Good Screen Protector and/or Case? - HTC Droid DNA

Hi everyone,
Was wondering what your opinions were on a case and screen protector. I'm using a Zagg InvisibleSheild right now with the silicon-based, glossy case that Verizon offered when I bought my phone (the Zagg I bought later on). My only gripes are that the case feels like a grease magnet, and, while the I don't mind the looks of the screen protector, it is anything but smudge-resistant. I had an anti-glare screen protector with some plastic hard-shell case combo on my old IP4, and loved them.
What do you guys suggest? I can't seem to find any good anti-glare screen protectors out there, at least on Amazon anyway. Are there (relatively thin) cases that cover the power button like the volume rocker, to make it easier to press?
Thanks!

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I had such a hard time putting on those screen protectors when I had my original Motorola DROID that i'd never buy those things again. It's not worth the trouble it takes to put them on without getting annoying bubbles underneath, or when they get dirty/worn around the edges and start coming back off.
I remember asking a Verizon employee to put them on when I bought some extra ones from them in-store and after I watched them fight trying to get one on good I said nevermind these things are junk I don't want them. They don't help with touchscreen response either.

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In my experience I think screen protectors are the biggest waste of time (for protection) - The only real benefit is it can sometimes make the screen feel easier to touch and less fingerprints.
I am a very active phone user. I have an SGS 3 for business and DNA for daily use. I have also owned lots of high end smartphones. The only time I ever used a screen protector was with a business original iPhone 3G (was already on) after it becoming annoying to me I ripped it off. Not once have I ever encountered scratches that I can notice without having the screen off and on some crazy angle with with a completely blank screen. Yes there are extremely light scratches that are only noticeable under these angles but anybody upset about this is simply nitpicking or being a princess.
I used to work for a Telco company dealing with repairs and I can tell you this much. If your screen is going to get a deep scratch from something it won't matter if you use one or not, however if you are always taking your phone to the beach and rolling around in sand, filling your pockets with sand and jamming your phone against the granules then a screen protector might reduce the impact. Other than that it is a complete waste of time when it comes down to protection.
I also think it is absolutely ridiculous when people try to argue this and show me there phone with a screen protector on it covered in tiny scratches. Firstly screen protectors (Unless you buy glass ones) are going to scratch easier than the your screen, but the funny thing is, people actually leave the protector on with these scratches present and don't seem to complain about the look of it? 90% of people I know never change their screen protector and it totally defeats the purpose of having one if it is more scratched than what it would be without one.
What do you think that when you sell the phone that you will pull that screen protector off and suddenly the phone is worth more money because it doesn't have those tiny scratches that nobody can notice? In most cases you are selling an outdated phone and considering I have sold hundreds of phones second hand, the last thing people are worried about with a second hand phone is turning the screen off and examining minuscule scratches on weird angles. You do realise that people actually have the screen on when they use the phone?
So my advice to anybody who uses or is looking to use a screen protector is if you think this is going to save your phone against "noticeable scratches" then you are 100% wrong - If you use one that reduces fingerprints, has a likeable sensitivity and you like the look and feel of it than I understand, that is simply your preference and I can respect that. In any other scenario I think it is time to grow a pair and rip that stupid thing off and try it for yourself.
Pros:
Might reduce light scratches directly to the screen that you would need to search for on certain angles with a blank screen, lol
If you roll in sand you might have a reduction in the depth of the scratch
Some people prefer the feel of a protector
Some might offer less fingerprints
Cons:
Makes screen duller, even if some offer 99% clearness it is still duller
Can reduce screen sensitivity
Unless you put it on perfectly it will be noticeable due to peeling up, bubbles, dirt or just the plain visuals of the material
If you have paid for it than you have most likely wasted your money
As for cases, the best protection with the least bulk would be one of the TPU cases with the S design on the back. You can get better protection but it will be twice if not thrice as bulky

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I can definitely see where you're coming from with the screen protector. My main reasoning for using it is the feel, and, if I can find a decent one, a way to reduce fingerprints.
Any recommendations on cases? The Diztronic series seems to be rather popular, but it is very similar to what I have right now, which does anything but deter any kind of grit and grease.

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supertoast92 said:
I can definitely see where you're coming from with the screen protector. My main reasoning for using it is the feel, and, if I can find a decent one, a way to reduce fingerprints.
Any recommendations on cases? The Diztronic series seems to be rather popular, but it is very similar to what I have right now, which does anything but deter any kind of grit and grease.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used Diztronic in the past and they are above average. I would still say that the best case so far I have used for my phone would be the Ballistic cases
On the left is the front of my cases and on the right is the back
The 3 on the top starting from the left are Qmadix White/Grey and Purple/Grey These cases are FANTASTIC for protection. They are half silicon and half solid plastic, you can actually flex and bend the cases and they spring back, they are a very tight fit and the indentation on the sides make it easy to grip when you need to access the power button, which is nice and easy to press in and they also help when you're using for anything 1 handed.
Then you have the Ballistic LS series in Grey which is probably the best protection you will get for this phone for it's size. The only part that is large is obviously the corners, they are oversized silicon with a solid hard cap deliberately for cushion landing and they have a great track record for drop tests as it is usually the corner impact that does the most damage, it does however look a bit dorky. Down the bottom is also a Ballistic this time in Black and it's the Shell Gell regular. Overall this case feels the best for comfort and button pressing vs overall protection. The Qmadix cases are on par but just a little bit harder on the buttons, keep in mind they are a slimmer fit. Next we have a clear S design TPU case which offers great protection for it's size, however the power button is very hard to press in unless you get it perfectly square on and it just doesn't feel as nice in the hand, it is very slim.
The last case is the Poetic Palette which offers the worst protection out of all of them as it is designed only to be a barely there case. It doesn't cover the bottom or top of the bezel and it doesn't wrap around the edges. I have shattered 2 screens using this style of case and I wouldn't recommend this to anybody. I didn't even order this case, I actually ordered the Poetic Atmosphere which looks fantastic but they sent me the wrong case
I am constantly changing between all of these cases besides the Poetic Pallette which I didn't even want and the Grey Ballistic with massive corners as it is just too weird looking. All of the others are fantastic and I would rate them like this
Ballistic Shell Gel + Qmadix are a tie. It's hard for me to settle on just 1 lol.
Clear TPU is great but not as comfortable so it comes in second
Keep in mind I AM A VERY ACTIVE SINGLE HANDED USER! I drop my phone at least a few times a week
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I always put an invisible shield on my phones (even though many people don't like them) mostly so if it does get scratched I can "un-scratch it" with a $5 warranty replacement OR when I go to sell the phone it's still perfect for the next person.
If my screen protector gets scratched I can fix the problem in 3 days for $5. If my glass screen is scratched it's going to cost me at least $100 to fix.

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cc16177 said:
I always put an invisible shield on my phones (even though many people don't like them) mostly so if it does get scratched I can "un-scratch it" with a $5 warranty replacement OR when I go to sell the phone it's still perfect for the next person.
If my screen protector gets scratched I can fix the problem in 3 days for $5. If my glass screen is scratched it's going to cost me at least $100 to fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you sell your phone still as a current model in new condition then it might work in your favour. As my comment suggests earlier, this bothers very few buyers when they purchase a second hand phone. I used to sell refurbished handsets all day every day. Light scratches are not noticeable unless the screen is off and you hold it on an angle. If you get a scratch deeper than this it won't matter if you have a screen protector or not, it's going to scratch the same.
I have seen way too many phones with evidence of this due to the nature of my profession. However, some people are very picky when it even comes to these light scratches (Which are more like minuscule clear marks) even on their CD's and Movies. Some also believe it is far nicer to swipe the screen with a protector on! - I personally can't stand the feel and look of them. Nothing like riding bareback

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uppon2 said:
If you sell your phone still as a current model in new condition then it might work in your favour. As my comment suggests earlier, this bothers very few buyers when they purchase a second hand phone. I used to sell refurbished handsets all day every day. Light scratches are not noticeable unless the screen is off and you hold it on an angle. If you get a scratch deeper than this it won't matter if you have a screen protector or not, it's going to scratch the same.
I have seen way too many phones with evidence of this due to the nature of my profession. However, some people are very picky when it even comes to these light scratches (Which are more like minuscule clear marks) even on their CD's and Movies. Some also believe it is far nicer to swipe the screen with a protector on! - I personally can't stand the feel and look of them. Nothing like riding bareback
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I sold my Galaxy Nexus for $220 in about 3 days because it was still in perfect condition. It's also mostly just about the fact that scratches annoy me and i'd rather be constantly changing screen protectors than to look at it lol

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I actually think the ones from Verizon aren't too bad at all. They aren't edge to edge, but because of the curved glass, this material probably can't be. It covers the screen and buttons, doesn't take much away from the screen, and is cheap peace of mind. That's not to say they're the best out there. But they're cheap and readily available.
I do sometimes think about going naked, both on the case and the screen protector. One the one hand, I've always liked the idea that a $4-10 piece of plastic is taking the abuse, and I can easily rip it off and replace it when needed. On the other, the plastic will actually scratch more easily than the glass. So just because our screen protectors end up with scratches on them does not necessarily validate the need to use them. Some of those scratches on the screen protectors wouldn't have happened on the glass. But some certainly could have, so it really comes down to how much you care about scratches and how much risk you want to take.

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I have learned that a screen protector is good the hard way.
I carry a small flashlight on my beltloop and i tuck the light into my pocket, well the flashlight is harder then the glass and it will put light scratches on it.

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An otterbox case will do everything you want. It comes with the best screen protector I've ever used and it makes the power and volume MUCH easier to push. It also makes the phone nearly indestructible and is fairly priced IMO. I really hate screen protectors as a rule butt the otterbox wasn't too bad. I did eventually remove it from the case though.

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I went with a Qmadix case which was recommended, thanks for giving recommendations for it. The power button is much easier to use.
By the way, does anyone have any positive experience with a tight fitting case and screen protectors? Particularly a screen protector that doesn't bubble up around the edges with this or a similar case?
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app

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I know it's lame, but I got the soft silicone case from Verizon for $15 and I've dropped my phone multiple times with no problems at all.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app

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Seidio just came out with an active case for the dna. It isn't the thinnest, but the kickstand on it is very high quality to match the rest of the case. I just received mine an couple days ago and have been very happy with it so far. It's similar to the commuter otter box, but with an added kickstand and better feeling materials. Very protective as well.

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cmfx said:
I know it's lame, but I got the soft silicone case from Verizon for $15 and I've dropped my phone multiple times with no problems at all.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hah, I do have that case which I just came off of.
There are two small gripes I have with it, one being the power button is even more receded with that case, and the other being that I didn't like the greasy feel it had (at least for me). This Qmadix case I'm using now has a nice grip to it, and the power button is beveled like the volume rocker cover; it doesn't give that "cushiony" feel when I sit it down like the silicone case, though... It adds some thickness to the set as opposed to the silicon case, but not that much. It almost has an Otterbox look to it but, considering I've never owned an Otterbox, I believe it is still quite thinner.
I sort of solved the bubbling of my Zagg screen protector by reseating the case; that being said, I nearly tore my phone in half removing the case. Some of the tabs started popping up which held the front face onto the phone. Yikes! Guess I should've been a bit more gentle. It snapped back together without problems, thankfully.

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Is there a case that offers as much protection as say the silicon case at Verizon, but has a built in kickstand on the backside?

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Just got this case in the mail today, sort of seidio activeish but minus the kickstand. Worth the 5 bucks I spent but my old lady has the note 2 and active case, the fit around the buttons is crazy different. Very loose and sloppy on my apex case
Droid DNA unlocked rooted stock rom dsb 3.1.3 kernel tapatalk 2

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case
first thing I did was buy a case and a screen protector but I like the naked phone so much, I opted for insurance instead!