
Well you might think “There’s no need to put a protector over your iPhone’s camera lenses. The lenses are made from sapphire and are very scratch-resistant and durable. Well, at least the company says so!” but you might not be quite right there!
The size of iPhone lenses have gotten bigger and bigger with the newer versions of smartphone releases. The iPhone 6 had a small camera, a little larger in iPhone 8, with the most recent iPhone 13 having three mega sized lenses. This makes the camera more vulnerable to scratches and potential cracks. This is the prime reason why today, so many of the iPhone users are inclined towards buying a protector for their lens.
What is an iPhone lens protector anyway?
In simple terms, an iPhone lens protector is a thin, sleek, transparent plastic or glass cover that is placed/applied just over the surface of your iPhone’s camera lens. Lens protectors aims at protecting your camera lenses from possible scratches and cracks. These are installed to minimize the risk of your lenses getting cracked or disfunctional in case you drop your smartphone.
Why would you need one is pretty self-explanatory at this point, don’t you think? They key reason is the optimum protection to your lenses since they are the most vulnerable and the most important part of owning an iPhone.
How should I choose the best lens protector for my iPhone?
Although the iPhone’s rear cameras, are duly manufactured of sapphire, or similar, which is graded nine on the Mohs hardness scale, making it quite strong and very difficult to scratch in the first place, the odds can never be measured! One thing you can do, however, is to take in safety measures before bad luck strikes.
There are some points discussed below to help you choose a good camera protector for your lens. Some of the points to be considered before buying one are:
A. Thickness
You have to avoid choosing extremely thin lens protector, in fear it might degrade the picture quality taken in comparison to a bare lens. Extremely thin lens protector might interfere and might stop the passage of light, leading to glare issues and other light distortions, like the formation of rays or 0rbs.
B. Coverage
Some lens protectors just cover your lenses in particular, while some cover your entire camera system. It depends upon the aesthetics too, but we personally recommend you to purchase the one covering the lens only, as this eliminates the issue of flashlights being blocked. The lens protector must also be compatible with the phone cases you carry and must not block they lens in any way.
C. Adhesion:
One of the major issues while installing either a gorilla glass on your screen or a lens protector is the formation of bubbles due to the lack of proper adhesion. This must be completely avoided for a good lens protector. Make sure to install at a certified store or make sure to read reviews online for the product.
D. Hardness:
The hardness in the market can be measured with labels like 3H, 5H, and 9H, with higher numbers indicating more hardness, as the numbers move higher. It is very much recommended to abide by the Mohs scale while looking for hardness, as some companies scam their users by their own scale called the granite scale.
E. Coating:
Similar to the screen ones, some of the lens protector have oleophobic coating on them that repels oil, smudges, and fingerprints. This is a great feature you can opt for to have quality photos.
F. Warranty:
Warranties for lens protectors come in an array of options that range from six-months to a life-time. Well, the more warranty the better, don’t we agree?
G. Style:
As stated earlier too, a lens protector must be matching with the case or your phone model functionally to take perfect pictures. On top of that, complementary color combinations and style definitely add a cherry on top!
Some of the available lens protector in the market today?
#1. Spigen Camera Lens Screen Protector
If you are paranoid about getting your lenses shatter any minute and think you’re clumsy, the Spigen one might be the best for you! It comes in the sets of two in each package, and is said to be built out of a premium tempered glass. Providing a clean, flat look, and is specially great if you have/ like/ plan on getting a clear phone case. To install it, you have to wipe your camera lens on your sleeve, dab it with the dust diggers and slap’em onto the camera!
- Compatible Phone Models: iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone Pro Max
- Screen size: 5.8 inches
- Brand: Spigen
#2. Rhinoshield Temper Glass Lens Protector
Protecting your lens but also changing your smartphone’s lens’ look, sign up with the Rhinoshield Temper Glass Lens Protector. Although, it has a limited color to choose from, the aluminum ring around the protector really adds beauty to the protector. It has the best scratch resistance among the market competitors with resistance of scratch upto 6H on the Mohs Scale, with the 7H scratches barely noticeable.
However, they tend to come off quite easily and some might not like the look it offers. Also, instead of sharp edges, the edges are chamfered so it might not deliver what it has to offer.
- Compatible Phone Models: iPhone 12 and up.
- Screen size: 6.1 inches.
- Brand: RhinoShield.
#3. Shellrus Sapphire Lens Protector
Talking about screen protection hardness, these are probably the best in the market right now with the ability to resist upto 9H of scratch on the Mohs Scale. It just doesn’t let the lens get scratched so we can say, it does the work quite effectively, considering the primary function of the lens protector is to resist scratch.
The adhesive is also quite durable on this lens protector and doesn’t shift or slide or glide from time to time. It stays firm and adheres quite well. On top of that, the screens are also not quite noticeable on top of the lens. Even though they do not provide an aesthetic supplement to the lens even though they have an aluminum rim.
- Compatible Phone Models: iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Colour: Gold
- Brand: Sapphire by Fuyuan.
Top Features:
- Hardness level 9 on Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, extremely scratch-resistant.
- This product contains 3 lens protectors for iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max, precise color match.
- Waterproof .
- Flexibly reusable and can be used time and again.
Conclusion
So, these were the brief introduction to lens protector, which have risen in massive popularity recently, along with the top 3 picks for the best lens protector in the market right now. We have curated the best picks for you after reading tons of amazon reviews, buyer’s guides, and considering the different buyers and budget necessities of lens protector which are a crucial investment for your iPhone. Our aim was to make sure the consumers get the most out of the money they are investing, and we have listed the top ones based on defining factors too like hardness, thickness, adhesiveness, style and durability. Hopefully, this was helpful!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a lens protector affect camera quality?
Well, we cannot say they absolutely do not, because they definitely do a little. The quality intrusion comes from the thickness, hardness and the built/ design of the lens protector so it, is very important to choose one considering all the aspects.
Is iPhone 13 camera lens scratchproof?
Although, iPhones have a good reputation for not just the camera quality but the camera durability too, but that doesn’t mean they will never get scratched. So, installing a good lens protector will always be a great option to keep your lens safe.
Is it okay to put camera protector on my iPhone?
The answer is very dependent on your use of iPhone and how often you use the camera. If you are constantly using your camera, then it is a pretty good idea to install a lens protector for your phone.
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