Are iPhone Camera Lens Protectors WORTH IT?

Should you get a set of camera lens protectors? Short answer is no.

Your camera lenses are MUCH tougher than you think.

Long answer is maybe, if you like going commando with your iPhone.

Honestly, camera lens protectors would be the equivalent of putting on a bullet proof vest on everyday because you’re afraid of getting shot. Everyday. Which isn't going to be the case unless you're in an active warzone or are a first responder.

BUT this comparison is unfair to Bullet proof vests because I’m implying that camera lense screen protectors offer substantial protection to your camera lens.

They don’t.

Now if my clever analogies weren’t enough, here’s 4 reasons why you don’t need them.

1. The len’s on your camera are INCREDIBLY scratch resistant.
2. The len’s on your camera are QUITE impact resistant
3. Your iPhone case is going to offer all the protection you’ll need
4. Your photos are going to look worse with them on

The best one I've seen so far, is going to be the Spigen Camera lens protector. Maybe.
Amazon US: https://mreh.ca/3dSxpah
Amazon CA: https://mreh.ca/2TcSHaz
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Amazon DE: https://mreh.ca/2zHfQ

At MREH, Monty and I base our videos on actual usage. In the last while, I’ve gotten lots of questions regarding the best camera lens protector and my answer is always the same, you don’t need it.

Also, it’s a dumb product class. BUT personal feelings aside...

Reason #1 why you don’t need one - The camera lens is already VERY scratch resistant

If you’re afraid of your camera lens getting scratched, know that the glass on your iPhone is either sapphire or a variant of sapphire which means it has a hardness of 9 on the MOH’s scale. Not the pencil/graphite scale that every screen protector company uses.

Don’t believe me? On this iPhone, I have a Zagg Glass Elite. This is Zagg’s toughest, double tempered screen protector. It scratches when I use a pic with the hardness of 7.

On the camera lens? Bagel. In fact, I can use the 9 pic and nothing happens. If I use the 9 pic on the Zagg, well, that’s terrible.

On this iPhone 11 Pro Max, I have Zagg’s camera lens protectors. Watch how easily the tiny lenses scratches. That scratch is going to make for some great photos isn’t it.

Reason #2 - The camera lens most likely isn’t going to shatter

Sapphire has amazing scratch resistant and above average impact resistance. I’ve reviewed one of the few sapphire screen protectors available for the iPHone 11’s, the Shellrus Sapphire X and nothing I had could scratch it BUT it breaks at 80 cm’s when Bertha, my 200g steel ball is dropped on it.

The best glass breaks at 108 cm, decent glass between 80-95cm, normal tempered glass between 50-80 and anything below 50 is going to cost you a few bucks and come in a brown box.

Now the chances that you’ll drop your iPHone in a manner that one of these tiny glass lenses cracks because of it is very, very low. I’ve dropped dozens of iPhone’s over the years and I have NEVER broken a camera lens. I’ve had cameras go fuzzy, I’ve had cameras not work BUT I’ve never had a broken camera lens.

Reason #3 - Your case is most likely going to offer all the protection your lenses need.

Most cases have a protruding lip around the camera lens. That keeps the lenses off a flat surface. And if it doesn’t have a lip, there’s a good chance that the case itself is thick enough that it will keep the camera lens’ from sliding on whatever surface you’re keeping your iPhone on.

Reason #4 - Your Photos are going to suffer a bit

Now most screen protectors tout the fact that they have a clarity value in the low 90’s. They want you to think that their glass isn’t going to have an effect on the iPhone clarity BUT screen protectors are made from 5-6 different layers. There’s glue, a film, more glue, the actual glass and coatings.

BUT here’s what 93% clarity looks like on the iPad. See the difference? It is noticeable. Now imagine what would happen to your photos. Now there’s a good chance you won’t notice that degradation in your photos BUT it’s still happening.

So those are the 4 reasons why you DON’T need a camera lens protector!
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