Jiří Filip Few things hurt more than the first scratch on the display or body of a new smartphone - even more so when it is a phone with a higher price such as an iPhone. This is exactly why many of us use tempered glass for the display and all kinds of covers covering the rest of the phone for protection. But how to choose quality pieces that won't burn you? It's simple - you just need to reach for products from long-proven brands that specialize in protecting smartphones. One of them is the Danish PanzerGlass, which comes out with new glasses and covers every year, and this year was no exception in this regard. And since he sent us a whole load of them to the editorial office for the new "thirteen" this time, let's get right into our "multi-review".
Packaging that pleases
For many years, PanzerGlass has relied on a uniform packaging design for its glasses and covers, which has become almost iconic for the brand. I am referring specifically to matte black-orange paper boxes with a glossy image of the product in them and a fabric "tag" with the company's logo, which was used to slide out the inner "drawer" with all the contents of the package. This year, however, PanzerGlass did it differently – much more ecologically. The boxes of its accessories may not look so nice at first glance, but they are made of recycled paper and therefore do not burden the planet, which is nice. After all, everyone throws them away after unpacking their contents anyway, so it doesn't have to be a design blockbuster. Moreover, their quality is really good and that is the most important thing in the end. PanzerGlass definitely deserves a thumbs up for this completely sufficient and above all greener upgrade.
Testing
Three types of glass for the iPhone 13 arrived at the editorial office, as well as a SilverBulletCase cover together with a ClearCase in an edition celebrating the iconic G3 iMacs playing with colors. As for the glass, it is specifically the classic Edge-to-Edge glass without additional protection and then glass with an anti-reflective layer. So what are the products?
ClearCase covers
Although he has had ClearCase PanzerGlass covers in his portfolio since 2018, when he released them on the occasion of the presentation of the iPhone XS, the truth is that he dared to do a bigger design experiment with them only this year. The covers, which from the very beginning have a solid back made of tempered glass, have finally been equipped with TPU frames in versions other than black and transparent. We are specifically talking about red, purple, orange, blue and green - i.e. the colors used by Apple for its iconic G3 iMacs, to which the covers from PanzerGlass are supposed to refer.
If you are interested in the technical specifications of the covers, they are actually no different from the models from previous years. So you can count on the back made of 0,7 mm PanzerGlass tempered glass, which the company uses (although of course in different modifications) also as a cover glass for the display of smartphones, thanks to which you can rely on its high resistance against cracking, scratching or any other deformations. In the case of iPhones 12 and 13, it is a matter of course that the MagSafe port is not affected, which means that it can be used even when the cover is attached without any additional magnets. With the glass back, the oleophobic layer, which eliminates the capture of fingerprints or various smudges on the display, is also pleasing, along with the antibacterial layer, but there is probably no point in dissecting its effectiveness and durability too much, because yes, PanzerGlass itself does not provide any additional information about it on its website. As for the TPU, it is equipped with an Anti-Yellow coating, which should prevent yellowing. From my own experience, I must say that it does not work 100% and the clear ClearCase will turn yellow over time, but the yellowing is much slower than with standard TPU covers that are not protected by anything. If you then go for the colored version, you don't have to deal with yellowing at all.
The red ClearCase, which I tested together with the pink iPhone 13, arrived at our editorial office. It probably won't surprise you that in terms of design, it was a really good combination that will please the ladies in particular. As such, the cover fits perfectly on the phone and because it surrounds it perfectly, despite the relatively wide TPU edges, it does not significantly increase its size. Sure, it will gain a few millimeters on the edges, but it's nothing dramatic. However, what needs to be reckoned with is the relatively large overlap of the TPU frame over the back of the phone, which is there to protect the camera. The cover as such does not have a separate protective ring for the relatively prominently protruding lenses, but its protection is solved through a raised edge copying the entire body of the phone, thanks to which, when it is placed on the back, it does not rest on the individual lenses, but on the flexible TPU. I admit that at first this edge can be quite unusual and possibly even a bit unpleasant. However, as soon as a person gets used to it and "feels it", he begins to take it more positively, because it can be used, for example, for a firmer grip on the phone as such. In addition, I personally prefer a stable phone on my back than if it had to wobble around the camera due to the protective ring.
As for the durability of the cover, there's honestly not much to complain about. I tested it using the best test I know for similar products, which is normal life - that is, for example, together with keys and small change in a bag and so on, with the fact that in about two weeks of testing, not even a scratch appeared on the glass back, and the TPU frames are of course also completely undamaged. As a positive, I must highlight the fact that no dirt gets under the cover and that - at least for me personally - it is very pleasant to hold in the hand thanks to the shiny back. So, if you're looking for a rather elegant cover that doesn't spoil the design of your iPhone and at the same time can protect it solidly, this is definitely the way to go.
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SilverBulletCase covers
Another "shaving master" from the PanzerGlass workshop was the SilverBulletCase. From the name itself, it is probably clear to most of you that this is no joke, but a real tough guy who will give your iPhone maximum protection. And so it is - according to PanzerGlass, the SilverBulletCase is the most durable cover it has produced so far and therefore the best protection that can now be given from its phone workshop. Although I'm not big on such advertising phrases, I'll admit that I simply have to believe them. After all, when I saw the cover live for the first time, took it out of the box and put it on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, there were doubts about the authenticity of the passwords. The cover has a whole range of elements that increase its durability (and thus the potential protection of the phone). You can start, for example, with the black TPU frame, which meets the MIL-STD military standard of resistance, even two to three times. The inside of the frame is "decorated" by a system of honeycombs, which should eliminate very well absorb shocks in the event of a potential fall, which I can confirm from my own experience. This feature has been used by PanzerGlass for a long time, and although I have dropped my phone in the honeycomb case countless times in the past, it has always escaped unscathed (although, of course, luck always plays a part in falls). As for the other specifications, they already match ClearCase de facto. Here, too, relatively thick tempered glass or an oleophobic layer is used, and here you can count on MagSafe support or wireless charging.
Although the SilverBulletCase may look like an absolute monster from the previous lines, I have to say that it looks relatively inconspicuous on the phone. Of course, compared to the classic ClearCase, it is more distinctive, as it does not have such smooth TPU edges and also has a protective surface around the camera, but compared to other highly resistant protective covers, for example in the form of UAG, I would not be afraid to call it elegant. However, it must be taken into account that, in addition to the more expressive design, durability also takes its toll on the dimensions of phones with a cover, which swell a bit more after all. Although the TPU frames are not extremely thick, they add a few millimeters to the phone, which can be relatively problematic for the 13 Pro Max model. During testing, I wasn't really thrilled at first with the stiffness of the frame and its overall plasticity, which is why it doesn't feel as pleasant in the hand as the classic soft TPU from ClearCase packaging, and it doesn't stick to the hand as well either. You do get used to it after some time, but you don't have to get a firm grip even after getting used to it because of the harder frames.
On the other hand, I have to say that the overall protection of the phone is completely different from the classic ClearCase thanks to the wide frames equipped with various notches and protrusions in the most risky places for damage, and therefore it is already clear that the SilverBulletCase definitely has its place in the PanzerGlass offer. For example, I'm going to take it to the mountains in the near future, because I'm sure that it will withstand much more than the classic ClearCase and that I will therefore be calmer thanks to it. It is probably unnecessary to mention that the SilverBulletCase also passed the test of classic life with keys and coins for a good two weeks without a single scratch, given its overall nature. So if you are looking for a really durable piece with a nice design, here is a super adept. However, if you are more into minimalism, this model does not make sense.
SilverBulletCase covers can be purchased for all iPhone 13 (Pro) models for a price of CZK 899.
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Protective glasses
As I wrote above, in addition to the covers, I also tested two types of glass - namely an Edge-to-Edge model without any extra gadgets and an Edge-to-Edge model with an anti-reflective coating. In both cases, the glasses have a thickness of 0,4 mm, thanks to which they are almost invisible after application to the display, a hardness of 9H and, of course, an oleophobic and antibacterial layer. But it's also nice that PanzerGlass offers a two-year warranty for any problems with the adhesive layer, the functionality of the sensors or impaired response to touch controls.
The application of glasses is essentially very simple. All you have to do is clean the display properly, ideally using a damp napkin and a cloth that PanzerGlass includes in the package, and then quickly place the glass on the display after removing the protective films and press it after "adjustment". I say "until after adjustment" on purpose - the adhesive does not start working immediately after you place the glass on the display, and you have time to adjust the glass exactly as needed. So you shouldn't find yourself gluing the glass crookedly. However, I strongly recommend doing everything as quickly as possible, because miniature specks of dust like to get caught on the adhesive layer, which can then be seen after sticking the glass to the display.
We'll stay with gluing, or rather glue, for a while longer. Subjectively, it seems to me that PanzerGlass has worked incredibly hard on it over the last few years and somehow miraculously managed to "accelerate" it in terms of capturing it on the display. While in previous years I was not able to eliminate the bubbles by simply holding my finger on them and they would dissolve under pressure and the glass would "catch" on the problematic place, this year this is possible without any problem and what's more - I was also able to "massage" a few specks of dust into the glue, which would otherwise create bubbles. So I definitely see an intergenerational shift here, and I'm glad for it.
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However, in order not to praise, I have to criticize PanzerGlass a little for the size of its glasses in its Edge-to-Edge models. It seems to me that they are not quite close to the edges and they could use a good half millimeter on each side to protect the front of the phone even better. Someone will probably object now that stretching the glass could cause a problem with the compatibility of the covers, but PanzerGlass is a beautiful proof that this should not be the case, since solid gaps are visible between the edge of its covers and the edge of the glasses, which would could easily fill the glass. So I would definitely not be afraid to push myself here, and for next year I am advocating for a similar upgrade. On the one hand, the protection would jump higher, and on the other hand, the glass would merge even more with the phone's display.
While the standard Edge-to-edge has a standard glossy surface and therefore looks de facto like the display itself after sticking to the display, the model with an anti-reflective layer has a much more interesting surface. Its surface is slightly matte, thanks to which it perfectly eliminates all reflections and thus improves the overall controllability of the phone. Subjectively, I have to say that thanks to the elimination of glare, the phone's display is overall a bit more plastic and the colors are more pleasing, which is definitely great. On the other hand, you have to take into account that controlling the matte display will seem like a big habit at first, because the finger simply doesn't slide as smoothly on it as on glossy displays. However, once a person gets used to a slightly different movement of the finger, I think that there is no reason to complain. The display capabilities of the display with anti-reflective glass are really very good and the phone takes on a whole new dimension thanks to it. In addition, the layer is not extremely matte, so when the display is off, the phone with this type of glass looks almost the same as models with classic protective glasses. The icing on the cake is its durability - the usual hardships of handbags and bags, again in the form of keys and the like, will not damage it. Even after several weeks of testing, it is still as good as new. But I have to say the same about standard glossy glass, which goes through the same hardships and handles them all equally well.
PanzerGlass tempered glass is available for all iPhone 13 (Pro) at a price of CZK 899.
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Summary in a Nutshell
I'm not going to lie to you, I've really liked PanzerGlass protective glasses and covers for years, and I'm not going to reconsider my opinion of them this year either. Everything that arrived at our editorial office was really worth it and I must say that it exceeded expectations in many respects. I mean, for example, the use of (apparently) better glue, which adheres to the display very quickly even if you manage to "catch" some small speck under the glass during gluing, or high scratch resistance. Of course, some elements of the covers or glasses may not be to your liking, and the price is not the lowest either. But I have to say from my own experience that it is worth paying extra for these smartphone accessories, because they are better quality than the Chinese versions from AliExpress for a dollar, or rather they have always held up better than the Chinese ones for caroms. This is precisely why PanzerGlass has been used for a long time not only by me, but also by my immediate surroundings, and after testing this year's models of glasses and covers, I have to say that this will be the case at least until next year, when I will be able to touch the new model line again. And I think that's why you should give him a chance too, because he simply won't let you down.
well overpriced :D … I would never pay that much for a screen protector
I bought it for 256 CZK :)
It seems to me that it's a bit overpriced, at least for the glasses.. and even though I understand that it's unnecessary to spend on the protection of the devices for such a phone for x thousand, but I think that the glasses will do the same work and quality, even if they come from different selected manufacturers, so I still think that that's even with covers.. thanks to the Czech Republic, prices are always overpriced for everything
Do you have a comparison with the original Apple cover please? Thank you