Protection as good as glass

Every year, the best Android phones launch with the latest and “toughest yet” Corning Gorilla glass protection for their displays. However, out-of-pocket screen replacements can be expensive, and an additional protector seems justifiable. However, the market is overrun with tempered glass options. We see yesterday’s film-type options pre-applied by brands, only for us to peel them off like a wrapper.

I put up with tempered glass for a few years, infuriated by their one-and-done application style and protection alike — one drop, and you’re done for. However, GadgetShieldz has a new film-type protector called FlexArmor, which can be a fitting replacement.

Price and availability

A small price for non-sacrificial protection

GadgetShieldz is an Indian brand selling skins, tempered glass protectors, and FlexArmor films for devices including phones, tablets, earbuds, smartwatches, notebooks, and even cameras. For the average Android phone, you can buy standard Ultra Clear screen protectors for $8 to $10, with the Matte version usually priced a dollar higher. Adding body protection for the back panel, camera island, and sides, if available for your selected model, costs another $2.

You can even select a mix of matte and ultra clear protectors for the screen and body. The brand offers CaseFit screen protectors in both finishes with more spaces along the edges to prevent them from lifting when you slap a case on.

International shipping to the US via Airmail takes 25 to 35 business days and costs $2, but you can choose express shipping for delivery within a week for just $8. So, full body matte finish protection for something like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $12 plus shipping at $8, totaling $20.

In the box, you get the protector wrapped in a parchment paper envelope, as well as an installation kit comprising a spray bottle of soap solution, screen cleaning cloth, cardboard squeegee, and cleaning kit. The latter includes a wet wipe, a large dust removal sticker, and guide stickers to help with alignment during installation.

What’s good about GadgetShieldz FlexArmor

Scratches be gone

Scuffed protective skin was a pain to remove

After letting a decorative skin and a FlexArmor display protector tolerate abuse for a year, I reviewed the matte FlexArmor full-body protector for my Mi 11X. My aged ultra clear FlexArmor film peeled off the phone very easily, with minimal yellowing and no residue left behind, because these protectors use the principle of stiction instead of glue.

However, the skin left glue residue everywhere, but GadgetShieldz’s cleaning kit made short work of it.

I followed GadgetShieldz’s helpful instructions for the installation because the process differs from tempered glass. The application solution allows you to repeatedly reposition the protector until you squeegee the water from between the film and the screen. You can apply the alignment stickers to help with a CaseFit model.

The old FlexArmor didn’t leave any residue

If you trap dirt after spraying the application solution, you can remove it with a moist fingertip. I’d suggest gently working other bubbles to the edges, but most eventually disappear after a few hours. Smaller film segments are applied similarly, except you’re better off sliding a moist finger along instead of spraying the solution on it.

FlexArmor installation

Once installed properly, the film demonstrated self-healing capabilities — micro-scratches and grooves disappeared after exposure to heat. I found the film is thicker than pre-applied plastic protectors, so sharp objects like keys and fingernails leave an impression (which also disappears quickly), but the thickness helps with shock absorption without the protector shattering like tempered glass.

However, since FlexArmor isn’t crystalline, qualitative testing with Mohs hardness picks is futile.

What’s bad about GadgetShieldz FlexArmor

A few quips, but nothing alarming

There’s room for dust and stretched edges

Although there isn’t much to dislike, especially for the price, the FlexArmor installation for the display took around 15 minutes, and the rest of the body took another 20 — far longer than a tempered glass with an included alignment kit. Moreover, the process can be frustrating or challenging for a first-timer, especially with the smaller pieces.

If you rip the backing paper off like painter’s tape, you risk stretching them. You also need a heat gun or hair dryer to finish the installation. In case you run out of the provided application solution, GadgetShields recommends mixing a few drops of mild soap or baby shampoo with water as a suitable alternative.

In my installation, some dust particles snuck their way under the rear panel protector, but thanks to the film’s thickness, they don’t create tangible bumps or air pockets. I also noticed FlexArmor doesn’t protect tighter geometry around the camera bump like my old skin, perhaps due to material thickness and limitations in cutting precision.

Should you buy GadgetShieldz FlexArmor?

Think your requirements through

All things considered, GadgetShieldz FlexArmor is a fantastic investment to dodge screen replacements for your tech, so long as you temper expectations for protection from drops and impact. A full-body protector is the best option for devices like the Nothing phones or when you just want to keep the bulk to a minimum.

For the ideal combination of scratch and drop resistance, I can wholeheartedly recommend a CaseFit FlexArmor protector and a case of your choice. Yes, the installation takes a while, but the protection also self-heals and isn’t even sacrificial like tempered glass.