Will a Screen Protector Stop Cracks? Here's What You Need to Know

Key Takeaways

• Tempered glass screen protectors offer superior protection compared to PET protectors.
• Certain screen protectors don’t just prevent cracks; they also add additional features like anti-glare layers and blue-light filtering.
• Invest in screen protectors designed specifically for your lifestyle and device, and keep your phone out of extreme conditions to maximize protection.

Your phone’s screen is its most vulnerable part, and protecting it is easier (and more affordable!) than you might think. A single drop can lead to minor cracks, which may then spread into permanent damage that becomes financially unfeasible to repair. 

Will a screen protector prevent those cracks from spreading? Absolutely. Find out everything you need to know about screen protectors with this detailed ZAGG guide.

Screen Protectors: A Quick Overview

A screen protector can protect a cracked screen and stop those cracks from occurring in the first place. But how exactly do they work, and will a screen protector always stop cracks? Let’s take a closer look.

Screen protectors are usually made of either plastic or tempered glass (this one’s ideal!). They’re designed to adhere closely to your phone’s screen to safeguard it from damage. They function like a sacrificial shield of sorts, absorbing scratches, impact, and scuffs so your phone’s screen doesn’t have to. Benefits include:

• Impact Absorption & Crack Prevention: Your tempered glass screen protector is the first line of defense when you drop your phone. Tempered glass protectors in particular, with a width of 0.3-0.5 mm, are designed to crack or shatter so your screen doesn’t take the brunt of the force.
  
  How will screen protectors stop cracks? It ultimately comes down to physics. Similar to the Gorilla Glass used in your iPhone, a tempered glass screen protector typically uses a layered structure. The adhesive layer absorbs shock, while a hardened outer surface fends off abrasion.
  
• Smudge Resistance: Screen protectors will prevent cracks from spreading, but they’ll also stop everyday smudges and fingerprints from becoming a problem. Modern screen protectors feature an oleophobic coating that makes the screen much easier to clean and slows down the accumulation of smudges.
  
  This makes a significant difference in everyday use, and it’s a convenience you might not have noticed if it hadn’t been pointed out to you. Even as a power user, you’ll be able to retain maximum screen clarity and get the most out of your phone.
• Specialized Light Filtering: Screen protectors will stop cracks and minimize the harmful effects of blue light over time. High-end screen protectors often feature blue light filtering, which is excellent because prolonged exposure to blue light can impact your sleep quality and lead to headaches and dry eyes.
• Scratch Protection: There’s nothing more annoying than a prominent, permanent scratch in the center of your phone screen. A reliable screen protector stops that from happening by shielding your screen against keys, pocket lint, and other rough surfaces. Even plastic (PET) screen protectors do a great job of minimizing phone scratches.

Types of Screen Protectors

A screen protector can protect a cracked screen, but only if you choose well. The extent to which a screen protector will stop cracks depends entirely on the materials it uses. Different types of screen protectors include the following.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Screen Protectors

Will PET screen protectors prevent cracks from spreading? It depends on the extent of the damage, but PET screen protectors are primarily used for their scratch resistance. They’re lightweight, easy to apply, and usually much more affordable than other options on the market.

The list of cons is more concerning. While they might be cheaper, PET protectors can’t reliably protect your phone against drops and heavy impact. They may also impact screen clarity if you’re buying from a substandard brand. They also wear out much faster than alternatives like tempered glass.

Tempered Glass

If you’re looking to invest in a high-quality screen protector that will stop cracks, it should ideally be made of tempered glass. This material gives you superior impact protection, touch sensitivity, screen clarity, and longevity. It might cost more than a PET protector, but the long-term value means it essentially pays for itself.

Privacy Screen Protectors

Privacy screen protectors are typically also made of tempered glass. These protectors often use polarizing filters to shield your phone from prying eyes. If you’re buying from a reliable brand like ZAGG, you also get access to two-way and four-way privacy, perfect for a long commute on the train or bus.

Anti-Glare Screen Protectors

As another subset of tempered glass protectors, these screen protectors will stop cracks and keep your phone screen perfectly readable even in bright daylight, thanks to a matte finish. If you’re someone who’s always out and about for work, anti-glare screen protectors are a great choice.

Blue-Light Screen Protectors

These screen protectors will prevent cracks from spreading and shield you from potentially harmful blue light exposure after heavy usage. Blue-light screen protectors reduce the long-term effects of blue light, and, if you’re buying from ZAGG, omit that annoying yellow tint you might find on a substandard screen protector. 

Will a Screen Protector Stop Cracks?

This is the million-dollar question, and the answer is…it depends! Screen protectors can protect a cracked screen and prevent it from forming altogether, but they do have their limits. Tempered glass offers significantly more protection than PET, especially if it’s been strengthened with graphene, like ZAGG’s XTR4 screen protectors.

These protectors should shield your phone from cracks if dropped from a waist-level height onto concrete or tile, with the tempered glass layers distributing the force of the impact evenly. However, no screen protector can offer you unlimited protection in any scenario. Factors such as the speed of the impact or the type of surface your phone falls on play a significant role here.

Will a Screen Protector Prevent Cracks From Spreading?

Screen protectors will stop cracks, but what if your phone already has one? In most cases, using a protector should help you stabilize minor screen damage using the adhesive in the tempered glass. 

However, it may not be as effective if your phone has sustained an extensive crack that affects your screen’s functionality. Once again, the PET screen protectors’ lack of rigidity renders them less effective at containing damage than tempered glass.

Tips To Avoid Screen Cracks

• Invest in a Quality Screen Protector: If your goal is to maximize protection for your phone, it’s worth investing in a high-quality screen protector. A tempered glass screen protector will stop cracks for most users, and the premium is nothing compared to the cost of getting your screen replaced or having to buy a new phone entirely.
• Pair It With a Case: The phone case will perfectly complement your screen protector by helping distribute the force of an impact more evenly. For example, ZAGG’s line of hardshell phone cases features raised edges, textured grips, and shock-absorbing materials to give your phone the protection it deserves.
• Use Grip Accessories: If you’re someone who often finds themselves wondering whether a screen protector will prevent cracks from spreading, the best thing you can do is to prevent falls altogether.
  
  Grip accessories help a lot here. Something as simple as a phone strap or a lanyard can stop most falls from ever happening. If something does go wrong, your ZAGG screen protector will stop most cracks.
• Avoid Extreme Conditions: Certain external factors out of our control can actually make our phones more vulnerable. For example, accidentally exposing your iPhone to high temperatures (such as leaving it in a hot car) can degrade your screen’s integrity, making cracks more likely to form.

Choosing a Screen Protector

Now that we’ve established whether screen protectors can protect a cracked screen and fight off scratches, let’s look at the right screen protectors for you.

For The Travelers

If you’re someone who frequently goes backpacking and books one-way flight tickets for the thrill of it, you’ll need to ensure your phone stays usable and protected in case of emergencies. An anti-glare screen protector will stop cracks and preserve readability in most conditions. ZAGG’s Glass Elite Anti-Glare screen protector is a great choice here. 

For The Commuters

Nothing’s more annoying than taking the bus and realizing you’ve been scrolling for two. ZAGG’s Glass Elite 4-Way Privacy screen protectors will prevent cracks from spreading and hide your phone screen from everyone around you. It’s the commuter’s best friend.

For The Night Owls

If you’re someone who uses their phone long into the night with the lights off, ZAGG’s XTR4 Blue Light screen protector has you covered, blending blue light filtering with a graphene-strengthened tempered glass layer.

For Everyone

If you’re a mix of everyone described above, ZAGG’s XTR4 screen protectors are perfect for you. These screen protectors will stop cracks, are easy to install, and don’t break the bank.

Shield Your Phone Today

Ready to give your phone the ultimate upgrade? Choose ZAGG for your next screen protector and enjoy FSC-certified products, elevated designs, and robust screen protectors that can stand the test of time.