I remember that in early 2000 it was very common to use screen protectors on almost everything with screen. I guess it was just millennials thing, cause as our ancestors were more careless, we grow up responsible and even overprotective. And screen protectors gave us this fake security and peace of mind.
I dug my old PSP out of the closet and I saw screen protector on it and it reminded me of this absurd :D Especially on PSP - where there's already protective plastic on front, so especially on this handheld it was so dumb to put another layer of plastic on it but nvm... :D
When I grow older, I interested with high end e-readers, for books and for manga/comics - to read it in good quality and save some space. And since then I started to learn that applying screen protector on device like that makes 0 sense. I paid more to get better quality of the screen, to see everything sharp. And other ereader enthusiasts reassured me about it these days, that its much better to leave this screen clear and better invest into high quality sleeve or case. And this is what I started to do.
And it makes sense IMO, because if I think about it today, these messy screen protectors made 0 sense. I pay for high quality device with great screen to cover this up with some sh*t protector for 5, 10 or 20$? :D NO WAY... Its dumb especially when I think about chemicals which these screen protectors has - glue, etc, etc. And screen of our device is exposed to this for years. While even clearing screen with unproper products can destroy screen with time, then these chemicals can damage it too - for sure. Especially when there's sometimes hot summer, or cold winter. Sun, etc, etc. Chemical structure changes. And it affects the screen, slowly, day by day, month by month, year by year.
So since then I started to use clear device - to get the quality of the device I paid for and full experience. Not hiding it with another layer of plastic, not makind it less sharp, and not making it slippery on touch screen and experiencing undetectable touches. Rather than that - I always bought good quality sleeves / cases to keep it safe when not using. And ofc washng these sleeves/cases from time to time.
And u know what? Years passes, and all my devices got still perfect screens. No scratches, no discoloration from protective screens or other weird stuff - just sharp and clean.
Meanwhile I decided to remove the protective screen from my old PSP and u know what? Screen looks messy. The screen protecotr and its chemicals left much worse marks than if I would leave it clear these days. It didn't protect it at all :D Just gave me the false sense of security.
Right now I got laptop, tablet, retro handheld, few expensive ereaders (one for outside, one to use only in home, one only for manga/comics), steamdeck etc, etc. And none of these devices has screen protectors. But got sleeves / cases to protect it when not using, high quality microfiber towel to clear it and not using any toxic clearing products). And screens are sharp, looking great and 0 micro-scratches - nothing.
And it funny to think about it when I look at this PSP now - I protected it so hard and ended up much worse... With damaged screen from protective screen :D
PS:
Ofc I totally understand screen protectors in some cases - especially when it comes to clumsy teens, which throw their devices everywhere or keep it in pocket freely with everything lese. Then ofc it makes sense :D Or for the same reason on phone. But on high end devices as an adult, when its more comfortable to have it in high quality case/sleeve, then it's obvious choice.
