iPhone 17 Glare Reduction Undermined by Screen Protectors

Apple's latest iPhone 17 series features an upgraded Ceramic Shield 2 display designed to reduce glare and enhance visibility in bright conditions, but new testing reveals that common screen protectors can undermine this improvement. The issue, highlighted in recent evaluations, affects users who apply standard tempered glass protectors shortly after purchasing the devices.

Ceramic Shield 2, introduced across the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air models, incorporates an antireflective coating that Apple says cuts reflections by approximately 50 percent compared to the iPhone 16 series. This advancement aims to make screens clearer for tasks like reading messages in sunlight or navigating maps outdoors. Apple also claims the material offers three times better scratch resistance than previous versions, potentially reducing the need for additional protection.

However, testing conducted by Astropad, a company that produces screen accessories, shows that applying a typical screen protector without its own antireflective properties eliminates the benefits of the new coating. The evaluations, which used a light meter to measure reflectivity under controlled...