The Ceramic Shield 2 Apple uses on the iPhone 17 features an anti-reflective coating designed to reduce reflections and glare. This is a coating that wasn't present on previous iPhone models and can make a noticeable difference in bright light.
See also: iPhone 17 Pro: Apple removed popular Night mode photo feature
However, if you're used to using a screen protector, you may be negating the iPhone 17's anti-reflective advantage, according to Astropad 's testing. Compared to the iPhone 16, Astropad found that the coating reduces reflections by about 50%. However, when a protector without its own anti-reflective coating is applied, the Ceramic Shield 2's effectiveness is significantly reduced.
See also: The iPhone 17e will have the same OLED screen with thinner bezels
As the company explains, anti-reflective coatings are designed to work in direct contact with air, and adding an additional layer of material neutralizes the effect.
Astropad conducted these tests because it has Fresh Coat, an anti-reflective screen protector, on the market, which it promotes in its report. It claims that Fresh Coat – and anti-reflective screen protectors in general – can replace or even surpass the anti-reflective properties of the iPhone 17 screen.
See also: Apple showcases iPhone 17 Pro's Vapor Chamber cooling
The company conducted controlled measurements with a photometer, and the full results are on its website.
