[Google Pixel 2 XL Accessories] valkarian:
Here's my short review on the InvisShield True Fit for the Pixel 2 XL

InvisShield True Fit Website

Background

After trying on the Amazingthings dot matrix protector and watching everyone be disappointed by the Whitestone non-Dome, many Pixel 2 XL users were left stranded between going without a screen protector or settling for a sub-par adhesive version. The problem was evident: no manufacturer seems to be able to nail the curve properly, while making it case friendly and adhere strongly at the same time. Protectors are either only covering the flat portions, which is also difficult as the screen extends slightly into the curved areas as well, or using a dot-matrix general tempered glass or a wet-apply non-tempered glass version. As a Pixel 2 XL user, I put down good money, and would really prefer to be able to consume content and browse my photos with decent protection and no unnecessary side-effects. Hence, when I heard of the InvisShield True Fit that was being sold locally, I decided to go down and have it applied immediately.

Product Specifications

The company promote the product as "a specially designed UV Adhesive (Liquid Optically Clear Adhesive - LOCA) installation process to achieve a perfect fit for your device while maintaining maximum protection for your display". Aside from the usual claims of 9H hardness, the website does promote certain aspects that stand out. Let's have a look at some of the claims they appear to make:

What is included

1x InvisShield True Fit Google Pixel 2 XL Clear Tempered Glass for LOCA application-No Adhesive

2x LOCA application

1x UV Light

1x Alcohol

Straight off the bat, the contents seem rather weird. No, it's not a typo, nor are you reading it wrong. The contents claim to only consist of the LOCA and a bottle of alcohol, but does not include any microfiber cloths or alcohol wipes or dust removal stickers. While these are things that you can replace easily, such as using your own microfiber cloths and lint-free fabrics and just some normal tape to serve the same purposes, these items seem to already be a given inclusion with any screen protector (maybe not the microfiber cloths but at least the swabs and the dust-removal stickers). Keep that in mind when opening and preparing for your application of the product. If you're based in Singapore though, you can drop by their store and have it installed instead, which is an experience I will go through later on.

Propriety UV Adhesive

"The UV Adhesive has been specially formulated to ensure the correct viscosity for ease of control and speed of installation. It also has the perfect strength to withstand the rigours of daily usage without causing bubbles to appear within the tempered glass". This probably indicates that they have sources their own formula or supply of LOCA and used it with their products to achieve the clear effect that they want to achieve. On the site, it is also available for sale as two small brown capsules that represent capped test-tubes. Looks aside, they seem readily willing to sell just the LOCA, which adds an interesting spin to things, indicating that you might be able to mess up more than the 2 times (because by default you're provided with 2 tubes already). An installation video was also included featuring the application as well as what to avoid doing.

[IMG="InvisShield Application"]https://images.mobilefun.co.uk/graphics/productmisc/63747/2017-05-16%20(1).gif[/IMG]

While this image was used in their website under the application process, I would like to point out that this product does not use any plastic frame to hold the phone or align the protector, nor does it have any clever dropping mechanism or markers for where the LOCA needs to be when applied. As advertisement goes, it's borderline misleading, but provides sufficient insight as to the process that it undergoes during application. (Perhaps the manufacturers might consider replacing the gif with a self-made version to ensure accurate representation of their product and avoid any confusion.)

3D Curved edge and Perfect Touch Sensitivity

While certain competitors appear to have adopted the flat protector routes, InvisShield claims to forge ahead down the curved protector path. This, when paired with the 90% case compatibility claim seem to be slightly questionable, but it remains to be seen.

Oleophobic, Easy Removal and Cracked Screen Recovery

LOCA protectors generally have the ability to fill in certain cracks and 'repair' the screen, and removal, while claimed to be easy, should be just about the same as removing the Whitestone Dome. It also claims to be Oleophobic to some extent, but we're already rather used to our fingerprints existing on our phones. I'll be sure to take note of the process of wiping away finger prints.

Application of Screen Protector

Now, I have a confession to make here. I don't know much about the application process. The store personnel explained that application process would require an hour, and then proceeded to apply the protector for me. I also wanted to take advantage of their considerably extensive experience at applying the protector to get as good a fit as possible to the phone. As such, I was not a primary party in the installation.

After contacting a number I found from their Facebook website, I arranged for a time slot to show-up at the store. After briefly chatting with the personnel, they wiped my phone down, and I went off to perform some errands (an hour without my phone, the horror). After an hour, I returned to the store and the protector has already been set and cured. Application at the store comes with 1 month of warranty that covers the appearance of any air bubbles that develop over the course of time, but they also make a note that any lifting caused by case compatibility or cracks will not be covered. So far, it seems fair enough, but there were three things of note that I managed to notice.

Protective film of Screen Protector

When one of the store's personnel was preparing the screen protector, I observed that he removed the plastic film of the protector, then proceeded to remove an additional small border protector that was approximately 1/2 mm in width. To me, this was an indication that the protector comprised of two sections, namely the flat middle section and then the curved exterior. What I was not able to discern was whether the edges were actually curved, or just manufactured at an angle. However, the glass was clearly not a flat piece.

Non-provision of UV Light and Spare LOCA

After receiving my phone, I asked if they would provide me with the UV light and spare LOCA, but they claimed that they used their own UV lights in the store and did not provide me with a set. Just something to take note of, since they're selling the UV lights individually at around $8, that if you apply it at their store, you don't get the remainder of the box's contents. This was rather disappointing, as it removes the ability for me to just buy LOCA and a replacement screen protector and apply it myself. However, it only applies to locals who head down to the store. Perhaps their local representative might want to shed more light on the issue.

Complex application process

If you're applying yourself, though, be prepared that even the store is unable to provide a perfect application. I had previously banked on the store's personnel being precise and experienced enough to provide a one-off perfect installation, providing me the best possible application and compatibility with cases.

[IMG="Misalignment”]https://i.imgur.com/X2oSHSn.jpg[/IMG]

However, even the store was unable to keep the phone's protector properly aligned, and a recent post by their apparent representative also mentions that the screen is of a difficult curvature, and application proves to be quite the challenge. Regardless, after contacting the Facebook contact, I was able to settle on a satisfactory resolution. Their care for customers and responsiveness seems to be one of their highlights, as they have many cases of customers providing good feedback, and I personally saw them inspecting a phone carefully to determine if repairs were necessary or possible. As a local company that I have never heard of or dealt with before, they appear to have a size-able number of employees who are dedicated to their work.

[B]The Final Product[/B]

This is what you read this post for, and here you go.

[IMG="First Reveal"]https://i.imgur.com/jvUJoD7.jpg[/IMG]

The glass sits atop the screen and is curved around the edges. Touching the screen on the edge is every bit as responsive as you expect it to be. Colours are great, and there has not been a rainbow effect in the more than 24 hours that I have been using my phone. Let's get more into the design of the protector on the surface of the Pixel 2 XL. The main criticism of the Whitestone Dome was that it was too expensive for a protector that appears to be completely flat. The InvisShield is definitely anything but.

[IMG="reveal 2"]https://i.imgur.com/TbjjXud.jpg[/IMG][IMG="Reveal 3"]https://i.imgur.com/T4sMm8S.jpg[/IMG]

The edge of the protector is curved down along the sides of the screen, allowing the LOCA to properly adhere to the edges. The rounded surface provides a smooth and responsive touch experience that I can only describe as flawless. It's exactly as they have advertised, and performs very well in light of the adversity that is the Pixel 2 XL.

[IMG="Reveal 4"]https://i.imgur.com/J9s1wfz.jpg[/IMG]

The protector will not have any dot-matrix, and also shows no distortions when viewed at any angle, indicating a good mix of LOCA and a good thickness of glass that will not limit your angle of view on the Pixel 2 XL (or at least nor more than the blue-tilt is already limiting you, sorry to bring it up).

Case Compatibility

This is a major concern with many users, and I regret to be unable to test this with as many cases as I would like to (mostly because I do not have these cases). The default case of the Google Pixel 2 XL, the fabric case, was immediately recognized by the personnel as a compatible case for the phone.

[IMG="case 1"]https://i.imgur.com/MmvAvd0.jpg[/IMG][IMG="Case 2"]https://i.imgur.com/0Hl8NFi.jpg[/IMG]

As you can see, the imperfect application has tilted the phone's protector slightly towards the right side, and brought the case directly in line with the protector. This was an issue I raised with my contact, who recognized that it was misaligned due to installation imperfection. However, there's quite a safe gap all around the edges near the top where the application was almost perfect, and shows a very minor gap of less than 1 mm. This is both good and bad, as it limits the number of cases that it will be compatible with, but also provides comprehensive protection as hard objects are unlikely to find their way between the gaps and onto the bare surface of the phone.

Oleophobic layer

Other than being told not to big at the edges of the screen protector with my nails or with a microfiber cloth, the fingerprint resistance of the glass is as expected of tempered glass. Fingerprints and oil do appear on it, but is easily wiped away with just a few swipes of a microfiber cloth. Wiping using commonly available fabrics seems to take a little longer but eventually arrives at the same clean and clear standards. I'm no expert and have no grounds to say that it is outstanding or catastrophic, but it works for me and works well.

Touch and Swipe

While I have yet to run a full suite of touch tests (please request if you'd like me to), the feeling is as you would expect from a clear tempered glass protector. It's of a good amount of traction, allowing you to swipe as if you were swiping directly on the screen of your phone. It is a glass surface after all.

Omitted Results

Some of the things I will not be doing include a manual removal of the product, as I actually need to use this phone, and a hardness test with scratch tools, as I do not possess any and also do not wish to scratch my screen protector. If tests are done on this protector, please do let me know so that I may add it to my review. I will also update if there ever comes the time when it is scratched by a known object or if I ever find the need to remove it.

Conclusion and Future plans

Overall, I've been most pleased with the protector. The curved edges are very pleasant to the touch and add to the experience of the consumption of content. Colours appear vibrant and touch is responsive, and it doesn't fall off my screen. Application could have been better but with a warranty that covers imperfections caused by installation and time for a month (on the condition that you did it at their store), the protection that I get for my phone seems unparalleled to me at the moment. I have ordered a dBrand Grip case, and have notified the manufacturer of InvisShield that I would like to test the case with this protector, so I will update when I have received my Grip case (and super pretty skin).

Shipping might pose as an issue, as shipping to an address in Oregon apparently costs around $14, bringing the total costs up to $43. I can see why this, as opposed to the Whitestone Dome, might not be as attractive, and thus the free shipping codes are very much coveted. As a store of their stature, I too find it difficult to get around the shipping issue. However, if enough interest is gathered for the product, I am confident that major retailers, such as Amazon which has recently moved into Singapore, Lazada or Qoo10 might pick up the item and make shipping less of a nightmare or hassle for those living further away. As a local Singaporean, it excites me that such a relatively less known company is capable of producing a product that, for me, goes head-to-head with one of the most well received screen protectors of all time. While logistics remain a major hurdle, let it be known that I think this can and will be as great of a product if you give it the chance. It is up to the company to expedite shipping and logistics, and up to the customers to express their interest, and provide the necessary demand needed for the company to make use of economics of scale, allowing them to get the product to you at a lower price.

I sincerely hope this review helps, and will entertain questions that I am able to ask, and forward queries to the company that might require their input.