Sony‘s mini flagship is coated with an anti-shatter film or ASF that is meant to protect the glass beneath from shattering. Apparently, however, this layer of plastic on top of the scratch-resistant glass isn’t scratch resistant at all, as a cringe-worthy scratch test video attests to.

Although the video you’ll find below does take scratching to the extreme, it does match the beating that the smartphone will eventually meet inside pockets or bags. Except probably for the scissors and scalpel, the items used in the test are everyday objects you might carry along with you. The pen test is quite interesting since Sony boasts of its smartphones’ capability to accept input from fine-pointed objects, like a pen, for example. The keys, however, did the most damage among the regular objects. Hopefully people don’t carry scissors in their pockets all the time to inflict even more damage.

The good news is that it’s possible to pry off this plastic film to be replaced by a more scratch-resistant, fingerprint-resistant alternative. The bad news is that this ASF actually contains the Sony logo found on top of the device. Thus, the film actually functions as a warranty indicator as well. Remove the scratch-filled film and you run the risk of voiding your warranty.

Whether or not Sony has realized how practically useless the ASF is, it will no longer be employing its services in future devices. The Xperia Z1 Compact will be the last to make use of the film and the Xperia Z2 and all future smartphones will no longer have it. Hopefully, Sony’s replacement will still provide shatter protection but also be scratch-proof at the same time.

VIA: Xperia Blog

7 COMMENTS

  1. Sony supply an additional screen protector with the phone that is supposed to be fitted on top of the ASF. Fitting it is easy and it doesn’t lessen the touch sensitivity, it’s also easily replaceable so why not use it. Not forgetting that you invalidate the warranty if you remove the ASF.

      • Hi, I received a screen protector in the box with my Xperia Z1 Compact….bought mine in the UK from carphone warehouse.

      • Mine was also purchased in the UK through Clove, but came without any additional screen protector. I’ve been using it for two weeks now with the temporary protective film that it shipped with while I wait for my Rhinoshield to arrive.

      • Carnmoney warehouse know this do provide it, slap it on when your screen is new, and you are a happy person

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