Outfit your new Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra with an advanced screen protector to keep it safe and ensure consistent camera and fingerprint reader use.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the best Android phones out there, with a sleek design, high screen-to-body ratio, and powerful hardware. To keep the screen safe from scratches and cracks, you'll need an effective screen protector that works with the display's slight curvature.
Tempered glass is the most popular screen protector material, but it doesn't always work well with curved screens. Even a fraction of a millimeter's difference in dimensions or installation makes a glass screen protector especially easy to break. In fact, many well-known manufacturers have opted to avoid releasing glass models and are instead focused on flexible materials such as TPU for the S22 Ultra. We've only highlighted a few all-glass models in a bid for quality over quantity. The recommended glass models are all from manufacturers you can trust to deliver a precision-engineered product.
Another important consideration is the in-display fingerprint reader. To ensure it works consistently over the long term, a screen protector should use premium adhesive. The best adhesives to accommodate the S22's hardware use UV curing, but some effective options use traditional glue.
The Whitestone Dome Glass is one of a few all-glass screen protectors recommended for the S22 Ultra due, in part, to its manufacturer's pristine reputation. It uses a UV-cured adhesive and liquid dispersion system that promises to work right the first time with no wrinkles or bubbles. Also helping with installation is the firm, precise frame that securely guides the glass layer into place. Because of the stronger seal, you don't have to suffer any material changes over the fingerprint sensor, which looks like a bubble in the middle of your screen. This type of screen protector installation can seem daunting, but this kit comes with two screen protectors so that if you mess up the first time — or break the first one in the line of duty — you have a spare.
Not only is the ArmorSuit MilitaryShield one of the most affordable screen protectors, it's also one of the longest-lasting because its flexible material won't crack like glass. It's also a great option for people who use their phone without a case, as there's less bulk and a lower chance that it starts to come unstuck through regular use. In the unlikely event that it does get scratched, it's formulated to make shallow markings disappear and thus repair itself over time. It heavily resists yellowing and shouldn't ever get cloudy. The only real drawback is that it just doesn't have the same premium feel as a high-end tempered glass screen protector.
Like Whitestone Dome Glass, MOWEI's tempered glass screen protector uses a UV-cured liquid installation system to achieve a better seal and more consistent performance with the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. MOWEI lacks the same rock-solid reputation and name-brand recognition, but it comes with three screen protectors and a unique anti-overflow tray. In addition, it claims to keep excess adhesive from creeping over the edges and into your phone's buttons, speakers, or ports, which is usually the most significant threat when using this method.
The polyurethane resin adhesive here has a more pungent smell than Whitestone Dome Glass, but once set properly, the smell dissipates. MOWEI suggests setting the resin with the UV light for 8-10 minutes. While some have experienced fingerprint woes due to too much adhesive over the fingerprint sensor, the manufacturer recommends placing 2-3 coins over the fingerprint sensor to gently shift the adhesive to spread out more without forcing it out the sides.
While the InvisibleShield Fusion Defense is not made of glass, it sure does feel like it. And even though it's firm and smooth like glass, it's flexible enough to stay in one piece for years while strongly resisting scratches. There's a lot to like about this particular screen protector, such as the fact that it promises to work perfectly with swiping, gestures, and fingerprint entry. However, it's remarkably expensive, and a bit too wide for some thicker cases.
The AACL Tempered Glass screen protector is a great example of a glass model that doesn't cost a fortune. Aside from its high strength and hardness, it includes an alignment frame for perfect placement and a nonslip mat to ensure nothing moves around during the process. At only 0.26mm, it's as thin as tempered glass screen protectors get before they get too brittle. There are a couple of issues with it, though, the main one being the lack of a teardrop cutout over the selfie camera. This can reduce the quality of the front-facing camera. Another minor issue is there's a visible circle over the fingerprint sensor, a "bubble" that's actually hybrid material to try and make it more compatible.
Nearly everything from Otterbox gets high marks, and the Alpha Flex screen protector is no exception. It's about as thin as a flexible TPU-blended layer can get while still offering impressive protection from drops and scratches, and maintaining the device's great touch response. One novel feature that stands out is the integrated blue light filter, which may help to reduce eye strain, especially at night. Of course, not everyone wants to alter their smartphone's color profile, and not everyone wants to shell out quite this much cash for a layer of flexible, high-tech plastic.
If you're aiming for the best in smartphone protection, Spartan cases are worth a look. This great S22 Ultra case one comes with an integrated screen protector that offers superior protection because of the case's structural support. As case go, it's very well-made, with a kickstand on the back and support for wireless charging. It's not cheap, but it's a good deal considering what's included. On the other hand, it's not ideal for minimalists because it's thicker than many other cases, and the screen protector definitely doesn't have the smooth, high-quality feel of glass.
There aren't quite as many recommendations for Galaxy S22 Ultra screen protectors as there are for screen protectors on other phones, but we're confident that one of the recommended models should satisfy your needs. The ArmorSuit MilitaryShield and Otterbox Alpha Flex are as simple as they get, offering ample protection without the uncertainty of yet more breakable glass attached to your curved screen. The Otterbox uses slightly more high-end materials but also costs a lot more.
For tempered glass, there are a lot of pitfalls to consider alongside that extra impact resistance. Will it have a bubble over the fingerprint sensor like the AACL? How much of a gap is there for your Galaxy S22 Ultra cases, especially for heavy-duty cases with thicker bezels? Our Editor's Choice, the Whitestone Dome Glass, uses UV curing to form a better seal and avoid the fingerprint bubble the AACL has.
Both Whitestone Dome and MOWEI use liquid adhesives that you pour onto the screen before setting your glass with a UV light kit — the same way you'd set acrylic nails/polish at a salon. This cured adhesive creates a stronger bond with fewer chances of the screen protector peeling up at the edges the way traditional adhesive-backed screen protectors do. Due to that solid-set bonding, they don't need unsightly bubbles of hybrid material over the fingerprint scanner.
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Chris started breaking computers decades ago in his dad's basement while seeing how fast an Intel 486 processor could go. Since those days, he's destroyed considerably less computing equipment (but not zero). Chris has a keen eye for useful and reliable electronics and he claims to know what the people want. One of his life goals is to travel centuries into the past with a smartphone and convince people he's a wizard.