A few years ago, the ESR Armorite screen protector was one of our top picks. But after testing the newest version, we walked away a bit disappointed. Ranked between #10 and #11 out of 20+ protectors, the latest Armorite still has its strengths—especially in impact resistance—but also brings some frustrating weaknesses, particularly around edge durability and glare. Let’s get into why this tough-looking protector doesn’t quite hit the mark anymore.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong center impact resistance (314N) | Very weak edges (67.36N) |
| Solid scratch resistance (7H) | High glare increase (+12.12%) |
| Good install frame and packaging | Flat edges reduce durability |
| Affordable 3-pack ($16.99) | Poor oleophobic coating (fast but streaky) |
| Decent screen clarity (0.91) | Coverage is below average |
Design
The ESR Armorite ranks 13th in our design category. It’s made from double-tempered glass and measures 9mm thick, which should mean serious toughness. It covers 92.21% of the front face of the iPhone (below the 93.05% average), and 99.87% of the display (right on average). But it has flat edges—something we’ve consistently seen reduce both comfort and durability.
ESR does make up some ground with its installation experience. The install frame includes a unique black pull tab (most are clear), and the packaging is efficiently designed. It’s not perfect, but it does a good job minimizing dust. So while the design doesn’t wow us, the install experience is solid for a budget-friendly product.
Performance
Performance is where the Armorite slips a bit more, coming in at 15th place overall. Optical clarity is decent, retaining 0.91 of the iPhone’s display sharpness (average is 0.9), which puts it slightly above average. However, glare is a real issue—this protector increases screen glare by 12.12%, more than double the average of 5.6%. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or under bright lighting, you’ll probably notice it.
The oleophobic coating also underdelivers. While oil droplets traveled quickly across the surface—just 35.83 seconds compared to a 44-second average—the coating left behind streaks. That indicates the coating may not be spreading evenly, which isn’t great if you’re after a clean, smudge-free experience.
Protection
This is the one area where the ESR Armorite performs well—at least partially. It ranks #4 overall for protection. Scratch resistance is solid, holding up at 7H on the Mohs scale with barely any marks at 6H. It also absorbed a sharp impact of 314N (well above the 276.76N average), meaning the center of the protector is seriously tough. But the edges? Not so much. They broke at 67.36N—far below the 85.01N average. As we’ve seen time and time again, edge weakness is what usually leads to cracks. Tough centers and fragile edges just don’t mix well in real-world use.
Value
The ESR Armorite is priced at $16.99 for a 3-pack, which seems like a great deal on the surface. But when you break it down, the value starts to fade. The install is good, and the center protection is impressive, but the glare, edge fragility, and streaky coating hurt its daily usability. ESR’s regular glass screen protector scores better overall and costs even less—so for most users, the Armorite isn’t the better buy.
Verdict
The ESR Armorite screen protector looks like a rugged option on paper—but in practice, it’s a mixed bag. Strong impact resistance and a clean install process help, but weak edges and excessive glare hold it back. For $16.99, it’s not the worst choice, but it’s no longer the standout it used to be. If you’re budget-conscious and want balanced protection, ESR’s standard glass may actually be the better pick.