Apple puts Belkin screen protector for iPhone X back on sale after earlier recall

Belkin's InvisiGlass Ultra protector for the iPhone X is once again available through Apple, following a December recall due to quality problems.

The new version of the accessory is 0.29 millimeters thick versus the original's 0.21 millimters. Buyers of the latter were sometimes complaining that the Ultra was cracking during everyday usage, as opposed to the incidents it was meant to safeguard against.

Belkin was hit with a wave of negative online reviews, likely leaving it little choice but to issue the recall.

Both Apple and Belkin have been offering refunds to people who bought the first-generation protector, according to MacRumors. The product costs $39.95.

Some form of screen protection can be critical for the iPhone X, since it uses an edge-to-edge display and lacks any kind of physical home button. A broken screen can potentially make the device even less usable than when the same damage hits other Apple devices, and the company is charging $279 for out-of-warranty screen replacements.

10 Comments

MplsP 4021 comments · 8 Years

About 6 years ago

I never understood the need for a screen protector - it's unclear to me how a 290 micron thick film will keep the screen from breaking if I drop my phone, and I have never had a scratched screen on any of my iPhones - the screen on my 6s looks as good as the day I bought it. They seem more like profit sales for the stores and kiosks than a useful product.

If you're going to drop $40, a good case seems like a much better investment.

cpsro 3236 comments · 14 Years

The notch is unprotected from scratches that could interfere with Face ID operation.

seanismorris 1624 comments · 8 Years

MplsP said:

I never understood the need for a screen protector - it's unclear to me how a 290 micron thick film will keep the screen from breaking if I drop my phone, and I have never had a scratched screen on any of my iPhones - the screen on my 6s looks as good as the day I bought it. They seem more like profit sales for the stores and kiosks than a useful product.

If you're going to drop $40, a good case seems like a much better investment.

The screen protector does help protect from drops. It usually shatters so the impact is distributed across the device rather than localized... similar to a bulletproof vest.

My current iPad has a screen protector on it, and there is a scratch on the protector from my cat. I’ll swap the protector at minimal cost. It’s a great way to protect the trade-in value.

The screens on Apple devices have a coating that is extremely easy to damage. Even though the “glass” is fine, it’s the coating that’s the problem. That’s why you’re not supposed to use glass cleaners...

Bulkin is smoking something trying to charge $40.

Here’s the one I have on my 6s, it’s $3.50 each with no tax and free shipping (Amazon Prime). That’s so cheap, I’ll sometimes swap the protector than trying to clean it.

JETech 2-Pack iPhone 6 6s Screen Protector Tempered Glass Film for Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s 4.7 ($6.99)

P.S All my devices have cases also.

thisisasj 64 comments · 9 Years

MplsP said:

I never understood the need for a screen protector...

Neither did I, until the iPhone X. A split second encounter with a key in my jacket pocket caused a visible scratch on the face of the phone, less than three weeks after I bought it. I was livid.

mavemufc 326 comments · 8 Years

MplsP said:

I never understood the need for a screen protector - it's unclear to me how a 290 micron thick film will keep the screen from breaking if I drop my phone, and I have never had a scratched screen on any of my iPhones - the screen on my 6s looks as good as the day I bought it. They seem more like profit sales for the stores and kiosks than a useful product.

If you're going to drop $40, a good case seems like a much better investment.

I've dropped phones with screen protectors on them and the protector cracked but the screen didn't, thats kind of the point of them, to protect the screen..