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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 Roundup: iPhone 6s
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 8 (Caution)
[ 128 comments ]


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AbSoluTc
36 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.
Rating: 14 Votes
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WarHeadz
36 months ago
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.
Rating: 11 Votes
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acctman
36 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.
Rating: 6 Votes
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AbSoluTc
36 months ago

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.
Rating: 5 Votes
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darknyt
36 months ago

Can't stand screen protectors on my phone. Makes the display look too grainy to me.

You're using it wrong..

Seriously though, the glass ones are great.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Glassed Silver
36 months ago
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
Rating: 4 Votes
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MacManiac76
36 months ago
Can't stand screen protectors on my phone. Makes the display look too grainy to me.
Rating: 3 Votes
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JCrz
36 months ago
I hope the iPhone 7 is incompatible with Otterbox cases so we will never have to see those monstrosities ever again.
Rating: 3 Votes
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AppleNewton
36 months ago
not sure what the need or use of a screen protectors are. had one on the iP4 but it made the experience less fluid and exciting. i tried all of the brands of them as well. i like the phone without one, if something happens let applecare take care of it.
Rating: 3 Votes
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croooow
36 months ago

Question: What the hell is the purpose of screen protectors anyway? It doesn't protect from falling damage, the display isn't scratchable anyway because it's solid glass, it looks like hell, and makes you feel like you're on those early plastic-display smartphones. UGH those were horrible.

They are not meant to protect against major impacts that would shatter the glass, just "day to day" rubbing against hard objects. And a good one does not make the screen "feel plastic".

If you think "solid" glass cannot be scratched, you should think again:


Glass is not scratch-proof on it's own, Apple (and others) have been able to make it less prone to scratches, but no glass is 100% scratch resistant.

Rating: 2 Votes

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