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Best Matte Screen Protector for iPhone 14 and 14 Pro!

8:06 video

Every time I get a new device, one of the first things I do is pick up a new screen protector, and since 2020 my choice has been iCarez matte screen protectors. iCarez isn’t a sponsor of this video and has never sponsored any of my videos. I’ve put them on basically all my devices, including my iPad Air 5, iPad mini, iPad Pro, my three-year-old iPhone 11 Pro and my iPhone 13 Pro (which my wife now has). It’s possible I have a problem: I have some here for devices I don’t even own anymore. I bought all of them with my own money because I actually use them.

On the iPhone 11 Pro I’ve only replaced the protector once in three years, and it’s ready for another, but only because it’s been rolling around in my wife’s purse for two years.

Why matte

The main benefit is that it diffuses extra light and glare, and it hides fingerprints, which look like gross smudges on a glossy screen, so the screen is easier to clean. Look at two devices with the screens off: on the untreated iPhone 14 Pro you can clearly make out the honeycomb shape, while on the iPad mini with the matte protector the light is completely diffused.

For the value, these three-packs usually run under $10 or even under $7. As of this recording, you can search Amazon for the iCarez matte protector for your model and find the three-pack for under $4, which is insane.

What’s in the box

  • Three screen protectors, each with stickers labeled 1 (peel first) and 2 (peel second)
  • An accessory bag with hinge stickers (plenty of them), dust-removal stickers and a lifting sticker
  • A microfiber cloth for cleaning the phone before and after

Installing it on an iPhone 14 Pro

  1. Take a protector and place it face down over the phone, lining it up along the camera and the Face ID cutout.
  2. Place two hinge stickers on the protector itself, then, holding it in place, line up the top, bottom and sides. You’ll need a little glare from a light to see the cutouts, and you shouldn’t let it move.
  3. Once you’re happy, wrap the stickers around the edge. If you’re not happy with the placement, peel the back of the stickers up and fix it. Add a lifting sticker on the side for the hinge method.
  4. Wipe the screen (canned air helps) and remove as much dust as possible.
  5. Peel back the number 1 sticker, keep it a little tight so it stays straight, and lay the protector over the phone.
  6. Remove the hinge stickers, grab the number 2 tab and pull the protective layer off.
  7. Push out bubbles with the microfiber cloth. Work a little harder around the camera cutouts at the top; any tiny leftovers usually disappear over a couple of hours on their own.

I got it on the first shot.

Removing trapped dust

If a speck gets trapped under the protector: place a sticker on a corner to lift it, then use another sticker (used ones work fine, since they’re all the same) to tap the dust off the screen. If it’s still there after putting it back, it may be on the underside of the protector, so tap that with the sticker. Put it back down, remove the sticker and push out any air as before.

The result

A beautiful matte finish that protects against scratches and dings and keeps the screen from getting fingerprinty. It keeps glare off, so it’s good outside and in bright rooms. Some people argue matte protectors affect clarity and sharpness, but it’s pretty much imperceptible for me day to day. The Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro still works completely with the protector on.

If you have questions about the iCarez matte screen protectors, let me know in the comments, and see my full iPhone 14 Pro review if you’re interested.

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small commission. See my ethics statement.

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