Just in the past month, I’ve seen so many people on the subway rocking one of those privacy screen protectors on their phones. You know, the kind that blocks the screen from the sides — so that prying eyes don’t see what they’re doing.
I definitely can see how they can be helpful, including a couple months ago when I was flying for work. When you’re in such close proximity to others, we often forget that we might be doing something personal or important on our devices. The last thing you want is someone snooping on what you’re doing, or worse, reading personal information like your passwords or conversations you’re having with people.
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A bubble-free installation
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
With any screen protector application, my biggest annoyance at the end is seeing air bubbles all around the screen. Fortuntately, that wasn’t an issue when I installed the Zagg Glass 4-Way Privacy XTR Screen Protector on my iPhone 17 Pro, as the directions were pretty straightforward.
After cleaning off my screen with the included alcohol wipe, I proceeded to buff out the moisture with a microfiber cloth. I could still see some faint dust particles lying over the screen — so I managed to remove them with the included sticky dust removal sticker.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
Once it was pristine and no traces of dust emerged, I went ahead and placed my iPhone 17 Pro down into the installation kit with the screen face down. With one simple pull, it applied the screen protector and I just applied light pressure on the sides to firm up the bond. It’s so easy, I think my non-techy dad could do it. Best of all, the end result is no air bubbles.
Good coverage from all sides
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
Just as its name implies, this privacy screen protector offers 4-way protection. Unlike others that only protect from the sides, Zagg’s version also covers the top and bottom. This helps out when I’m watching videos with my iPhone 17 Pro while holding it horizontally.
I will say, though, that it’s most effective when I set the screen’s brightness to a low to mid setting. The screen looks completely dark from the sides, which I’d estimate to be about under 45-degrees. Viewing it at an angle more than that, I can still make out what’s on screen — but only faintly. If I’m typing something up to a friend, scrolling through an article, or reading up on emails, it’s very difficult to make out the screen.
Take a look at the before and after results above to see what I’m talking about. I set my iPhone 17 Pro to its maximum brightness level, then captured it from the same angle after installing the privacy screen protector.
If you’re worried about a person sitting besides you, say on a subway ride, there’s no need to worry because it’s nearly impossible for them to see anything. They’d have to be right behind you and practically looking at the screen almost straight on to see it.
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Screen is slightly dimmer
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
The downside to installing this privacy screen protector is that it weakens the brightness of my iPhone 17 Pro’s screen. I noticed it almost immediately after installing the privacy screen protector, as the screen was a smidge dimmer than before. But that’s the compromise you’ll need to make if you want better privacy.
Likewise, it’s also worth pointing out that the screen becomes slightly more visible when it’s at the highest brightness setting. At the same sub 45-degree angle I was viewing my iPhone’s screen from the side, I can make out the faint outline of the icons on my home screen.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
While you might think this is problematic for something that’s meant to give you more privacy, it’s not a big deal because it looks almost like the phone’s brightness is all the way down to its lowest setting.
Scratch resistance is holding up well
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
As much as Apple and everyone loves to tout the scratch resistant properties of their screens, I’ve scratched every single one of the phones I’ve tested this year. So, if you intend on keeping your phone in pristine condition for as long as possible a screen protector is necessary.
The Zagg Glass 4-Way Privacy XTR Screen Protector has so far held up nicely a week after applying it on my phone. Zagg says that it’s 5x stronger than basic screen protectors, and considering that I’ve been putting my phone in and out of my bag, I think it’s proof enough to say it’s pretty scratch resistant.
Even if I do end up dropping my phone from an extreme height and it somehow cracks the screen protector, Zagg offers a lifetime warranty where they’ll send out a replacement. I’m pretty sure a basic screen protector wouldn’t have this kind of guarantee.
Bottom Line
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
You’re going to pay a premium for the Zagg Glass 4-Way Privacy XTR Screen Protector. At $60 for a piece of tempered glass, it certainly comes off as expensive. But considering how it’ll keep my iPhone 17 Pro’s display in pristine condition for as long as I use it, that’s worth the cost when it comes to the resell value of the phone — something that’s important with trade-in offers.
Additionally, I really like the privacy it offers while I’m using my phone in public. I can now watch a video in peace while riding the subway without worry they’ll be looking. Plus, the lifetime warranty that Zagg offers is just icing on the cake.
I found other privacy screen protectors on Amazon for far less, like Spigen’s AluminaCore privacy screen protector, but that one doesn’t have a lifetime warranty like Zagg.
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