Develop Bugs

Samsung Multimedia Desktop Dock May Damage Galaxy Tab 10.1

I have noticed that there are two plastic pins/ridges at the base of the multimedia dock that press so hard against the lower edge of the tab that they will physically warp the screen protector. On an unprotected tab, these might cause physical damage over time. These plastic pins or ridges form two pressure points on either side of the Samsung Logo. - and before anyone points this out: yes I know its supposed to have gorilla glass, but I am not that confident in it, and the pins are close enough to potentially damage the plastic edge-frame of the tab.
These same pins/ridges are NOT present in the keyboard dock and no warping of screen protectors or severe pressure points occur.
For this reason I have discontinued using the multimedia dock and am currently using the keyboard dock instead.
I have included pictures of the pressure points and pins below.

Thanks for noticing this ... I will check it out.

If the pins are plastic i dont think they can damage the hard glass.

Yes they are plastic, and the pins/ridges don't look like much, and may or may not cause any harm to the tab, but the amount of warping of the screen protector really bothers me. The warping that you see in the photos progresses as the tab stays in the dock. After a while the corners star to peel upward as well, and I wind up with a two inch diamber bubble that I have to keep smoothing out. So, despite appearances I suspect there is a lot of stress along the lower edge of the dock.
When I put the tab in the keyboard dock instead, the screen protector stays absolutely smooth - big difference.
As a side note: even if the dock doesn't harm the tab, it is a royal pain to have to keep smoothing giant bubles in the screen protector over and over.
I posted this primarily so that we can make an informed decision, if you think its safe, use the dock - if you're paranoid like me, the keyboard dock is a safe alternative.

My guess: the dock was designed solely with the Tab in mind. Not with the Tab plus a screen protector. The screen protector may not seem like it adds much at all to the thickness, but when it comes to a precise measurement, it does. So I don't think it will do any damage to a naked Tab, but as you have seen firsthand the screen protector takes the brunt of it.

Kevin Gossett said:
My guess: the dock was designed solely with the Tab in mind. Not with the Tab plus a screen protector. The screen protector may not seem like it adds much at all to the thickness, but when it comes to a precise measurement, it does. So I don't think it will do any damage to a naked Tab, but as you have seen firsthand the screen protector takes the brunt of it.
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Good point, you're probably right. But I wonder why the ridges are necessary at all, as they aren't pressent in the keyboard dock.
And my trust level for Samsung accessories isn't all that high. There was a windows tablet a while back called the Q1 Ultra designed by Samsung. Samsung designed a case for it that had a plastic bracket in it made to hold a keyboard. After a month of use, I was amazed to find long sharp groves dug deep into my screen protector, from the keyboar bracket. There was no gorilla glass back then, and if it had not been for the screen protector my Q1 ultra would have been a real mess.

Wouldn't sanding down those "pins" fix the issue if you use screen protectors? Take like 1/16th of an inch off and it won't push as hard on it? Or maybe sand them off completely and put maybe felt in there?

I didnt think it had gorilla glass? And yes those plastic edges that hold in the tab damaged my screen without a protector on. cry. first day i had it

Get the dock hot and bend the plastic out. E.g. run it under hot water. oh yeah. like that's gonna work. i used my dock a couple times and didnt notice any issues w/ the tab. but it is a "tight" fit.

HTSeeU said:
I didnt think it had gorilla glass? And yes those plastic edges that hold in the tab damaged my screen without a protector on. cry. first day i had it
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I highly doubt its gorilla glass. my tab screen has a minor scratch already and I rarely move it around
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

I also do not think that it has gorilla glass, i have a scratch as well. I tried not to use it a lot until i receiver my screen armour.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

I see the pins you are talking about. They don't seem to touch the glass, no screen protector on. However, thats not what left marks on my glass\shell. In the far left and right corners there are like plastic half circles (Hard to see) that press against the glass real hard. I will take pictures soon.

According to Corning's website the only Samsung product that has GG is the SGS2. Also the screen on my GT is nothing like what is on my G2X which certainly does have GG.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

I'm curious to know what type of screen proector Digital Man was using with the dock. Can you please post. Thank you. I am unable to take pictures of the half circle plastic tabs in the left and right corners of the dock. I either need a new camera or 4 hands with a light and macro shot.

Be careful , S Pen scratches screen

I scratched my galaxy note screen with the S pen, I always keep my screen clean and I was playing "Draw Something" on it and while drawing for a second i felt a sandy grinding pressure when I used the pen, the next day I noticed I had scratched it.
My old DS and DS lite were also susceptible to this, but this thing has freaking gorilla glass and gets scratched by its own pen. It's a tiny scratch but noticeable only on bright backgrounds when using phone.
So be warned, I suggest not using the pen at all unless you have a protective film on it.
What's worse since it is gorilla glass it is next to impossible to polish the scratch out unless you have industrial equipment.
Ridiculous

thanks. I use my pen for Draw Something as well. But I do have a screen protector on there. Yeah it's really dumb that the pen can scratch the screen.
I'm just a bit disappointed by the build quality of my note. Considering I paid almost 700 usd for it.

The s pen physically cannot scratch the screen. The tip is not hard enough to do that period. If you have a minute piece of dirt/sand that's a hard mineral, which is easy to find in a pocket, on the screen when you use the pen the mineral under the tip of the pen can scratch the screen. Its very easy to do and happens all the time. Gorilla glass is scratch proof such as regular glass, but only scratch proof to certain things. A glass screen which by composition is a mineral of some type can be scratched by other minerals.
Sent from one of my Galaxies

skyhigh2004 said:
The s pen physically cannot scratch the screen. The tip is not hard enough to do that period. If you have a minute piece of dirt/sand that's a hard mineral, which is easy to find in a pocket, on the screen when you use the pen the mineral under the tip of the pen can scratch the screen. Its very easy to do and happens all the time. Gorilla glass is scratch proof such as regular glass, but only scratch proof to certain things. A glass screen which by composition is a mineral of some type can be scratched by other minerals.
Sent from one of my Galaxies
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Click to collapse
Still doesn't change the fact that if you use S Pen, your screen will be scratched.
My old Nexus S never had any problems, and no protection. Never scratched. I guess this is why Steve Jobs hated pens.

ManicDVLN said:
Still doesn't change the fact that if you use S Pen, your screen will be scratched.
My old Nexus S never had any problems, and no protection. Never scratched. I guess this is why Steve Jobs hated pens.
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Click to collapse
Lol you miss the point I see. You could do the same scratching with your finger if the dirt/hard mineral gets under your finger. It could happen to any phone you just happened to be unlucky. I've been using the pen hardcore for almost 2 weeks now and the naked screen is immaculate. Clean the screen regularly and most people are just fine.
Edit: also just an fyi the ns had a softer screen than the note so the only reason why the note scratched versus the ns is the environment you keep it in and use it in.
Sent from one of my Galaxies

Wacom would never intentionally design a pen nib that would scratch (hardened) glass.
Basically, a harder than glass foreign object came between the pen nib and screen, therefore scratching it. That is why its standard practice in labs to use disposable cleaning tissues for cleaning microscope lenses - its far less likely to have foreign contaminants with disposables.
That is also why eye glasses and sun glasses tend to come with silk-like cleaning cloths as opposed to (superior) microfiber cloth. Silk is far less likely to "catch" and hold debris. So its less likely that you'll scratch anything after the second, third, and fourth uses.
This topic is a good warning, nonetheless. But its a bit misleading to blame the pen. The pen nib just opens the possibility of scratching. Its a (very) minute chance, but its higher than simply using your finger for using the screen.
tl dr:
Pen nib alone cannot scratch the screen.

This is complete nonsense and looks like bull****. I many times strongly press S Pen on screen. I like some "action" games for S Pen, like "Fruit Ninja: PiB" and move my S Pen across the screen like crazy. Never got any scratches.

anonymous572 said:
This is complete nonsense and looks like bull****. I many times strongly press S Pen on screen. I like some "action" games for S Pen, like "Fruit Ninja: PiB" and move my S Pen across the screen like crazy. Never got any scratches.
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I thought the same thing when other people had their screen scratched, I was like what did they do with it... and now I got a scratch and can't believe it's from normal usage. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent phone but gorilla glass for now is just a marketing gimmick.
Use protection guys.

ManicDVLN said:
I thought the same thing when other people had their screen scratched, I was like what did they do with it... and now I got a scratch and can't believe it's from normal usage. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent phone but gorilla glass for now is just a marketing gimmick.
Use protection guys.
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Click to collapse
Lol, this guys either trolling or just plain ignorant...
If gorilla glass were a gimmick, it wouldn't be used by the best names in phones, namely HTC and Samsung. It is much stronger and more scratch resistant than plain glass.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

i have used s pen to take notes almost every day for more than 5 months and no single scratch from the pen.
unfortunately i did get some scratches from my keys ( ;-( )

skyhigh2004 said:
Lol you miss the point I see. You could do the same scratching with your finger if the dirt/hard mineral gets under your finger. It could happen to any phone you just happened to be unlucky. I've been using the pen hardcore for almost 2 weeks now and the naked screen is immaculate. Clean the screen regularly and most people are just fine.
Edit: also just an fyi the ns had a softer screen than the note so the only reason why the note scratched versus the ns is the environment you keep it in and use it in.
Sent from one of my Galaxies
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hes not missing the point.. hes delivering it IMO.

I have a screen protector on my Gnote, the s-Pen scratches the hell out of it, In fact I had to replace it already because it had so many scratches.
I have too use the s-pen less and less because of this and it's frustrating. I contacted Samsung about this and the guy on the phone just kept saying they had a galaxy note there and the pen wasn't scratching the screen. Basically he couldn't get with the concept that mine could. Tried asking him if they would sort out a new pen, me thinking it's the pen that is at fault, but he was less than helpful in that regard.
Anyway, I can't really use the pen, I do but it does scratch the protector and I have to replace it after awhile. It come be a cheap screen protector, but I felt it was scratching the screen before hand as well.

Thor said:
I have a screen protector on my Gnote, the s-Pen scratches the hell out of it, In fact I had to replace it already because it had so many scratches.
I have too use the s-pen less and less because of this and it's frustrating. I contacted Samsung about this and the guy on the phone just kept saying they had a galaxy note there and the pen wasn't scratching the screen. Basically he couldn't get with the concept that mine could. Tried asking him if they would sort out a new pen, me thinking it's the pen that is at fault, but he was less than helpful in that regard.
Anyway, I can't really use the pen, I do but it does scratch the protector and I have to replace it after awhile. It come be a cheap screen protector, but I felt it was scratching the screen before hand as well.
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ur talking about scratching the screen protector but it does not scratch the actual screen.
One of the best screen protector i used was matinfields(http://www.martinfields.com/). I used that with sonyericsson P800 and p910. not a single scratch with lots of mucking around on the screen.

Yes, the s-pen can scratch the screen, if there is sand/dust/grain (insert mineral of choice) between the tip and the screen. But then, everything can scratch the screen in that situation ;-)
My Ipad (no flame-war, please) has a bunch of scratches as well, just due to that reason. Personally I still choose to use screen protectors for that very reason. After having tested a bunch of different makes, I always return to Invisible Shield.
Looks really ugly during the first weeks of use (the pen doesn't scratch the protector but leaves visible pressure marks, meaning that you can see what you wrote)
After several weeks of use, those pressure marks are distributed evenly over the entire screen area and no longer noticeable...

everyone relax, the op is just pointing out the s pen can scratch the screen and to be careful.
you have to use your own head with this, anything you use can is susceptible to wear and scratch.
just use your head and stick a screen protector on it if you want to keep the glass mint!!!! stop blaming samsung or the OP for blasting the s-pen, its no ones fault, its the real world!

sigh... the stupidity of some of the users in the Note sub- forum here is very much astounding....

oc_masta said:
everyone relax, the op is just pointing out the s pen can scratch the screen and to be careful.
you have to use your own head with this, anything you use can is susceptible to wear and scratch.
just use your head and stick a screen protector on it if you want to keep the glass mint!!!! stop blaming samsung or the OP for blasting the s-pen, its no ones fault, its the real world!
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Click to collapse
Except that its not the note or s pens fault the OP and others get dirt/foreign object under the pen and then blame someone else other then themselves when they scratch the screen. Its not the notes screen or the pens fault you can't keep the screen and pen clean people. The title of this thread is misleading.
Sent from one of my Galaxies

Sigh...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1358493
The pen won't scratch your screen, if there's dust on it, then the pen could push the dust into the screen and the dust might scratch it. Keep the screen and pen clean and it shouldn't be a problem.

Screen protector - useful?

So... screen protectors... are they actually any use?
Do they protect from scratches? Or do they just make your device harder to use because the screen loses sensitivity?
I'd be interested in people's opinions

I recommend using screen protectors because
- they prevent the glass from getting scratches. Sand scratches glass easily. Screen protector helps.
- they can reduce glare from screen. Glare is the reflection you see on the screen that makes it much harder to see what's on screen.
- they can be cleaned with lesser care... any slight wet cloth can clean screen
- they don't cause any loss of sensitivity
- you can start using the plastic nib for the spen as it lasts much longer than rubber nibs. And having a screen protector gives a much better experience with plastic tips for spen.
- they are damn cheap. Don't like them... no problem.. throw them
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk

I went all out & picked up an Invisishield at BB. Yes, it was about $30.00 (-minus 20% for Rewards club event) but is was worth it in my mind & I will be doind the same with my Nexus 10. I really like the frogz type protectors, but the Invishield is really starting to grow on me as they are nearly impossible to damage. I have had it gouged to hell & in a warm environment after a few hours it always "heals itself". It is a bit tacky feeling (tacky sticky, not tacky cheap), so it is a bit hard or weird to get used to at first, but then you learn to touch lightly & all is well. Like stated above, the plastic S-Pen tip is MUCH better for use with screen savers, especially this type, but the device works just as well with the S-Pen without any loss of sensitivity.

smrsxn said:
I recommend using screen protectors because
- they prevent the glass from getting scratches. Sand scratches glass easily. Screen protector helps.
- they can reduce glare from screen. Glare is the reflection you see on the screen that makes it much harder to see what's on screen.
- they can be cleaned with lesser care... any slight wet cloth can clean screen
- they don't cause any loss of sensitivity
- you can start using the plastic nib for the spen as it lasts much longer than rubber nibs. And having a screen protector gives a much better experience with plastic tips for spen.
- they are damn cheap. Don't like them... no problem.. throw them
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use a screen protector and frankly I don't see the need to.
The only advantage I see is the reduction in glare and even that depends on which screen protector you bought.
They DO cause a reduction in sensitivity, I have used a couple before on other devices (like my Note Phablet) and have thrown them all away.
A microfiber cloth cleans easily, and I use the plastic nib SPen HEAVILY and there are no scratches.
If you are paranoid though, then by all means. There are pretty cheap ones available

I always install a screen protector because it cuts down on finger prints. Last 3 have been Ghost Armour. They don't drag on your finger/S-Pen like the invisible shield or feel spongy. Also, clear like glass. And lifetime warranty.

All my gadgets have screen protectors. Better safe than sorry. Have protector on my note as well and no difference on using stylus at all. Smooth and write the same as without screen protector. I have anti glare kind and so easy to take care of finger prints as well. Overall I would highly recommend to get one.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda premium

There is a thread somewhere in here where the s pen is scratching the screen.
That made me buy one.

I always, always use screen protectors. Better sure than sorry right?

hamacting said:
So... screen protectors... are they actually any use?
Do they protect from scratches? Or do they just make your device harder to use because the screen loses sensitivity?
I'd be interested in people's opinions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So... Stupid questions... Are they actually any use?
There are about 1.000 similar questions in all mobile threads. So what do you think? Will a protective transparent cover protect your screen? What do you think? Please make an quess.
Sorry my friend for my reply but I tried to stop myself without any success.

Thank you for the intelligent replies to this thread.
It's good to see that lots of you find that they don't cause problems in using them; the last time I bought one I found that it did cause a loss of accuracy on the device I was using - but that was a few years ago and I am sure that the technology will have moved on.
regards,
/alan

Review for Carbon Fibre
Hi, I am getting a note 10.1 and want a carbon fibre blue ghost armour for it, would it affect the accuracy or will it scrape of what , thanks in advance!!!

The anti glare ones really degrade the screen vibrancy.
Sent using Tapatalk2 from my Note 10.1; the choice of Royalty

I recently applied the MinGuard Anti-Glare screen protector and my default stylus is acting strange. Don't know if it's the protector or the stylus. After installing the protector, I immediately changed to the white nib which glides better than the one.
But when clicking on buttons(not swiping) using the stylus, the tablet does not react sometimes. Takes several tries to successfully click on a button. It doesn't matter how hard I press, the angle in which I press, or how long I press. Now, when I use my finger to click on a button, it works as it should.
For instance, when I bring up the Task Manager and click with the stylus between Ram Manager and Active Appllications" the tablet does not react many times. Or even if I try to click the "X" to close the Task Manager, it takes many times to close. Or if I click the buttons in Snote to change my pen tip, it takes many times to bring it up. This issue doesn't occur all buttons.... I can click on the system buttons in the lower left no problem or app buttons.
Do you guys think the screen protector is the culprit? Or bad stylus? Thanks so much.

I THINK I found the issue. It was the magnets in my book cover. When I position the flap(which contains the magnets) out of the way, it works much better...but not perfect. so I think the protector takes away from stylus sensitivity a bit. Magnets effecting the stylus was discussed in this thread: S-Pen Inaccurate

I recieved this one yesterday that I got from Amazon:
amFilm (TM) Premium Screen Protector Film Clear (Invisible) for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1-Inch) and Galaxy Note 10.1 (2-Pack) [in AM retail packing]
It took me both supplied protectors to really apply what I consider almost perfect. I believe there are like 2-3 really small dust particles near the camera but I didn't want to risk ruining my 2nd attempt. I applied it last night. No issues at all with my pen or screen. Mine has the white tip on. I decided on this particular product because it's clear and had great reviews. Glad I chose this one and better safe than sorry for my screen, but to each their own.

i tried to put on a screen protector but then my s-pen didn't flow well !!!
which kind of screen protector do you recommend ?
thanks

cama-cama said:
i tried to put on a screen protector but then my s-pen didn't flow well !!!
which kind of screen protector do you recommend ?
thanks
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none

cama-cama said:
i tried to put on a screen protector but then my s-pen didn't flow well !!!
which kind of screen protector do you recommend ?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi cama-cama. Read my post above yours. I pasted the one I ordered off Amazon. It was easy to apply. I have had NO issues with my pen. I wrote this reply with my pen.

There really is no point in using a screen protector for this tablet. Just get a flip case, don't be stupid with your tablet, and bam, no scratches, ever.

l33t p1mp said:
Sand scratches our screens very easily. Sand is everywhere, and can collect anywhere. It's basically just quartz, and when it sticks to something and rubs the screen, it ruins it.
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You can be guaranteed to see micro scratches after a couple months without a screen protector. Your choice.

[Q] Screen Protectors: To protect or not to protect, that is the question.

Greetings all!
I'm interested in people's opinions and experiences for and against using a screen protector, particularly with regards to my expected usage patterns.
I plan to put my Note 8 in a book-cover style case (ie, a case with a protective cover that can be folded flat behind the case, such as, the official book cover, or this pic of the STM Skinny, for Note 10.1). I'm currently leaning towards the STM Cape (though I'm waiting to hear back from STM regarding several questions, such as confirmation that the case will indeed fold flat against the back). With most of these kinds of cases there is a soft type of inner lining that is intended to protect the device screen. And, if you fold the cover behind the back of the device you must be careful about where you lay the device as the soft inner lining can pick up dust, debris, etc. and then transmit those potentially abrasive items to the screen. As a side note, if anyone has come across a book style case that somehow avoids this problem I would be interested to hear about it!
I go back and forth about whether to bother with a screen protector or not. I am glad to know that there are good options if I do go with a screen protector (eg, the MiniGuard Screen Protector), but I do sometimes write with a heavy hand which I've read doesn't always work well with screen protectors (ie, it sounds like the protector can be a little spongy such that you can end up inadvertently digging into the screen protector a little, or at least experiencing an increased resistance).
But a part of me thinks that if I'm going to be trying to be careful about the surfaces I lay the opened Note on anyway (wherein the soft inner lining is being exposed to the table surface, etc.), then am I really gaining much/anything by adding a screen protector to the mix? To put it another way: Just because I add a screen protector, I'm not therefore going to be less careful about where I place the Note 8 because I'm still going to want to avoid the soft inner lining picking up debris.
And of course the case itself should protect the Note 8 while in transport (especially a case like the STM Cape which should be very secure at staying closed).
I guess an implied question with all this is just how vulnerable is the screen on the Note 8? And how important is a screen protector when you're already using a case?
Obviously this is a personal decision that I have to come to for myself, but I am interested in people's thoughts on the above from any who wish to share based on the experience and perceptions.
Thanks!

I get it for all my devices and I typically purchase the wet apply self healing skins/screen protectors. I like the texture of the skin and it typically doesn't get damaged regardless of what I clean my device with.
A word of warning, the S-Pen kinda "warps" the skin more than usual. It tends to have a tangerine or orange like texture more than usual.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using XDA Premium HD app

I used to get screen protectors for my phones and tablets. Then I realized, my phones are often in my pockets, sometimes with my keys, etc. So there is an actual risk of scratching. My tablets, however, are generally in some kind of case with a cover and the only time the screen is "exposed" is when I'm using it...and I don't have adamantium claws or anything, so the risk of scratching the screen is nearly non-existent for me. So I don't waste the money anymore. With regards to the Note lineup, I'm not sure how well the S-Pen works through a screen protector either...
So I wouldn't say I am "against" them as much as I don't really see a need...

The screen protector doesn't affect the s pen accuracy (at least I don't notice any difference)
I usually apply one of the anti-glare types to protect against stupid things (like if it the case flap opens and it hits something in my backpack) and also so make the screen a little less shiny (my office lights are annoying on reflective surfaces)
Most high end tablets and phones have gorilla glass or other hardened glass which is pretty scratch resistant but i still feel better throwing a layer of plastic on...

Bonisaur said:
I get it for all my devices and I typically purchase the wet apply self healing skins/screen protectors. I like the texture of the skin and it typically doesn't get damaged regardless of what I clean my device with.
A word of warning, the S-Pen kinda "warps" the skin more than usual. It tends to have a tangerine or orange like texture more than usual.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing details about the type of screen protector you use (including texture, etc.), as well as the S-Pen interaction. When you say "warps" do you mean that the skin of the screen protector is a little spongy and so it gives a little under the pressure of the S-Pen? Does that bother you, and how does it feel for writing, drawing, etc. then?
ExploreMN said:
My tablets, however, are generally in some kind of case with a cover and the only time the screen is "exposed" is when I'm using it...
So I wouldn't say I am "against" them as much as I don't really see a need...
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I appreciate knowing that you approach your tablets that way and that things have worked well for you (ie, no screen catastrophes due to lack of screen protector). And I like your distinction between phones vs tablets regarding the potentially different sources of trauma they can be subjected to (adamantium claws notwithstanding ).
kisaten said:
The screen protector doesn't affect the s pen accuracy (at least I don't notice any difference).
I usually apply one of the anti-glare types...
Most high end tablets and phones have gorilla glass or other hardened glass which is pretty scratch resistant but i still feel better throwing a layer of plastic on...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comment regarding S-Pen accuracy and for sharing your preferred screen protector type (eg, anti-glare). I also appreciate hearing your assessment of the glass in high end devices tending to be fairly durable (regardless of whether it is officially gorilla glass). Anti-glare is one of the things I have been considering. Does the anti-glare protector "dim" or "dull" the screen vibrancy (ie, colors, brightness, etc.) to a degree that bothers you?
Thanks for the great contributions thus far folks! These are exactly the kinds of comments, observations, etc. I was hoping for!

pluginalong said:
Thanks for the comment regarding S-Pen accuracy and for sharing your preferred screen protector type (eg, anti-glare). I also appreciate hearing your assessment of the glass in high end devices tending to be fairly durable (regardless of whether it is officially gorilla glass). Anti-glare is one of the things I have been considering. Does the anti-glare protector "dim" or "dull" the screen vibrancy (ie, colors, brightness, etc.) to a degree that bothers you?
Thanks for the great contributions thus far folks! These are exactly the kinds of comments, observations, etc. I was hoping for!
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Click to collapse
I've used "gloss antiglare" and "matte antiglare" ones --I live in Japan and there are a tons of different screen protectors. I found that with the Elecom branded ones, the gloss "anti-glare" wasn't really anti glare (still looked reflective), but the Matte ones are pretty good (very little reflection).
The Matte protectors take a little getting used to (as you'd expect glass to look shiny and suddenly it looks a little dull. <- It doesnt dull the vibrancy of the colors or brightness, it just looks like a different texture like printing a photo on regular paper vs glossy paper.)
I enjoy having it because it kills the reflection of my office lights which was the main purpose for me to buy it.
The s-pen interactions feel the same regardless of matte or gloss (very smooth <- I have the s-pen with the eraser and changable tips and both the rubber and hard tips feel fine)
I would imagine that with a wet apply (self healing) skin, the texture would change the s-pen experience (i have a wet apply protector on my NDS and the stylus feels different on it because it has some grip and texture <- Hover would be the same but once you touch the screen perhaps it wouldnt be as smooth <- Bonisaur, care to weight in?

If you are asking the question, its on your mind. So you might as well just put a protector on, and give yourself peace of mind.
Plenty of reports on various devices of even Gorilla Glass getting scratched from what the owners swear as "normal usage". So don't take for granted that GG or other treated glasses won't scratch.
I'll agree that tablets are usually not exposed to the same use and abuse as a phone. But on the HTC Flyer tablet, the pen alone was enough to scratch the screen. Yes, that device is 2 years old at this point. But certainly a "high end" device for its time. With the screen getting scratched from the pen that was intended to be used with it.
It largely comes down to personal preference. There are plenty that don't use a screen protector on tablets or phones. I don't question that choice at all, I can certainly understand the reasoning (better feel, mostly). But the fact of the matter is, that once you do scratch the screen, there is really not going back, and it can't really be undone. So if you choose to go without a protector, you better be prepared to live with the consequences, if the screen does get scratched. There are inevitable post by folks that regret not using a protector (even on devices with Gorilla Glass) after getting the screen scratched up.

pluginalong said:
Thanks for sharing details about the type of screen protector you use (including texture, etc.), as well as the S-Pen interaction. When you say "warps" do you mean that the skin of the screen protector is a little spongy and so it gives a little under the pressure of the S-Pen? Does that bother you, and how does it feel for writing, drawing, etc. then?
Thanks for the great contributions thus far folks! These are exactly the kinds of comments, observations, etc. I was hoping for!
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No problem! It has a slightly higher amount of push-pull to it. If you have a skin on any other device, I suggest you try "writing" over it. It has never once bothered me while I've taken notes for lecture or drew on Sketchbook. I can still use the S-Pen with pressure accuracy and without any hiccups. I.e. if I want to draw a straight line, it will be a straight line. When you hold the device at an angle though, you can see where the line is. It disappears over time as you just continue to draw over the skin or it just naturally heals. Like I said though, it has a very slight "tangerine" texture that is only visible if tilted at a certain angle or if there is a very intense glare. I only noticed it after reading a few reviews from Amazon.

kisaten said:
I've used "gloss antiglare" and "matte antiglare" ones --I live in Japan and there are a tons of different screen protectors. I found that with the Elecom branded ones, the gloss "anti-glare" wasn't really anti glare (still looked reflective), but the Matte ones are pretty good (very little reflection).
The Matte protectors take a little getting used to (as you'd expect glass to look shiny and suddenly it looks a little dull. <- It doesnt dull the vibrancy of the colors or brightness, it just looks like a different texture like printing a photo on regular paper vs glossy paper.)
I enjoy having it because it kills the reflection of my office lights which was the main purpose for me to buy it.
The s-pen interactions feel the same regardless of matte or gloss (very smooth <- I have the s-pen with the eraser and changable tips and both the rubber and hard tips feel fine)
I would imagine that with a wet apply (self healing) skin, the texture would change the s-pen experience (i have a wet apply protector on my NDS and the stylus feels different on it because it has some grip and texture <- Hover would be the same but once you touch the screen perhaps it wouldnt be as smooth <- Bonisaur, care to weight in?
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Thanks for all that very helpful info!
redpoint73 said:
If you are asking the question, its on your mind. So you might as well just put a protector on, and give yourself peace of mind.
Plenty of reports on various devices of even Gorilla Glass getting scratched from what the owners swear as "normal usage". So don't take for granted that GG or other treated glasses won't scratch.
I'll agree that tablets are usually not exposed to the same use and abuse as a phone. But on the HTC Flyer tablet, the pen alone was enough to scratch the screen. Yes, that device is 2 years old at this point. But certainly a "high end" device for its time. With the screen getting scratched from the pen that was intended to be used with it.
It largely comes down to personal preference. There are plenty that don't use a screen protector on tablets or phones. I don't question that choice at all, I can certainly understand the reasoning (better feel, mostly). But the fact of the matter is, that once you do scratch the screen, there is really not going back, and it can't really be undone. So if you choose to go without a protector, you better be prepared to live with the consequences, if the screen does get scratched. There are inevitable post by folks that regret not using a protector (even on devices with Gorilla Glass) after getting the screen scratched up.
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Very good points! And that is scary stuff regarding the HTC Flyer--I had not heard about that!
Bonisaur said:
No problem! It has a slightly higher amount of push-pull to it. If you have a skin on any other device, I suggest you try "writing" over it. It has never once bothered me while I've taken notes for lecture or drew on Sketchbook. I can still use the S-Pen with pressure accuracy and without any hiccups. I.e. if I want to draw a straight line, it will be a straight line. When you hold the device at an angle though, you can see where the line is. It disappears over time as you just continue to draw over the skin or it just naturally heals. Like I said though, it has a very slight "tangerine" texture that is only visible if tilted at a certain angle or if there is a very intense glare. I only noticed it after reading a few reviews from Amazon.
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Thanks--that is very helpful! I'm thinking then that for my preferences I'll probably lean more towards a dry apply (like the MiniGuard that's been reviewed here).

I'm using a cheap anti-glare matte screen protector from eBay with my Note 8. It doesn't affect the S Pen sensitivity the slightest and in fact makes it feel more like writing on paper. As a matte screen lover I have no complaints with it.

Screen protector for S Pen artists. Matte or Clear?

Hi,
I'm launching this question mainly to those who use the Note for drawing with the S Pen.
Before the Note I had an Acer Iconia A500 and I chose a Matte screen protector and I think it was a good decision for that tablet. I used it a lot for watching movies while in the underground, bus or train and the antireflectiveness of the matt finish helped a lot with dark scenes. also, it was a good antifingerprints solution. The drawback was the clarity of the image suffered a little but not very much so it was ok.
Galaxy Note is a totally different matter. I will still be using it for watching videos, of course, but I bought it mainly for drawing and painting.
Being a Wacom Intuos user for more than 15 years, I've always loved the feel of the finish of Intuos surfaces trying to imitate the feel of paper. The finish is matt and it wears with the years so you have to replace it from time to time but you can perfectly live with a very scratched surface for a long time. Of course, over a screen, it is a different matter.
So, I would like to hear the impressions of artist who are using or have used their S-Pen over Matte and Clear screen protectors. Does the S-Pen leave marks on matte surfaces? Does it move more naturally?

I've been holding off on a screen protector for the same reason( but I do have a case with a cover already). I mainly use my Note 10.1 for sketching and drawing.
One thing I will tell you is that some screen protectors, such as the Zagg protectors have a sticky feel to them. I have one on my S3, and I tried using my stylus on it and it adds to much grip to the surface. I think any screen protector that has anti-glare properties but is not matte will have this problem.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even on a standard Wacom tablet the drawing surface gets worn but you just don't notice it because it doesn't have light coming through it.
Also a matte surface will not only show more wear quicker but will also wear down the nib in the stylus faster.
The areas where you draw the most will become shinny, compared to the rest of the surface, from the constant friction.
Matte screen protectors also lower the contrast ratio. It lightens the black areas to be more dark grey.And they slightly distort the picture.
I would think it would feel similar to a Intous. Right now the bare screen is too slippery for my tastes.
Would love to hear from someone who has a matte screen protector and uses their tablet for drawing or painting, but I think one day I'll just break down and try it myself.
P.S. you might want to check out another post I had about my modded S-pen. I bought one with an eraser and modded it to make it easier to hold the button down and bigger so it's easier to hold for extended periods.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-note-8-0/278396-s-pen-alternative.html

jedikalimero said:
Hi,
I'm launching this question mainly to those who use the Note for drawing with the S Pen.
Before the Note I had an Acer Iconia A500 and I chose a Matte screen protector and I think it was a good decision for that tablet. I used it a lot for watching movies while in the underground, bus or train and the antireflectiveness of the matt finish helped a lot with dark scenes. also, it was a good antifingerprints solution. The drawback was the clarity of the image suffered a little but not very much so it was ok.
Galaxy Note is a totally different matter. I will still be using it for watching videos, of course, but I bought it mainly for drawing and painting.
Being a Wacom Intuos user for more than 15 years, I've always loved the feel of the finish of Intuos surfaces trying to imitate the feel of paper. The finish is matt and it wears with the years so you have to replace it from time to time but you can perfectly live with a very scratched surface for a long time. Of course, over a screen, it is a different matter.
So, I would like to hear the impressions of artist who are using or have used their S-Pen over Matte and Clear screen protectors. Does the S-Pen leave marks on matte surfaces? Does it move more naturally?
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I have been using the clear screen protector and so far I like it. At first it didn't feel as smooth as without the screen protector so then I put the white touch leads included with the s-pen and it now feels smooth. I think Samsung included the white s-pen leads to use specifically with screen protectors. I haven't tried it on the matte screen protector but I think it will work fine.

smdexin said:
I have been using the clear screen protector and so far I like it. At first it didn't feel as smooth as without the screen protector so then I put the white touch leads included with the s-pen and it now feels smooth. I think Samsung included the white s-pen leads to use specifically with screen protectors. I haven't tried it on the matte screen protector but I think it will work fine.
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Do you mean the leads that are fully made of hard plastic, not the ones made of plastic and rubber?

jedikalimero said:
Do you mean the leads that are fully made of hard plastic, not the ones made of plastic and rubber?
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Yes those ones!