iPhone Camera Protector (Necessary Check, Camera Screen Protectors)


The ultimate photography experience in the iPhone is one of its selling points. The lenses have increased in number and size to improve the quality of the images, and any cautious user would want to guard them against dust and scratches at all costs.

So, do I need an iPhone camera protector? An iPhone camera protector is not needed as the iPhone cameras are made of sapphire and are durable enough to prevent scratches and damage after falls. With enough protection for the lens to reduce the chances of it shattering during a fall or being damaged by water.

iPhone lens protectors may be handy if you need additional security, but they are a personal preference, not a necessity. Although the iPhone’s lenses are some of the most impressive aspects, there are several arguments for and against the use of camera protectors.

Choosing to invest in a camera protector for the iPhone, requires ensuring the protector is a clear, tough, tempered glass that fits properly and doesn’t affect the camera’s operations. Otherwise the quality of the photos and videos produced by the camera will suffer.

Many new owners confess that they bought their iPhone because of the crispy picture quality, and you can tell Apple has improved the lenses targeting such customers. They seem pretty fragile, sticking out the back of the phone, and clumsy users worry that they may shatter when the phone drops.

iPhone camera protectors are an excellent idea for an added sense of security, but they are unnecessary. You don’t need them because Apple designed the lenses using sapphire, making them durable and resistant to scratches.

The camera is the least likely to shatter or get marks from all other phone components. You can choose to invest in a protector only if you want but ensure that it is a proper fit and doesn’t interfere with your camera’s normal operations.

If you place the iPhone 13 and 12 next to version 11, you will detect glaring differences in the design, especially the camera lenses. Since they are slimmer, the cameras have significantly increased in size.

New owners consider that this may have increased the chances of damage since they are now more exposed. Apple is cautious with its designs to ensure that the improvements don’t come with such risks, especially since you spend a pretty penny on your iPhone.

Your first thought when you think of protecting the iPhone camera is to install a protector. It is similar to a screen guard that you use to shield your phone from cracks, and it also comes in clear, thin glass or plastic film that goes over the lenses.

The point is to reduce the chances of your lenses cracking if you drop your phone on a hard surface. They are a thoughtful way to keep the essential phone component safe, but they may not be necessary.

You don’t have to buy a protector since the iPhone’s camera is strong enough to resist damage. It is of sapphire material, durable and hardy to avoid cracks upon impact. They are the safest out of the iPhone parts, and there are minimal chances of them breaking. Therefore, you don’t need to invest more money in getting one. Besides, adding an extra layer on top of your camera can interfere with its performance.

It can affect the picture quality, which you are also trying to avoid by preventing scratches. While damage can alter the camera’s point of focus, an extra cover may interfere with the visibility, altering how you take pictures.

Also, there are slim chances of the iPhone landing straight on the lenses when it drops. However, if you must get a protector, ensure that it is the proper fit, durable, thick, and resistant to fingerprints.

Should You Put a Protector on iPhone 13 Camera?

iPhone 13 usually comes with a hefty price tag, and you are warranted to take every precautionary measure to keep all its components safe. The delicate design makes new users worry about the camera breaking or scratching and want to guard it to maintain the picture quality, but is it necessary?

Your iPhone 13 camera may not require a protective layer since the lenses are of sapphire, a long-lasting, scratch-resistant material. Besides, there are minimal chances that your lenses will damage when the iPhone falls since it hardly lands on its back.

Hence, you can save the money you would have used on the protector. The main worry is that having an additional layer on the device’s lenses will likely degrade the quality of your pictures, compromising the images you capture.

Using a lens protector on your iPhone 13 is ok, but not necessarily like getting a screen protector. First, the cameras have a hardy glass substance cover that guards against scratches and cracks that may result from drops.

Luckily, there are minimal chances that your iDevice will fall and land on its camera since the lenses cover a smaller area. Any impact may not deal severe damage to the sapphire material.

Also, note that the camera guard affects your photography by reducing the picture grade. Due to the above reasons, many users are convinced that the hassle of finding a suitable lens protector is not worth it.

However, it is entirely a personal decision if you want an additional layer of protection for your iPhone 13; you can buy a high-quality cover or leave the phone intact. If you find it unnecessary, you may still have to be cautious with your iPhone because a severe crash may affect the camera. 

Ensure that the lenses are always clean to guarantee crisp images. Remember that if you opt for a protector, you may have to compromise on certain aspects. For instance, the additional layer will have edges that hold tough dirt that is tough to clean out, and the harder you try to remove them, the more you make the glass vulnerable and interfere with the camera quality.

The lens protector may also influence light movements, decreasing the quality of the captured images. Moreover, there are lower caliber protectors than sapphire making them more susceptible to damage than the actual camera. If you must use a lens protector on the iPhone 13, ensure that you pick the best material of the best quality.

Most owners prefer a clear tampered glass as the protective cover because it is more durable and less likely to interfere with the picture quality. Besides the extra cover, you can take other precautions to keep your iDevices’ lenses safe, like using a phone cover that guards the screen and cameras, using a phone pouch, and not placing the camera directly on hard surfaces.

Are Phone Camera Protectors Necessary? Should I Put One?

Phones are vulnerable such that a fall on the floor or a rough surface can cause damage. Cameras are also vital components of your smartphone, and like the screen, it is essential to keep it safe. Since screens have protectors, you may wonder whether your phone camera also needs a guard.

Camera Protectors aren’t necessary for your smartphone, and it’s a personal decision whether to install one on your phone or leave it intact. Most phone lenses have a rigid cover that doesn’t scratch easily but adding another protective layer may be a foolproof guard in case of drops.

A severe impact can affect the lenses even with a rigid camera protector. If you are clumsy and risk severely dropping the phone and crashing the camera, your best bet would be to find a robust lens protector.

Depending on how much you use your phone and the chances of seriously damaging the screen and camera, you may need an extra layer. For instance, if you don’t frequently have your phone in your hands and don’t carry sharp objects in the pocket or bag that can scratch your camera, you may not need a guard since there are minimal chances of damaging the camera. On the contrary, you may need a protector if there is a high probability of dropping your phone off a height and causing severe damage.

Therefore, it is advisable to consider your environment and understand your risks. It will help you decide whether your iPhone camera is safe or needs another layer. However, remember that using a protector impacts your photography experience.

Some versions may diminish the picture grade by interfering with the light rays. Therefore, while purchasing the lens guards, always insist on quality, sturdy, transparent material; otherwise, you may be ruining the camera’s performance.

Installing protective layers on your phone is cheaper than replacing a broken camera. You can weigh the options, and if your phone’s camera protrudes and the material is not of the best quality, it becomes more vulnerable to scratches and cracks. Luckily, smartphones with receded lenses may be safer, and you can place them on surfaces with the camera side facing down without worrying about abrasions.

If you often take pictures for fun or professionally and invest in a pricey phone with the best camera quality, you may find a lens cover handy. However, ensure that you pick a clear and durable option that doesn’t degrade your pictures.

Luckily, most manufacturers create phones with robust lenses that are scratch-resistant and last the device’s lifetime. Your handset is safe from minor abrasions by small objects like keys in your pocket, and it will be fine as long as the impact is not severe.

How To Protect Your iPhone Camera

Although the iPhone lenses are made of sturdy material, there is still no harm in being extra careful in case of anything. The chances of scratches or damage may be slim, but you can be cautious if you want to keep your camera safe, primarily if you use it for photography.

You can use a lens protector, phone cover, or front/ back cover to protect your iPhone camera. You can use a cover solely on the lens, but there are issues with it interfering with the picture quality and camera performance.

Alternatively, you can take a different approach by protecting the whole phone using a case that keeps the screen and camera safe. Lastly, if you want to maintain the iPhone’s sleek design, you can opt for a back and front cover, but the material may add weight to the phone.

It is advisable to avoid direct contact between your iPhone camera and any hard surface to avoid scratches from forming on the lens. You can keep the camera side elevated or place the phone on top of another soft material like a piece of tissue. Also, remember to regularly wipe the lens with a clean cloth to avoid dust accumulation. Besides these, there are other main ways to keep your camera intact.

  • Use Lens Protector

It is a thin cover that you place directly on your camera for an additional layer, keeping dust and scratches at bay. It focuses on the lens part leaving the other parts untouched. Several options are available for different users in sleek designs based on your needs.

Some are minimalistic but guarantee that your pictures maintain their superb quality. When choosing one, ensure that it is clear and doesn’t affect the images. Many users prefer tempered glass that is durable and resistant to scuffs. Secondly, it should tightly fit and not form bubbles during installation.

  • Use a Phone Cover

While others opt to protect the lens solely, other users would rather take the holistic approach and instead protect all the phone parts. A phone cover will keep the entire phone secure by simultaneously protecting the screen and lens. An added layer will absorb the shock from drops, and the protruding edges will cover the camera preventing scratches.

You can go for TPU, leather, or any other material you prefer but avoid cheap alternatives and knock off brands. Most users also choose fancy options that improve the aesthetics but remember to pick one with cutouts for the camera. 

  • Use a Screen Protector

If you would rather keep your phone intact, you can opt for a tempered screen protector for the back and front of the phone. They help keep your phone safe from impact without changing the sleek design, but the challenge is that adding this layer increases the phone’s weight. If you want to keep your phone lightweight, this may not be the best option, and remember that you may need to keep wiping off the cover to remove fingerprints.

Wrap Up

The decision to get a camera protector is personal, depending on your phone’s design and the probability of damage. The latest iPhones have high-quality cameras made of durable material with little chance of scratches or cracks. Therefore, you don’t need a lens protector to keep your camera secure.

However, if your camera is not of durable material and you are likely to drop your phone and ruin the lens, it may be a good idea to invest in a protector. Ensure that it is a transparent, rigid material like tempered glass that will not affect your camera’s performance. Alternatively, you can use a phone or screen cover to keep the camera and other parts safe.

Bal Kang

Bal Kang is a technology expert based in the UK, with experience across a number of technology areas from phones, tablets, computers to gaming.

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