The new Nothing Phone 4(a) doesn't need a screen protector to function, but you'd be gambling without one. The device uses Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which is built to survive drops onto rough surfaces like asphalt from up to 1 meter. However, Gorilla Glass is not scratch-proof.
Sand and dust particles contain microscopic quartz, and are harder than modern smartphone glass. If you put your phone in a pocket or bag with trace amounts of dust or even with your house keys, you will eventually get scratches.
Nothing did explicitly include a pre-applied screen protector out of the box for the phone. But you'll need to replace it over the next few months or year because it's standard plastic. When that day comes, make sure to check out our collection of high-clarity tempered glass screen protectors to protect your screen.
Ringke Easy Slide screen protector
$20.99
This product comes with a custom alignment tray that snaps onto the phone and makes a crooked, bubble-filled application impossible. It’s 9H hardness tempered glass that rests completely flat on your screen and blends in nicely with most cases.
Suttkue tempered glass with de-bubble card
$12.99
Enjoy a reliable full-glue adhesive layer that prevents the dreaded halo effect around the edges of flat displays. It also includes a hard squeegee card that pushes out stubborn air pockets.
JETech HD clear tempered glass
$8.99
JETech's screen protectors are unarguably cheap. There are just three solid sheets of tempered glass in the pack, and they fit the Phone 4a's screen properly.
Supershieldz tempered glass
$9.99
This set of protectors lacks fancy alignment tools, but the silicone adhesive rests cleanly on your screen without bubbling. That is, if you prep the screen properly.
Mr Shieldz tempered glass
$6.95
A Japanese glass with true 9H hardness ratings. It's slightly thinner than heavy-duty variants, so your in-screen optical fingerprint scanner is unlikely to fail when you're trying to unlock the phone in a hurry.
Aiziki tempered glass
$5.99
The ultra-thin profile of this glass is designed specifically to keep touch-sampling rates high. If you play fast-paced mobile games, you should know that thicker glasses create latency. You won't experience it on this screen protector pack.
There's nothing to break here
Nothing promises six years of security updates for the Phone 4(a), so it will probably change hands before the patches stop. When I buy a used phone, the screen is the first thing I check, and most buyers do the same.
If you plan to sell or trade it in when you upgrade, maintaining a clean display is the easiest way to get more money for it. Try to replace the pre-applied protector once its edges start to lift. Otherwise, grit collects in the gaps, and you'll grind it into the main glass whenever you press on it.
