iPhone 17 will make you think twice about applying a screen protector — here's why

One of the first things you should always do when you get a new phone is buy a case and a screen protector. However, a new report has revealed that new iPhone 17 series users might want to hold off on the latter.

In a recent series of tests, manufacturer Astropad revealed that certain screen protectors can make your iPhone 17 worse in bright environments. The reason for this is due to the iPhone 17 series featuring a display with its own Anti-reflective (AR) coating, courtesy of the Ceramic Shield 2. On one hand, this is great as it means your phone should always offer the best display experience, no matter where you are.

However, this does have a downside due to how AR coatings actually work, which is a process called "destructive interference." Essentially, the coating is comprised of ultra-thin layers of material, each with different optical properties, that are stacked on the surface of the glass. The idea is that the layers are turned in such a way that the reflected light waves from each are cancelled out, reducing reflections.

Unfortunately, if you look at the above table, you'll notice that the introduction of a screen protector seemingly nullifies the reflective properties on the iPhone 17 Pro. That's because AR coatings require several different factors to actually work.

For an AR coating to function properly, each layer must have a precise thickness, the correct refractive index, and — most importantly — the presence of air above it. This helps the coating to create the desired interference pattern it needs. The issue is that a screen protector cuts off the air that the AR coating needs to function.

Should I still buy a screen protector?

This leads to a bit of a conundrum, as it means that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max could be the first line of phones where protecting the display leads to a noticeable downgrade. However, it's worth noting that you could simply purchase a screen protector that offers its own AR coating, thus removing the issue.

I know that the issue many might have is that these screen protectors are often more expensive. Here's the thing: this really isn't an area you want to cut back on too much. Cheaper protectors might save you a buck in the short run, but they often have other issues. This includes being too thick for the screen to properly register inputs or even poor-quality adhesive.

As such, you'll want to make sure you spend a little bit extra on a screen protector that offers anti-reflective quality. Although some customers claim that they can feel less smooth to the touch than the clear protectors, so be warned. Alternatively, you could look for an iPhone 17 case that offers a cover for the display, which would help to avoid damage while allowing the phone to work as it should.

Let us know if you've noticed your iPhone 17's display being dimmer since you put on a screen protector and what you've done to solve the problem.

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