Are iPhone Camera Lens Protectors Worth It?

If you’ve got an iPhone and are wondering whether or not to invest in some added protection, you aren’t alone. Many people—accident-prone or not—recognize how important it is to have a fully functioning camera.

It doesn’t matter if you need it for work or recreation; your camera captures memories you can look back on for years. Read on to find out whether an iPhone camera lens protector is right for you and, if so, what type is best to invest in.

What is a Camera Lens Protector?

Camera lens protectors act as a shield between your camera lens and the outside world. It helps reduce the risk of cracks, scratches, and dirt building up on your camera lens and maintain image quality. There are numerous forms of lens protectors, which we’ll explore below.

Types of Camera Lens Protectors

1. Tempered Glass Protectors

Tempered glass has made an excellent name for itself regarding phone screen protectors, but did you know that tempered glass is also an option when it comes to protecting your camera? Tempered glass is a scratch-resistant material - crucial for your camera - and durable, so you know it will last. 

A consideration for any camera lens protector is the clarity of the material. After all, if it blurs your screen, it won’t be ideal for taking the Instagram-worthy pics you want. Tempered glass gives you excellent clarity, so it won’t affect the iPhone camera’s effectiveness. 

Once purchased, tempered glass protectors are easy to install and offer good protection against scratches and bumps. 

2. Film Protectors

Because of their benefits, tempered glass protectors for iPhone cameras are generally more costly (like screen protectors). If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, film materials might suit you better. Like the tempered glass option, film is a thin, high-quality plastic, often made from PET or polyurethane. 

It means they provide adequate protection against scratches and scrapes but aren’t as durable as tempered glass. While the plastic film protector is less costly in the short term, if you’re clumsy, unlucky, or always on the go, you’ll likely find that replacing the film covering could be more expensive in the long term.

3. Metal Lens Protectors

If you want to invest in protecting your iPhone camera lens long-term, the metal lens option could be the solution you’re looking for. Much like the film and tempered glass alternatives, the metal cases are crystal clear, so you don’t have to worry about the quality of your images or videos. 

Remember, there are many ways to take amazing pictures if you know how. What’s more, you’ll have no problem taking shot after shot as the metal alloys offer strong protection against bumps, scrapes, and scratches. With their durability, the longevity of this option is worth the investment for many. 

4. Hybrid Protectors

Not everyone wants to spend lots of money on metal camera lens cases, so if this is you, consider a hybrid protector. As the name suggests, this combines the benefits of film and tempered glass materials, giving you flexibility and excellent scratch resistance. 

While these are less likely to be as durable as pure tempered glass protectors, they’re more affordable on a tighter budget. 

What are the Pros and Cons of iPhone Camera Lens Protectors?

Pros

Ultimately, iPhone lens protectors are invaluable for offering an extra layer of protection, preventing you from spending lots of money replacing your camera or iPhone should you damage it. As they’re slightly raised, the lens is more susceptible to scratches and scrapes should you accidentally drop your phone, so added protection is a smart move if you want more guaranteed camera quality in the long term.

A tremendous additional benefit is that this added layer of protection isn’t too costly, and there are plenty of options to suit a range of budgets. With so many people using their phones in risky locations, such as the bathroom, these convenient and easy-to-use protectors help manage the risks.

Cons

Despite the positives, there are some limitations. Depending on the protector you purchase, it could affect the quality of your images and videos. For example, if you buy a low-quality protector, hoping to save a few dollars, you may experience camera glare or distortion. To combat this, research your protector before buying it, ensuring it’s excellent quality and made for your device model. 

Does everyone need a protector? We all use our phones differently, so it comes down to personal preference. The investment could be arbitrary if you aren’t prone to dropping your device. 

Does a Lens Protector Affect Image Quality in an iPhone?

Image quality depends on the quality of the lens you choose. Lens quality should be fine for a cheaper or more expensive material. However, if the product hasn’t been made with care and attention, you might find that your purchase causes irritating glares or distortions. 

That’s why it’s always best to ensure that your prospective choice is from a reputable company and that the manufacturer has expressly made the protector for your iPhone.

Are Camera Lens Protectors Necessary?

Approximately half of US adults use Instagram, meaning the need for good-quality cameras has never been higher. Other platforms, such as TikTok, have seen a rise in recent years, so whether you make content, use it for your business, or want to remember the good times, using your iPhone camera is immensely important.

While not an absolute necessity, camera lens protectors are well worth the investment if you want to preserve the quality of your images for the foreseeable future. That being said, it’s essential to consider whether or not the prospective case you’re choosing is of good quality and comes from a reputable source. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Advisable to Put a Camera Lens Protector on an iPhone?

If you want to keep the quality of your camera lens for as long as possible, it’s wise to purchase a protector, just as you would an iPhone screen protector. While not as large as the screen, the camera lens does protrude from the phone, making it susceptible to scratches. 

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, investing in an iPhone camera lens is the same as investing in good-quality protection for your phone overall. Protecting your camera lenses is wise to avoid scratches that could result in bad-quality photos or videos and prevent a costly repair. 

If you aren’t constantly on the move or accident-prone, extra protection may not be necessary for your camera. However, it’s still best practice to protect the rest of your phone as the larger surface area invites a bit more risk. So why not discover Casely’s range of iPhone cases today and find a chic style to suit you best?