Last year I reviewed Zagg’s Invisible Shield on my iPod Touch, and now I’m writing a new, updated review of my experience with the Invisible Shield on my MyTouch 4G. I feel like my install on the myTouch was much quicker and smoother, perhaps because I already had prior experience installing one of these, or maybe because there aren’t as many curved areas to be covered.
What’s New
- The solution came in a spray bottle and not in a small plastic tub. I liked this spray bottle.
- The squeegee was a bit different, and it felt like it was easier to guide water out from underneath the Invisible Shield without moving the actual shield.
The Install
When I first took the plastic protectors out of their packaging I was taken aback; I thought that a mistake had been made in the order. One of the cutouts is one whole piece, and the other has some smaller cutouts on it. It took me a while to realize that the large piece was meant to cover the front, while the separate cutouts were for the back.
The install took under fifteen minutes from start to finish. The procedure is straightforward but I’ll clarify it below
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap to get rid of any oils on your fingtips.
- Clean the phone screen of any dust, smudges, etc.
- Spray your fingertips with the installation solution to avoid getting fingerprints anywhere.
- Peel off the part that you’re installing and spray the back with the installation solution. Drench it so it’s easy to move around when you place it on the device.
- Place the plastic film on the device and move it around to finely adjust it.
- Use the squeegee to push air bubbles and installation solution out from under the protective shield. Be careful not to move the shield around while you’re pushing the solution out.
- Use a lint-free cloth to collect excess installation solution that you push out.
- Allow 24 hours for the protective coating to fully dry into place and for fine air bubbles to disappear.
The Invisible Shield isn’t difficult to install on any part of the device. The only slightly challenging part is installing on the lower back of the device where the device is slightly curved, but the Invisible Shield lays right on it. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the install. It is fairly easy alight the firm precisely where you want it and not get fingerprints or dust trapped under it.
Quality
The quality of the plastic film is excellent, as expected. You get a high level of “invisible” protection that only a few other products attempt to match. Zagg’s Nano-Memory™ technology is responsible for the light texture on the surface of the protective film, which provides durability and increased grip. I haven’t had any problems with raised edges or dust collecting around the corners, and the tiny air bubbles have disappeared less than a week after my install. I do notice a slight display issue (on a white screen it seems like there are faint colored lines – smaller than pixels) but I’ve seen that with every screen protector, and it’s easy to get used to. The film doesn’t give the display a dim or faded look. The quality of the product is outstanding.
Gallery
The Invisible Shield truly is invisible. This are some high-resolution photos of the film on the myTouch 4G.
Conclusion
I would highly recommend Zagg’s Invisible Shield to everyone with an expensive device that they wish to protect. I sold my old iPod that was protected with Zagg’s full body shield, and the fact that it had no scratches on the mirror back raised it’s resale value by more than 40% over similar sales on eBay. The Invisible Shield will give you peace of mind and protection that outlasts the cheaper screen protectors.
The concept of a film to protect the entire body of a device is brilliant. Hard cases and rubber sleeves add extra thickness to devices and may make them more difficult to use. They also provide inferior protection against light scuffs and scratches. Today’s devices are beautiful, and protection like this allows us to show off our device’s beauty without sacrificing protection.
It’s “invisible” and it provides amazing protection – what more could you ask for?
Reviewed by w3techie.
Rating: 4
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Very difficult to install on an ipad2 , I am very disappointed because I loosed my money, i will never buy a product from this company again.
I’ve just acquired a Zagg Invisible Shield for my HTC Sensation XE.
And I’m delighted with it.
However, I wouldn’t attempt a DIY Install, I got Carphone Warehouse to fit mine and they did a perfect job on it.
So I can understand where you’re coming from as its fitting struck me as being very awkward and mistake-prone unless you’re factory trained.
Overcome that though and it is perfect-tough, very clear and only very slightly tacky to the touch.
Maybe worth giving it anther try?
Extremely unsatisfied with this screen protector for blackberry 9900. The screen has the ZAGG logo on it!!!! That’s the only thing I see on my screen now. I don’t care how good the actual screen protection is. I am utterly unimpressed by this logo. I feel like I’ve paid $20 to advertise ZAGG to myself. Extremely unsatisfied.
I feel like you haven’t installed it 100% correctly, because the screens don’t have that logo on them. I’ve never seen their logo on any part of the shield.
Are you sure you’ve taken off all the materials that protect the actual shield?
I’ve installled such shields before and have never seen this either. The logo is small and located on the bottom right. Just like a TV station logo when watching that channel.
The protector was on a paper glossy card and then wrapped in another cover. I removed the cover, then peeled the screen from the card. Nothing else to remove. I’m sliding my finger over the logo now and I feel no bump, nothing to remove (on the screen or under it).
Not impressed, not happy at all.
I applied it to a Samsung Galaxy S2 with no major difficulties. The material is soft and thus your finger skips when swiping across the screen. This was only a minor annoyance and I became accustomed to it after 24hrs. The fit is pretty good and I am now able to relax with the handling of my phone.
However, after 24hrs, six dark patches appeared in the center of the screen in the shape of a square. I’m not sure if the plastic is reacting to the temperature of the screen or if this is where an abrasive robotic suction head was applied to the material in the factory and left a mark. I’m thinking the later because I notice scratches in the material that are amplified by the screen pixel matrix. I will probably be pulling this of my device and tossing it (-$20). Disappointed in the final quality.
Horrible product! I cannot comment on the quality of the film itself – it might be excellent, but I didn’t even get to check it. In order to properly attach the film to the iPad2 or the iphone, one has to be in the almost laboratory-like germ-free environment, and have the patience of a buddhist monk. Otherwise, it is real easy to have some dust, or a cat’s hair, or any other imperfection on the surface, and then it is practically impossible to get it off. Also, if you follow the instructions and moisturize the film prior to installing it (and by the way, do not even think about NOT moisturizing it!) – do NOT overmoisturize it either! And if you do, then don’t try to use the cloth to remove the extra moisture. If you do, then some threads will get stuck to the film, with no chance for you to ever get them out. Overall, the company needs to think long and hard to change the installation process – otherwise all the (possibly) good properties of the film will be lost!
You’re right….you can’t touch the film on anything (especially the cloth). You have to keep it facedown during the entire installation or dust can land on it. I did the install in a humid bathroom to weigh down the dust so it’s not a problem.
I actually love the wet install over those dry installs because you can wash off any dust, and once you lay on the shield you can move it around to get it perfect before pushing out the application solution. If it’s done right it’s a perfect install that can last for years! (Mine was great for two years on my iPod before I sold it – and because it was so well protected and there were absolutely NO scratches on the back or the front I got about $50 above the average price.)
I’d actually always recommend overmoisturizing. Get everything wet, including the shield and your fingers. Then place it on the device and use the squeege to push the application solution to the sides, where you’ll place the little cloth and it’l absorb all that excess application solution. Then when it’s perfect let it sit for 24 hours to let it fully dry.
very disappointed with this installation process while installing and my new ipad – it’s improssible not to get a speck of something on this while applying this large sticky sheet!!! I have two tiny specks of dust and several bubbles that have not gone away after 24 hours. I understand there is a 45 day money back guarantee and I plan to opt out!
I understand your situation (I’ve been in it myself with the cheap screen protectors that always attract dust because there’s no wet install), but what do you plan to do if you get rid of the Zagg? Are you just going to leave your iPad unprotected? Are you going to try another brand of these wet install shields?
I mean, it’s not Zagg’s fault that dust gets on the film (and for example I installed it in a humid bathroom to weigh down the dust and I didn’t get any dust on mine) and no matter which brand you try there’s always a chance of dust. There’s no dust-proof screen protector.
I am having difficulty with installation. I have dust and small hairs that have gotten on the sticky side. Is there a way to clean it off and try reinstallation? Help, if I can get it on without damaging it I think I will like it. Any suggestions?
It may already be too late if it’s dry, but the wet install will help you avoid dust and be able to take hairs off. Normally, any attempt to get dust off will be like touching the bottom side of tape: you’ll either get more dust on there or leave fingerprints. With the wet install, you don’t leave fingerprints, so you can simply pull off any hairs (and dust shouldn’t stick to it at all).
I got Zagg invisible shield on my iPhone 4s and was happy about it, perfect fit actually. I bought mine in a shop and they were the ones who did the whole thing, front, sides and back. I’m surprised though to hear that this is a DIY product, oh well, its better this way, by the looks of it if your not trained with the film attachments you will get it all wrong. Good review and thanks for the good read anyways.
I have purchased for the iPhone 3GS before just don’t last long and a waste of money. I later got sucked in and purchased one for iPhone 4s and it was even worse. It tore on the edge. Once put in pocket and it gets a little fluff the plastic is ruined and starts peeling. Don’t buy these. Also the warranty for Australia costs 94$ fit shipping and $24 for the product again. I installed these both correctly and with no bubbles exactly as instructions say. The advertising is full of shit and I am embarrassed to say that I was dumb enough to fall for this product.
I now have three products protected an apple macbook pro 15 inch unibody, kindle fire and samsung galaxy nexus. The laptop was the only full body install that i did myself the kindle and nexus were both only screen protectors. I have had issues with the one on my macbook pro it was next to impossible to DIY but the others were a breeze. Another problem I’m having with the apple macbook is that I have it peeling away and collecting dust under the edges. I did buy the product in 2008 and treat my laptop like a college student. I will say I got on their website and mailed me a replacement for 4.00 dollars for shipping and it arrived in 3 days. Did not make it easier to install but will stand by their product. Also they will replace your product if you had your device replaced so even if the invisible shield does not fail they will still replace it. Over all great product in my mind. Had an otter box for my droids previously and never again. For the size and durability of it, I would easily pay around $80 which makes the 25-50 a bargain. Would and have recommended this product to both family and friends and is a must have product for those of us that are techy but also clumsy.
I didn’t see BullandBarons post before i posted all my prices are based in the US as is my experience. So, take it with a grain of salt if buying internationally i guess.
Just bought a shield for our thrive. Got some fingerprints on sticky side. Any ideas to get them off before I put it on?
Wipe them off using the installation solution
That’s what I love about it – it prevents fingerprints or dust from being on your final install.
I just received mine for the iPad 2. For me, it wasnt extremely difficult to install, just time consuming, although I had a disappointing setback. I also ordered one of zagg’s leather sticky covers for the back. I installed the leather before the shield and when I squeegeed the moisture and bubbles out, the moisture ran onto the leather and it started to peel back. So just FYI if you get the back cover also, install it last. I know it seems like common sense but i feel like I should have been warned in the instructions. Otherwise, the screen is of good quality, should last a while.
Worthless warranty. Definitely agree with others who say the warranty is crap. I live in the states and to replace a $21 item they charge $4 to send me a tiny piece of plastic, at least the ‘shield’ is FREE. That is ridiculous, don’t buy their crap anymore. I can send anyone in the US an envelope weighing less than a few ounces for under a $1. I only found out how crappy their warranty was because their product is crap too. Mine has 2 scratches in about 4 months use. And since this is my first smart phone I am extremely careful with it at all times. Bottom line, if they stood behind their product I might be willing to continue using the brand but by charging $4 I can tell they are using that to make money too. I can get any cheap ones for much less and replace them a dozen times before it I reach the original price of the “INVISIBLE SHIELD”.
Install outdoors. No dust. Believe me when I say that this protector is a bloody dust magnet. If you must do it indoors then peel the protector sticky side down, and keep it down.
A waste of money in my book. I could never get it on correctly and quickly ended up destroying it. They won’t get any more of my business. The thing could be made of titanium but it doesn’t do any good if it can’t be installed correctly. Disappointed!
I just got the iPhone 4S and wanted to ensure it would remain in great condition so along with a case I bought the Zagg cover-friendly HD invisibleSHIELD. Installation seemed simple enough, and it was, however I have hair and a little dust stuck under the screen protector. I pulled it off, ran a hot shower in the bathroom to minimize dust (as I read in an earlier comment), and ran the shield under some cool water to try to get the little hairs and fiber off of it. To no avail. I spent probably a half hour trying to get the little hairs off the sticky side.
I’ve since reinstalled the protector since I don’t want to leave my phone unprotected, but the little hairs and fibers are REALLY distracting. Has anyone else had this problem and know how to fix it? I’m about to just give up and demand a replacement, or just a refund in general.
Ive had 3 zagg shields on my iPhone and everyone of them have peeled off under my home screen button, and all have been put on by professionals. Also they have all become discolored.
This is one horrible product I ever bought in my life. I bought is several months before for my iPhone 4, found no problems in installing. But after installing it started accumulating dust and become pale yellow in color making screen look dull. The material itself is too thick and sometime the touch screen doesn’t work, so is the proximity sensor!!! Grr… It does not provide a smooth touch experience and very very very sticky ewww…
I bought “Screen Ward” protector for < $2, viola no problems with proximity sensor, the touch screen experience is ultra smooth and it is truly invisible no dirty yellow coloration!
Conclusion: Don't even go near this product (at least for iPhone 4 or 4S)