Does phone camera lens protector affect picture quality

One of the joys of being an iPhone user is that you get a consistent top-shelf photography experience whenever you use the camera, day or night. This has been one of Apple’s major selling points for the iPhone. There have been improvements in the computational image quality and lens used to preserve this stronghold. 

Newer iterations of the iPhone reflect these improvements, with the most noticeable change being the size and weight of the phones. Placing the iPhones 12 and 13 next to the 11 reveals that they are thinner while the camera lenses have gotten bigger. Some may think that this aesthetic trend increases the likelihood of the lenses of the iPhones 12 and 13 incurring damage because the camera modules bulge from the back cover. This protrusion may result in more dust or particles, or worse still, scratches, which results in poor image quality due to the formation of multiple focus points. This isn’t why you spent top dollar.

The first thing on your mind is probably to get a camera lens protector for your iPhone, but do you really need it?

There’s no need to put a protector over your iPhone’s camera lenses. The lenses are made from sapphire and are very scratch-resistant and durable. In fact, they’re the least likely part of the phone to break or scratch. So you can save yourself the hassle and money of buying a lens protector and just enjoy taking pictures.

What Is an iPhone Lens Protector?

A lens protector is the equivalent of a screen guard for a phone’s camera lens. They are thin and transparent coverings made from either glass or plastic that are placed over camera lenses. Lens protectors are installed to reduce the chance of your lens cracking or scratching should you drop your phone.

However, slapping an extra layer of glass onto the back of your camera can impact the final picture quality — the very thing you are trying to prevent. Besides, an iPhone’s camera lens is made of sapphire, making it one of its most durable parts. Some photography sources discuss camera lenses’ visibility and their effect on photo quality. 

Because the iPhone 12 and 13’s camera lenses are made from sapphire, they are relatively durable and are made to last for several years. Moreover, the probability of your phone landing on your camera module is small. With these factors in mind, a camera lens protector isn’t a necessary investment for your phone, even if you are on the clumsier side. However, if you are still looking for ways to protect your phone’s camera from scratches, check out the following ways you can protect the camera lens of your iPhone.

How to Protect Your iPhone Camera Lens 

When it comes to protecting your camera lens from scratches, there are several ways you can proceed. Here are a few ways to invest in the longevity of your iPhone’s camera lens. 

A Protective Phone Cover

Instead of taking a somewhat streamlined approach, you can take the more general and practical approach of phone body protection. TPU protective covers are your best bet. They take point impact quite gracefully by distributing and absorbing shocks from falls and drops, which prevents any serious damage from happening.

TPU phone covers with raised edges around the sides of the camera are highly effective protective devices. They even prevent scratches from occurring when you place your iPhone face up on a flat platform. You can get a clear case iPhone 13 silicon pack for cheap on Amazon.

If the clear case TPU phone cover isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for colored ones or packs with full leather covering. Chances are, you’ll find a phone pack you love so much that you’ll never want to take it off. 

A Front and Back Screen Protector

Tempered front and back screen protectors have become sturdier and increasingly impact-resistant since they first entered the market. They are the first choice if you want to retain your iPhone’s sophisticated look with one continuous sheet of glass while staying protected. Unlike phone covers, you cannot get screen protectors with raised edges around the bezels of the camera. Camera lens protectors can be added as complementary accessories for further lens protection.

Using a camera lens protector ensures that the entire protective covering of the phone is one continuous sheet of glass. Such as this one available on Amazon. If you are intent on your phone being lightweight, this isn’t for you. The addition of glass makes your phone heavier and more difficult to grip. And, don’t forget to carry a phone cleaning cloth with you to periodically wipe off fingerprints from your phone’s body.

Apple may have marketed its new ceramic screens as the most durable iPhone screens yet, but that doesn’t make them shatterproof. It’s best to think twice before ditching the front screen protector just for a slightly lighter phone.

Camera Lens Protectors: Are Your Fears Misplaced?

Shelling out $1,000+ for a phone and having its camera lens get in the way of your image quality is troubling. While iPhones are fitted with camera lenses made of sapphire, which are near impossible to scratch, adding an extra level of protection brings a renewed sense of security — especially if you tend to let things slip through your hands.

If you fancy getting a camera lens, ensure that they fit well, are thick enough to prevent light interference, are fingerprint resistant and hard enough. Opt for protection that won’t interfere with your camera functions.

Photo by TheRegisti on Unsplash

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