Review: Power Support Crystal Film Set for iPhone

iphone_crystalfilm.jpg If PC World’s tests are any indication, the iPhone’s glass screen needs much less protection than the plastic screens on iPods. And then there’s the fact that a poorly-made screen protector could disrupt the iPhone’s touchscreen interface. Still, if you’re paranoid—and I admit to being so myself—there are quite a few clear-film screen covers out there for the iPhone; many cases even include such a film.

Given that I’ve been a fan of Power Support’s Crystal Film Set for full-size iPods, I picked up the company’s $16 ($15 at Apple Retail Stores) Crystal Film Set for iPhone when I bought my own iPhone back on i-Day. Whereas “Set” means “front and back pieces” for the iPod versions, here it means that you get a set of two identical iPhone screen films, so you can split the set with your favorite iPhone buddy.

As with the iPod versions, what sets the iPhone Crystal Film apart is that it’s thicker and more rigid than most other clear-film protectors. Although this should make the Film more rugged, the most obvious benefit is that it’s easier to apply than thinner films; you just align it properly at one end and then slowly lower it onto the iPhone’s screen, pushing out any bubbles with a credit card or other rigid, flat edge.

On the other hand, no film is immune to dust, lint, hair, and other things floating around in the air; before applying the Crystal Film, use a lint-free cloth to thoroughly clean your iPhone’s screen, and remove the Film’s backing just before application, avoiding touching the “sticky” side of the film with your fingers. If you don’t take such precautions, you’ll wind up with very noticeable blemishes. (Power Support claims that the Crystal Film can be cleaned and reapplied; it uses “static cling” rather than adhesive. However, I found it difficult to dry the Film after washing, even with a lint-free cloth, without getting dust and smudges on the “sticky” side.)

If applied correctly and cleanly, the Crystal Film provides an undetectable, protective surface that doesn’t affect the iPhone’s touchscreen functionality; I’m quite happy with mine. However, it took me several tries to get it right, and I eventually had to move on to the second Film in the package because the first got too many fingerprints and pieces of dust behind it.

Category: Accessories, Reviews

Comments (13)

When you say "undetectable", I'm guessing you mean visually,how does it feel compared to the glass surface? Obviously w/ an iPhone you're doing a lot of rubbing your fingers around on the screen so the smoothness can make a huge difference to me, I'm worried that a film cover would get irritating w/ heavy use.

Also, is it really visually undetectable as you say? It truly doesn't seem to have any negative impact on the display? I'm really picky about this sort of thing.

 

Dan: I don't have an iPhone without the Film on hand right now to do a side-by-side comparison, but from memory, the Crystal Film *might* (and I say that with the utmost uncertainty) add a tiny, tiny bit of friction. That said, I've been using it heavily for two weeks straight now and haven't found it to be at all irritating. And a number of other iPhone owners have used mine without noticing a difference.

 

Well, at $16 maybe I'll just give it a try since I'm a paranoid bugger like yourself :P ... I think I'll try playing with the phone for a few minutes w/ out and then again right after I put it on. If it really is just a tiny, tiny bit or none at all it should be alright.

I'm also going to pay very close attention to the looks of the display both before and after to see if I can notice any slight visual degradation because on top of being paranoid I'm also an extremely picky bugger with my video quality!

 

Trust me when I say that everyone needs to have a screen protector. I had my phone in my shirt pocket and had to bend down to look under my car for the source of a knocking sound. This was in a parking lot with the standard asphalt surface.

The phone slipped out and fell maybe about a foot or less. Not only did it get a nasty dent on one corner of the phone (on which it landed) but also a few more nicks and scratches and a small circular scratch (covering about 5-7 pixels) on the screen from the impact. I can feel a depression in that area if I run my finger over it, its that bad.

You live, you learn. I now have a speck military style black rubber all round protection and this power crystal film protecting it from future accidents and also hiding some of the blemishes as mentioned above. Just because its not easy to break doesn't mean its not easy to ruin the experience for the life of the phone

 

Dan: Sorry, forgot to address that part. The Film is truly transparent. If you get it on straight, it's invisible (at least to my eyes).

 

The crystal film pack I got has a lot of dust on the adhesive side. Both the films. I returned them to the apple store and got a second pack. Unfortunately this one was just as bad. Just look at the film to the light and you can see the dust. I think the manufacturing is pretty poor. Time to return it too. Apple may charge a restocking fee. Hope not

 

Is this the brand that they dropped a piece of pizza on in the test video? An odd situation, I would say.

Any off you ever accidentally drop your slice of pizza on your iPhone? Me neither. :0)

 

Haha...funny!!

I had to use the 2nd film as well. In my quest to have it aligned perfectly, I managed to get some dust on the face of the iPhone. These are extremely noticeable. When they mean work in a dust free environment...do so!

I didn't notice much of a loss of tactile feel or even visual clarity. This is an extremely great product. Highly recommend getting it the same day you purchase the iPhone.

Now, just need to find a case that doesn't scratch the iPhone...like the rubber incase products do.

 

Can this film protector be used in conjunction with the iSkin Revo?

 

Nabeel: Yes, it works fine with the Revo.

 

I got this set of two protectors. My wife per one on her iPhone and with a little careful work, was able to get the air bubbles out. Then I tried to put the 2nd on my iPhone and even though I had cleaned my phone very carefully and tried to apply it right after removing the protective plastic sheet, there was instantly a dust particle or two on the sticky side. I swear they came on it, how else could it get on there so fast.

The directions give no clue how to "clean" this product. I tried and like another states, drying is a problem. I ended up getting more particles on it in the process. It eventually was a huge waste of time and effort trying, so I returned it to the Apple store and they swapped it out for another set. I was careful again and this time I got it to apply dust free the first try.

As for touch sensitivity, I haven't had much problem. The few times I've pressed icons or buttons on the screen and had no response the first try may or may not be related to this protective layer. But given that this phone goes up against your face, it's hard not to get oils on it which I'm glad I have the protection on there when I go to clean it. Wiping done during cleaning can cause wear on any surface.

 

After reading multiple reviews I wasn't sure if this would be easy to put on or hard. Good lord, it's INCREDIBLY easy. No dust, no fingerprints, no bubbles FIRST TIME. And it's gorgeous.

 

Anyone knows how this compares with the Artwizz Scratchstopper? I'll be buying one of these from my local London Apple Store next week... Thanks

 

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