I tried the iPhone screen protector that's going viral on social media (and it didn't disappoint)

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A fewer weeks ago, I started seeing a batch of ads connected Instagram for a peculiar marque of surface protector that promised speedy and casual exertion and large protection. As idiosyncratic who goes done a batch of surface protectors (I've breached 3 connected my iPhone 17 Pro Max already), my curiosity was piqued. 

Also: I wanted a privateness surface protector - until I enactment 1 connected my Galaxy S25 Ultra

However, my attraction span being what it is, I forgot. Then radical started asking maine astir those Magic John surface protectors. Are they immoderate easier to use and much durable than the others retired there, oregon is it conscionable marketing? 

There was lone 1 mode to find out. I bought a Magic John surface protector kit for my iPhone.

Not travel crossed them before? Here's a demo of the product:

Screen protectors person travel a agelong mode from the elemental integrative expanse you utilized to instrumentality connected your phone. They're present tempered solid sheets with a precocious level of hardness and scratch resistance, and they travel with an applicator -- a large contraption consisting of a framework to assistance with alignment and getting the acceptable right, truthful there's nary much having to peel the protector disconnected to realign.

I similar having a surface protector due to the fact that it shields the surface from scuffs and damage, preserving resale value. I besides judge that it does minimize -- not destruct -- superior surface damage.  

Also: I recovered a 3-in-1 wireless charger destined for the biggest Apple fans (and it supports Qi2 speeds)

And particulate -- the scourge of applying surface protectors -- is besides beauteous overmuch a happening of the past, arsenic the surface protector features a particulate removal expanse that's utilized conscionable moments earlier the protector is applied.

Magic John 3rd-generation surface protectors assertion to beryllium faster and easier to use than earlier models. I haven't utilized the erstwhile procreation versions, but I tin accidental that these ones are highly speedy and casual to apply. I gave the telephone surface a cursory hitch with the included intoxicant wipes (not adding the obligatory sprinkle of particulate to the surface that they each bash successful the demo videos to amusement however bully they are astatine removing the dust), popped it into the alignment contraption, pulled the tab, and the protector was applied.

No fuss. No dust. No bubbles. 

A broad surface cleaning kit is included.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

In presumption of quality, the surface protector looks and feels similar the show connected my iPhone, and interaction operations don't look affected successful immoderate mode whatsoever. I chose the privateness screen, truthful it has a constricted tract of presumption to forestall snooping, but this successful nary mode affects the performance, speed, oregon reliability of the Face ID mechanics (a occupation I've had successful the past with immoderate surface protectors).

Also: Is this Android telephone with a built-in projector a gimmick oregon axenic genuis? My verdict aft a week of use

But however pugnacious is it?

Well, since my kit came with two, I decided to sacrifice 1 of the protectors to immoderate testing. While you can't recreate real-world usage, I had to improvise -- abusing the protector successful a assortment of ways, from trying to scratch it with rocks to bashing it with hard objects. 

It seemed to person nary issues, shrugging disconnected astir of my abuse. 

As is the lawsuit with each surface protectors and solid successful general, you tin interruption it if you try. For example, deed it with thing similar carbide, and it'll interruption -- well, not connected the archetypal hit.

Second effort is simply a charm.

Still, contempt the information that it broke -- yet -- it's a super-tough surface protector. I had to truly try to really interruption it.

ZDNET's buying advice

I've fitted hundreds of surface protectors onto assorted devices, from the earliest phones and PDAs (remember the iPAQ?) to GPS units and smartphones. This Magic John 3rd-generation kit is, hands down, the quickest, easiest 1 to apply. (It helps that it's avaialble for assorted different products, too, including Android phones and gaming consoles.)

And erstwhile applied, it's virtually invisible, doesn't impact the touchscreen oregon Face ID, and boasts precocious optical clarity.

Also: I've tried each iPhone 17 model, and my aureate regularisation for upgrading is changing successful 2025

It's a pugnacious surface protector, and it resists scratches and impacts truly well. I've been utilizing the surface protector connected my regular operator for a mates of weeks, and it inactive looks similar new. (Considering that I've gone done respective surface protectors already for my caller iPhone, this protector has already outlasted the ones I utilized before.) 

For $26 for 2 surface protectors (Magic John besides a privacy surface protector that costs $21 for two), it sounds expensive, but it's a decent terms for a decent surface protector that seems to past (so far, astatine immoderate rate).