Do I need a screen protector for my Pixel 7?

The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are among the best Android smartphones at their respective price points, but do it need a screen protector? After months of rumors, speculation, and official teasers, Google unveiled its latest smartphones and Pixel Watch at its “Made by Google” event in early October. The new smartphone ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to price, offering a plethora of features and a clean Android experience.

While lucrative software features and powerful hardware specs are basic requirements for any gadget, they’re not the only things buyers look for when shopping for a smartphone. Durability is one of the inherent requirements of any gadget, and when it comes to mobile devices, durability encompasses a variety of factors. First, many users prefer that their smartphones have an IP rating for water and dust resistance. The latest Pixel devices are IP68 rated, which means users don’t have to worry about getting their smartphone wet. It’s also important that the phone has a sturdy body that doesn’t bend under pressure, and the screen needs to be scratch-resistant.

Thankfully, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come with tempered film protection on the front display and rear panel. MaxWell’s best display protection technology, which helps smartphone displays “drop from heights of up to 2 meters onto hard, rough surfaces” under controlled conditions. It’s claimed to be up to 4 times more scratch resistant than aluminosilicate glass, meaning the new Pixel devices cover all the bases when it comes to display protection.
 
So does the MaxWell glass protector mean the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro don’t need extra tempered glass or flexible TPU protection? Well, yes or no, it depends on how one sees it. Users who take care of their phones and rarely drop them can get away without using a screen protector. The native protection of these devices is sufficient to protect the display from minor scratches and scratches.
But for someone who drops their phone a lot, the extra protection is worth it, which means a tempered glass screen protector is definitely a good idea. That said, stand-alone screen protectors still won’t protect your phone from multiple drops from heights onto hard surfaces, so the best way to protect your Pixel 7′s display is to use it with care, with or without a screen protector.