| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good optical clarity (0.91) | Very weak edge strength (41.88N) |
| Strong impact resistance (324.88N) | Outdated install tools |
| Decent oleophobic coating | Flat, uncomfortable edges |
| Reasonable glare control (7.02%) | Poor scratch resistance (6H) |
| Covered cutouts and full frontal coverage | High price for single protector ($39.99) |
Zagg loves to remind us they’ve protected over 400 million devices—but numbers alone don’t guarantee quality. In our hands-on testing, the Zagg Glass Elite came in at a disappointing #15 out of 20+. Despite its premium price and branding, it struggles with weak edge protection, outdated install tools, and a design that feels more 2015 than 2025. Let’s break it down.
Design
Design-wise, Zagg ranks 17th. It uses aluminosilicate glass, and our shatter testing supports that claim. The protector is 9.12mm thick and covers just 92.02% of the iPhone’s front face—below the 93.07% average. Cutouts are fully covered, but the flat edges are a problem. Not only do they feel sharp, they’re also more prone to chipping, as we’ll get to in the protection section.
The install experience? Functional, but outdated. Zagg’s tray system with anchor points worked well… about 9 years ago. Nowadays, competitors offer dust-reducing frames and foam stabilization. Zagg still relies on the basics: frame, wipes, dust stickers, and microfiber cloth.
Performance
Here’s where the Zagg Glass Elite shows some promise. It’s ranked #7 for performance. Clarity scores are solid at 0.91, above the group average of 0.9. Glare changes by just 7.02%, which is fine for most use cases. Diffusive glare was actually better than average, which helps visibility in bright conditions.
Oleophobic coating performance was a mixed bag. Oil droplets took 72.2 seconds to travel the test surface—well above the 44-second average, which usually indicates stickiness. However, the trails were minimal, so at least it resists buildup decently once the screen is clean.
Protection
Now for the real issue: protection. Zagg ranks 17th here—ironically not very “elite.” It scratched easily at 6H and got worse at 7H. The flat edges were especially concerning, breaking under just 41.88N of force (average is 86.18N). Most real-world breaks start from the edges, so this is a serious flaw.
Center impact strength came in strong at 324.88N, which is well above average. Unfortunately, if your edge fails on a minor drop, the strong center won’t help. It’s baffling that after protecting “400 million devices,” Zagg hasn’t addressed this weakness in their design.
Value
The Zagg Glass Elite costs $39.99 for a single screen protector. For that premium, you get decent clarity and good impact resistance—but outdated tools, weak edge strength, and below-average design make this a hard sell. Other products offer better all-around performance at half the price or less.
Verdict
Despite its big-brand reputation and premium price tag, the Zagg Glass Elite underperforms where it matters most—edge durability and design. It installs like it’s still 2015, feels rough around the edges, and chips far too easily. Sure, it looks fine and holds up well in a lab impact test—but in the real world, we’d go with something stronger, smoother, and smarter.