What is Tempered Glass and Why You Need it

  Tempered Glass

By: Galen Patterson

First impressions of tempered glass might be something along the lines of: “Why put another layer of glass on a layer of glass?” At least that was my initial thought. However, the reviews at the touch of Google’s all-knowing database gave me confidence that this product is worth it. So I rolled the dice and soon after received my tempered glass screen protector. A month later, here I am with a screen looking exactly how it did when it came out of the box.

Donna Lam, a tempered glass user says “I even forgot it was on my phone.”

This, coming from another user, is completely understandable. I never once forgot it was on my phone, but I couldn't tell it was. The perfect cutouts on the receiver and home button are the only telltale signs, but even that is aesthetically pleasing.

Another outstanding feature is the protection it offers. For those of us who absent mindedly drop our keys in the same pocket as the phone, historically, had a problem. After  my experiment, I noticed that I couldn't even tell it was in peril at all.

“We actually did a scratch test and it was very shiny afterwards. They’re very durable,” said Xiao Li, from Valor Communications.

I believe it, simply because I witnessed its durability with my own eyes.

The real strength here is what the screen protector does when dropped.

It’s almost an act of self sacrifice, the loyal bodyguard of the precious image that allows the device to be used. When dropped from a considerable height, it shatters.

Here’s the thing; it’s something like a ‘controlled shatter.’ The tempered glass will crack every-which-way you can imagine, but it doesn't splinter and cut you, it sticks together. The actual screen underneath? Flawless. This, Li ensures me, is by design and not divine intervention.

“It’s shatterproof, so it won’t break into pieces, it’ll crack but stick together, and the screen is fine,” said Li.

Mrs. Lam seems to agree. “When I dropped it, I didn’t even panic, knowing I had protection,” she said.

So here’s the situation: I’ve got a product that’s way easier to install than those pesky films that bubble, which I can barely notice, doesn’t scratch easily and protects the original integrity of the device from all but the most brutal attacks.

What’s the catch? Why, waiting for the mail to arrive of course.