The Galaxy S22 is a durable phone — touting an IP68 rating and a durable aluminum frame. But does that great protection also apply to its screen?

The SamsungGalaxy S22 is a powerful device in more ways than one, but does it need a screen protector? This is a question that comes up with any smartphone purchase. After spending a heap of money on a new handset, people want to ensure that it's protected as well as it can be. This means it's always a good idea to look for things like water/dust resistance, drop protection, and scratch resistance.

So just how durable is the S22's screen? Whether someone purchases the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, or Galaxy S22 Ultra, all three variants have Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Corning says the glass can survive intense drops of up to two meters, which is a considerable increase over the 1.6-meter drop height of 2018's Gorilla Glass 6. Gorilla Glass Victus also touts scratch resistance that's two times better than its predecessor. In other words, it's very durable. It also means not everyone who buys a Galaxy S22 will need a screen protector. For someone who's generally careful with their phone and doesn't put it through too much abuse, you can probably use the Galaxy S22 without a screen protector just fine.

Why You Might Need A Galaxy S22 Screen Protector

That said, some folks should still consider a screen protector. The fact of life is that some people are harder on their phones than others. Whether someone works at a construction site or is just particularly clumsy, some people put their phones through the wringer. For them, it makes sense to buy a screen protector for the Galaxy S22. As strong as Gorilla Glass Victus is, it's still exactly that — glass. It may be drop and scratch-resistant to a great degree, but if put through too much hardship, it will eventually crack.

The good news? Galaxy S22 screen protectors are in ample supply. Tempered glass and TPU film options are readily available online, often selling for $10 - $20. It's a small and affordable purchase, but it's one that could make the difference between a working or broken phone later on. If you think you'll need one, do the smart thing and buy a screen protector now before it's too late.

Does The Galaxy S22 Come With A Screen Protector?

While many smartphones, such as the OnePlus 11, come with a screen protector pre-applied, the same does not hold true for the Galaxy S22 series. No matter which Galaxy S22 phone someone buys, they won't find a screen protector in the box. Samsung does apply a screen protector on the Galaxy Z Fold smartphones, but that isn't meant to be removed.

So what's included in the box of the Galaxy S22? Apart from the smartphone itself, all users get is a USB-C to USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, and some documentation. It goes without saying that a charger isn't included in the box, and given that the phone doesn't have a headphone jack, there aren't any wired headphones either.

The Best Galaxy S22 Screen Protectors

A quick search on Amazon will reveal numerous options for Galaxy S22 screen protectors, many of them priced below $10. For those who want added protection, it comes down to choosing between a plastic or tempered glass protector. A plastic film screen protector will suffice for shielding the display from scratches, but tempered glass can even save the screen when the phone is dropped on a hard surface. The ArmorSuit Miltary Shield screen protector is a film-type protector that comes with a matte finish that can also eliminate glare. It's priced around $11 and even has the ability to self-repair minor scratches.

A great tempered glass option is the Milomdoi screen protector which comes with 9H surface hardness to protect the screen from scratches and cracks. It's available for $10, and for that price, users get three tempered glass protectors for the display and two for the rear camera module. The brand claims the fingerprint sensor isn't affected by the tempered glass, but recommends that users re-record their fingerprint for the best results. The Spigen tempered glass screen protector is also a good buy with 9H hardness. It's more expensive than the other options at $16, but for the price, comes in a pack of two and includes an alignment kit to help users correctly place the tempered glass on the Galaxy S22's screen.

Spigen Samsung Galaxy 22 Tempered Glass Screen Protector

This Spigen tempered glass screen protector is specially designed for the Galaxy 22. The 2-pack comes with an installation kit to make application easy. Glass is rated at 9H hardness with an oleophobic coating which means better fingerprint resistance.

Source: Corning, Amazon 1, 2, 3