Screen Protectors Will Work With iPhone 6s and 6s Plus Despite New 3D Touch Feature

Wednesday September 16, 2015 3:01 pm PDT by Juli Clover

The iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus have a new screen technology called 3D Touch, allowing the devices to support new gestures that are based on pressure, as well as touch. 3D Touch works through capacitive sensors embedded in the backlight of the devices, measuring microscopic changes in the distance between the glass cover of the display and the backlight, combining signals from the touch sensor and the accelerometer to respond to finger pressure.

Because of the way 3D Touch operates, there was some speculation that screen protectors might not work with the new devices, but Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller appears to have confirmed in an email to 3D Techtronics that screen protectors that comply with Apple's design guidelines will work with 3D Touch. "Yes. screen overlays that follow our guidelines will continue to work with 3D Touch," Schiller wrote.

iPhone-6s-3D-Touch
Apple's design guidelines for iPhone cases say any screen overlay must be electrically conductive, must not exceed 0.3mm in thickness, and must not introduce air gaps between the touchscreen.

There are several Apple-approved screen protectors that are available for purchase from the online Apple Store and through Apple's retail locations, including products from companies like Tech21, Belkin, and 3M. Because the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s plus are similar in size to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, it's likely these screen protectors will fit Apple's newest devices, but customers concerned about fit should wait for confirmation from the manufacturers.

Apple's iPhone 6s and 6s Plus with 3D Touch are currently available for pre-order from Apple's online store and in Apple retail stores. The two new iPhones will officially launch on September 25.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

AbSoluTc

105 months ago

Its press touch why wouldn't it work? In related news Apple Care and the lightning cable will also work with the 6s.

There were many threads on this and it was a valid concern. Nobody knew how a screen protector would interact or change how 3D touch would work or if it would at all. Again, pretty valid. Technology changes and when it comes to touch, 3D touch and the like, little things can have a big impact on user experience.

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

WarHeadz

I still can't adjust to the "3D touch" name. It's weird telling someone to 3D Touch the screen. Force touch makes so much more sense and doesn't feel weird to say.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

acctman

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

There are a few tempered glass Amazon that are .3 thick. I'm using PowerDigitial which is .33 and then there is iFlash which is exactly .3mm.

At .33mm I can't imagine having a problem being only .03mm thicker. What is that, a hair?

Ever had an eye lash in your eye? A hair can mess some stuff up. It ruins meals, clogs drains and get's in your mouth.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Glassed Silver

0.3mm? Guess that throws a lot of glass protectors out of the window then.
It's a shame, because they feel much nicer and don't wear off.

Glassed Silver:mac

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)