I Removed the iPhone Duo Matte Screen Protector

Quick summary: I remove the factory screen protector from every folding phone I own, and the iPhone Duo is no different. Its matte protector cuts reflections and helps hide the crease, but it also costs brightness and vibrancy. I tested it outdoors before and after. The display looks way better without it.

Key takeaways

• The matte protector feels ultra smooth and comfortable, which is the one reason I’d keep it.
• With it on, the screen is hard to see at an angle in direct sun.
• It peeled off surprisingly easily, much easier than Samsung’s.
• The removed film is incredibly hazy, like an invisibility cloak.
• Without it, the screen is more vibrant and easier to see in the sun, but much more reflective. I didn’t see the crease any more than before.

Before you remove it

If you have AppleCare, Apple can replace the protector for not very much money. Without AppleCare, it costs more. Check Apple’s current pricing before you peel.

How it feels with the protector

It’s very smooth. You can tell there’s something on it, and it has an ultra-smooth, comfortable feel I really like. That’s the one reason I might not want to remove it.

The crease with the protector on

The crease is hidden really well. Two or three days in, I can see it at certain angles, but generally I don’t. Even on a dark screen, I barely see it.

Outdoors with the protector on

At max brightness out of direct sun, I could see the screen fine, but it’s not super vibrant. In direct sun, when I angled the phone away, it was almost impossible to see. Head-on was okay, but viewing angles weren’t great.

Peeling it off

Lock the screen and dig under a corner. It came off surprisingly easily, much more easily than Samsung’s. Holding the removed film up, it’s incredibly foggy, like an invisibility cloak. I wasn’t expecting that.

After: glossy, vibrant and reflective

The display is way more glossy now and way more reflective. But straight on, it’s much more vibrant, easier to see and less hazy. Outdoors in the sun it looks a lot better to me, and even at an angle it doesn’t wash out.

Can you see the crease more?

Honestly, not really. I can maybe see a little something, but I don’t see the crease any more than I did before.

How does it feel?

Without the protector, it doesn’t feel quite as smooth, and right after removal there was some sticky residue. I prefer the protector’s feel, but I like the look so much better without it.

My verdict

Remove it. Give me the reflections, but give me better vibrancy and better viewing in direct sunlight. If you change your mind, you can get it replaced or add your own protector.

Case and grip in this video

• Latercase MagLock case for iPhone Duo, which is super thin
• Latercase iPhone Duo screen protector
• OhSnap Snapgrip stand, which makes the phone more comfortable and adds a built-in stand