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ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme iPhone 5 Screen Protector Review

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The ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme iPhone 5 screen protector is a new screen protector that prevents iPhone 5 screen scratches and offers added protection from drops and damage thanks to added shock resistance.

I’ve yet to shoot my iPhone 5 with an arrow, throw it on a bed of nails or hit it with a hammer, but ZAGG’s promotional video for the InvisibleSHIELD Extreme claims this screen protector can handle the abuse, and may be able to prevent a broken screen if the iPhone 5 drops or knocks into something.

Read: 5 Ways to Protect the Back of the iPhone 5

ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme iPhone 5 Screen Protector Review - 4

ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme iPhone 5 Screen Protector.

ZAGG sent over the case friendly InvisibleSHIELD Extreme for the iPhone 5 to review. I don’t normally use screen protectors because I’m a bit OCD about imperfections on the screen that remain with most screen protectors.

The ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme sent over is the case friendly option which doesn’t touch the edges of the  iPhone 5 so cases can grip the iPhone 5 without trouble. ZAGG offers full front protection as well as front and back protection.

InvisibleSHIELD Extreme Installation

Installing the ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme iPhone 5 screen protector was straightforward and simple. This is a wet install process, so the screen protector is sprayed with a slick liquid that allows for some re-positioning on the iPhone.

I sprayed both sides of the screen protector and applied it to the iPhone 5, moving it slightly to line up with the home button and speaker at the top of the iPhone. Unfortunately I sprayed the adhesive side and then the front, leaving behind cloudy areas on the display, but all was not lost.

I recommend spraying the front of the screen protector, then peeling it off and spraying the back adhesive side to avoid contact with the back.

I used the included squeegee to remove air bubbles from the screen protector. In all, the install process took about 5 minutes. The hardest part is leaving the iPhone 5 turned off for 12 to 24 hours. I installed the screen protector in the early evening and left it turned off until the next morning.

ZAGG InvisibleShield Extreme Cloudy - Early

ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme one day after installation, still cloudy.

As the photo above shows, my installation was far from perfect, leaving behind large cloudy areas, but the InvisibleSHIELD Extreme screen protector is very forgiving thanks to “self-healing qualities.”

Self Healing

During the installation process the ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme touched my thumb and part of my palm leaving behind cloudy areas that drove me nuts. ZAGG claims bubbles or cloudy areas will disappear in two to three days.

After three days I was worried I touched the InvisibleSHIELD too much, as I still saw imperfections on the screen and on the lower edge of the iPhone 5 front.

ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme iPhone 5 Screen Protector Review - 5

After a week blemishes are gone.

Much to my surprise, the InvisibleSHIELD Extreme continued to heal itself and after a week, there are no bubbles or cloudiness on the display.

There are no issues on the actual screen, which is impressive given my first time installation. There are two small issues, one near the home button and one near the top edge. At the top of the iPhone there is a small spot where there appears to be less adhesive or some other anomaly.

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Small issues, like this white elipse are present, but easier to ignore.

The more noticeable issue is next to the home button where one corner is white, which makes me worry it will peel up over time.

ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme In Use

After using the ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme screen protector on the iPhone 5 for a week it’s definitely one of the best screen protectors I’ve used. I typically avoid using screen protectors on my gadgets to keep the same touch experience found when I take it out of the box.

ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme iPhone 5 Screen Protector Review - 6

The InvisibleSHIELD Extreme adds 0.2mm of thickness to protect the iPhone 5.

Given the thicker nature of this screen protector I was worried it would change the way the screen feels and interfere with the touch experience, but I remain pleasantly surprised.

While I can tell there is a screen protector on my iPhone 5 while touching the display, it still delivers a smooth touch experience. I expected more resistance from a 0.2mm thick film that promises to protect against breakage, but it’s almost as if there is no protector in place.

Recommendation

Users looking for minimalist iPhone 5 protection should consider the ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme. The case friendly version sells for $29.99, as does the full front coverage. The full body protection sells for $49.99.

ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme iPhone 5 Screen Protector Review - 1

The ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme iPhone 5 Screen protector is a good deal.

I don’t typically enjoy using screen protectors, but ZAGG’s ability to deliver a screen protector I can install, even if I screw it up, and the added protection from drops means I’ll be keeping the InvisibleSHIELD Extreme on for a while.

Read: Best iPhone 5 Cases

ZAGG includes a lifetime warranty for the InvisibleSHIELD, offering replacements if the protector is damaged. This doe snot cover the device itself. There’s also a 45 day money back guarantee. ZAGG also offers the InvisibleSHIELD Extreme for other iPhone models.

17 Comments

17 Comments

  1. Guy

    10/02/2012 at 1:36 pm

    Doe snot

  2. domsmom

    10/02/2012 at 5:02 pm

    Does the extreme have the “orange peel” look?

    • Steve1010

      12/23/2012 at 9:31 am

      Very smooth. Spray your fingers first before touching anything. Make sure no dust on your glass, spray a little solution on it then spray on an adhesive side of the film. Next adjust to fit, then spray a little solution on a film then squeeze off the excessive solution. Take 24 to 48 hours to dry. Don’t worry about the left over bubbles. They will evaporate in a few days.

      • Steve1010

        12/23/2012 at 9:33 am

        Make sure you wash your hands real good before working on the Zagg

  3. andymicheal

    10/03/2012 at 4:23 am

    Thank you for these information
    the iPhone 5 is a marvel of engineering. The screen is bigger than the previous iphone .It’s about 4 inches and has higher-capacity battery and 4G LTE. It weighs 4 ounces and measures 0.3 inches. The iPhone 5 the thinnest Smartphone on the planet, lighter than the iPhone 4S.
    So that you need to get Andy Micheal or case from any online gadget accessorize.
    Best Regards
    Andy Micheal

  4. andymicheal

    10/03/2012 at 4:26 am

    Thank you for these information
    the iPhone 5 is a marvel of engineering. The screen is bigger than the previous iphone .It’s about 4 inches and has higher-capacity battery and 4G LTE. It weighs 4 ounces and measures 0.3 inches. The iPhone 5 the thinnest Smartphone on the planet, lighter than the iPhone 4S.
    So that you need to get iphone 5 cover or case from any online gadget accessorize.
    Best Regards
    Andy Micheal

  5. Bachsau

    10/04/2012 at 3:44 pm

    Looks terrible and doesn’t fit the whole display.

    And you can feel there’s a screen protector? I don’t know what other bad protectors you may have tested, but good protextors can’t be felt and barely seen.

    • Steve1010

      12/23/2012 at 9:36 am

      That’s why they call it “case friendly”.

  6. Mark

    10/11/2012 at 9:53 pm

    Is this the case-friendly version? Do you think the full front coverage screen protector would interfere with an Incase snap case?

  7. Meghan

    10/13/2012 at 8:52 pm

    I have an iPhone 4S, galaxy note, galaxy s3, galaxy skyrocket, 3rd gen ipad and a galaxy tab (I only use 2 SIMs on a daily basis but I like variety). All of my gadgets have invisible shield protectors on them except for my tab. I have had many more devices in the last 4 years and when available I’ve always bought Zagg shields. My career allows me to test many devices and accessories and I can confidently say that in the world of screen protectors- Zagg is king. There is only one catch- don’t buy the wet install products. This is common sense. Zagg won’t pay for or replace your phone if you mess up and trip one of your liquid damage indicators. So, buy the dry install and watch the install video at least once before attempting on your own. I’m surprised you didn’t even mention this in your review. I suppose some of us who get so many free items don’t need to worry about paying to replace an otherwise very expensive device.

  8. jim

    10/16/2012 at 10:21 am

    I am using the iPhone 5 Anti-Glare/Anti Fingerprint Screen Protector, that uses a high-grade, clear coated film. Pretty good !
    https://www.prezzydeal.com/iphone-5-anti-glare-screen-protector.html

  9. Ron Morgan

    11/10/2012 at 3:05 pm

    What happens to the shield
    if your iPhone needs to be repaired?

    • Steve1010

      12/23/2012 at 9:40 am

      Peel it off and ask for a replacement. Just pay for the shipping and return the old one back to Zagg.

  10. andrew

    12/13/2012 at 3:36 pm

    Horrible product…horrible “service” don’t waste your money on this crap!!

    • JD

      12/27/2012 at 7:27 pm

      I have used Zagg products for years and never had an issue with their service. If I screw up the protection, they give me a new one for free. Shipment is fast and free, only a postage stamp to send the old one back.

  11. djvdhoven

    01/16/2013 at 10:42 am

    Zagg has the worst service ever. They don’t admit sending me the wrong goods, then don’t compensate for shipping costs to return these goods and only refund a month after receiving the returned goods and then only after I reminded them the goods were in their possession a long time. But the worst is that they just ignore me pointing this out to them and don’t respond in any way to the fact they made a mistake.

    • djkiller

      06/14/2013 at 1:26 pm

      Go to an Invisible shield stand and have them put it on. Hassle-Free

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