[Google Pixel 2 XL Accessories] cd993:
For those who want stylish drop-protection and scratch resistant screen protection, here's a review and installation guide/tips for the Ultimate Shield® Front Shield Invisible Screen Protector and the Spigen Tough Armor Black (Built-in Kickstand).

The products...

Ultimate Shield® Google Pixel 2 XL FRONT SHIELD Invisible Screen Protector

Google Pixel 2 XL Case Spigen [Tough Armor] [Black] Built-in Kickstand

A bit of background first, if I may...

My previous OnePlus 5T was the first phone I felt the need to have screen protection (let's just say kitten claws and phone screens don't blend so well....) in addition to good quality drop protection. So when switching to the Google Pixel 2 XL I figured let's play it safe. For a few reasons though when trying out tempered glass protectors on the 5T, I just couldn't settle. I couldn't get over the mirror-like reflection which for me, spoilt the beauty of the display. Several brands later and I found the same disappointing experience (sensitivity issues, fingerprint magnets, poor fit, high reflection etc.). So I decided to try the Ultimate Shield non-glass screen protector. Which I LOVED.

Speaking in the present and with the glorious Pixel 2 XL I wasted no time in purchasing the same Ultimate Shield Screen Protector and high quality Spigen cases combination. Pictured in this review will just be the Tough Armor, though I could upload some pics of the Liquid Crystal clear case if requested.

Installation...

I'm not going to lie, it's not 'easy' as such, but once you nail the technique and with a little hard work you can achieve the results you want. As you may know, the Ultimate Shield (and similar brands like IQ Shield) require a wet installation - that is to say, with the use of slightly soapy water.

You may attempt to follow my instructions to the letter or be inspired to attempt it in a different way, so either way here are my steps that I achieved a near-perfect installation:

DISCLAIMER - these are my steps which I found to be successful - your actions are your responsibility and if you don't trust these steps, simply follow the instructions provided by Ultimate Shield.

1. Humid environment - I ran the shower hot for a short while with the window shut. You want it to be nice and steamy in there which helps all those pesky little dust particles fall to the ground and not float around making their way under your screen. The perfectionists amongst us will not be able to unsee that 1 hair or a collection of dust located anywhere on the screen! In the interest of full disclosure, this was actually my third installation. I don't mind admitting this, but I wish to keep this iIxel perhaps until Pixel 4 XL (IF I can wait that long...) and so I wanted as perfect installation as possible, given it's potential lifespan with me. Plus it always helps resale value too to have a well kept phone. I kept my window shut to avoid any airflow/potential risk of 'contaminants' floating their way in and to maintain humidity.

2. Further dust reduction - Perhaps over-the-top, but I removed my bathroom matt and towels just in case any fibres were floating around from them and I even did the installation topless. Like I say, perhaps over the top but who knows where the little fibres would originate from...

3. Workstation setup - I used the toilet seat (closed and clean of course ;)) and a wooden chopping block to work on.

4. Tools/stuff you'll need - As the included Ultimate Shied instructions state you'll need a bowl of clean water with a tiny drop of washing up liquid in there. I cleaned the bowl thoroughly (no point in having bits of dust in there to begin with, that would ruin your hard work!) and I even use filtered water. Hell, why not. The tip I'd like to say is don't stir like crazy - don't make bubbles - but instead swirl your finger(s) round slowly and you'll see the the water and washing up liquid mix. If you do make some bubbles let them settle. Or use a spoon and get them out. As these bubbles will just be extra bubbles to squeegee out later. More bubbles, more work. You'll also receive the microfiber cloth and a small squeegee. I like the size of the included squeegee card, but it in my opinion could be a little sturdier, so I used both that and a normal credit card. More on this later.

5. Let's begin - Your bathroom should be nice and steamy by now and you're ready to begin. Feel free to turn the shower off if it's too steamy or just steamy enough. Time is of the essence from the second you peel the screen protector from away from it's film, just in case any rogue particles are floating around on standby ready to attack - so you should be prompt, but similarly, don't rush.

You'll need to wash your hands to ensure you clean any oil/dirt from them. Likewise with the phone. I didn't go as far far as rinsing the phone under the tap, I mean I guess the phone is water resistant but I found the steamy bathroom and wiping the phone with the cloth sufficed. This is your call - but either way this is a critical step. Power down the device and clean that screen and clean it good! Keep checking for any dust/fibers/hairs or whatever may have made its way to your screen. Look at your phone from every angle possible in the light. Really make sure your screen is clear of anything that shouldn't be there.

You're done checking?

No. No you're not.

Seriously - make sure no bits are there!

6. Applying the screen protector - Once your happy with the screen, wet your fingers with the water from the bowl. Wet all of your fingers, from tips to sides. Then carefully begin peeling the screen protector from it's film. Do this carefully. Very carefully. With your wet fingers, peel it slowly and be careful not to stretch it and to emphasise, keep those fingers wet! You don't want any fingerprints on the sticky side of the protector. Once peeled, you can dip it directly in the bowl of water however I found it best to repeatedly wet my fingers and 'stroke' the sticky side (don't get mixed up and forget which is the sticky side...!). If you see any big soapy bubbles on it, try wipe them off with your wet finger but don't worry too much as you should be able to squeegee them out soon. But again, more bubbles, more work... Now check your screen and ensure you're happy there is no bits on there. If you're happy, then proceed to applying the protector.

7. Alignment - Ensure you've definitely put the screen protector on not only the right way round but also that it's not upside down! You'll need to look at the application in multiple angles with good lighting to really check that it's lined up nicely. I found that the beauty of this screen protector is that it is a really good fit. Like right to the edge of the screen and the camera/speaker cut outs are nice. So use these cutouts as reference and take the time to line it properly. Again, keep those fingers wet. They'll soon dry up and you want to avoid touching the exposed sides that haven't stuck down yet (more on that later).

8. Squeegee - Now it's time to get those trapped bubbles/water out. Use the included squeegee card or a credit card, whichever you prefer, with the microfiber cloth wrapped around it. This makes your squeegeeing less harsh on the surface of the screen protector and helps it glide. Hold your phone still and press firmly from the centre to the edges. Now then, do this assertively but with caution. A few key tips:

- You want to press hard enough to get the water out, but as you release the trapped water the screen protector will be binding itself to the screen and begin to settle in it's position. So 2 things here to be mindful of: while there's water still under there and as you are squeegeeing, the protector may move around - ensure you maintain good alignment. Secondly, as water is released it will keep it's place so again, ensure you have good alignment. If not, now is the time to carefully peel it back off (with wet fingers), wet it and try again.

- When squeegeeing, do so with good pressure but not too much. You may get some stubborn bubbles which may require extra force. I found myself alternating between the flat long side of the card and sometimes using the corner for a stubborn bubble - though tread carefully here, as whilst the protector is durable you can 'dent' it a little if too much pressure is applied. As will be seen on my pictures, I've got the slightest dent marks from applying a little too much pressure with the corner of the card. These protectors are supposed to be "self-healing" though, so perhaps overtime the dent may come out, as with the bubbles which are also said to take some time to go away. We'll see...

- Take extra care around the speaker/camera lens cutouts. I found these areas, especially the around the speaker, not to stick down straight away and on my first install attempt I kinked it a little stretching it, causing it not to sit flush. So go slowly and keep the applied pressure from the centre to the sides.

If you notice any trapped dust at this point under the protector then carefully remove, remove if possible wet fingers (may even have to use your nail carefully) and try again. Once the protector dries it may be hard to get it off again without stretching it, so bear this in mind.

Give the screen a thorough inspection in good light at all angles. You'll maybe see big bubbles of water and so if so, do your best to squeegee them out. You may see little collections of tiny soapy bubbles. Again, do what you can to remove. Once your happy enough you can let it rest. The screen might not look perfect right now and it will look hazy (keep it powered off still for the time being, for what it's worth) but this haziness should clear up in time and it is said that slight imperfections can take some further time to clear up.

9. The waiting game - the sides may not be sticking down yet but this is normal. It may take an hour or longer for them to begin to stick and so patience is required. A little tip here is be careful where you let it rest whilst the protector dries. I'm talking from experience here, as with my first install I took the phone into my front room just on the table and little bits of dust found themselves under the protector at the sides where it hadn't yet stuck. So my advice and technique to prevent this, is to very loosely wrap the phone up with tinfoil. This prevented any dust getting to it and of course no bits/particles would come from the tinfoil either. I found this to be successful in allowing it to dry in peace.

I left it an hour and checked on it. Carefully use your fingers/thumbs to press down those sides if they are yet to stick down. If an area is still not sticking, press and hold for 10 seconds or so and it should stay. If not, more time may be required.

After patiently waiting overnight, as recommended, I turned my phone back on - it may be safe to turn it on soon after the install, given the device is water resistant, but still I wanted to ensure it was fully dry, the speaker grill for example, just in case.

10. The end result - It is with all of the above steps that I woke up to see most of the haze had gone and I'd managed a near-perfect installation. VERY happy! The sides have stuck down and it really does suit the phone very well. As mentioned, the protector hugs the entire screen - more than the actual display but indeed over the curved edge and it's this which, for me, makes it compatible with Spigen case at least. I still took care in placing the phone in the case, to prevent lifting the protector up but I'm confident that the lip of the case goes well over the protector. You can't see any edges of the protector as it is fully covered by this case, which for me is yet another selling point. Other than the cut out for the camera/speaker etc. you can barely notice it!

So in summary...

Pros

- Precisely cut out

- Fits the phone extremely well

- No loss of sensitivity

- No mirror-like glare (the colourful display remains that way)

- Barely noticeable

- Case compatible (I have only test with the 2 Spigen cases, but I found on my previous OnePLus 5T that these tight fitting cases were the most problematic - this is not the case with this Pixel 2 XL setup)

- Offers great scratch resistance - I keep my phone in my pocket by itself and never with anything else, but I've the extra peace of mind and will avoid any hair-line scratches or scuffs

Cons

- Some may find this a little more time-consuming and complex process than standard protectors or tempered-glass installations, but that's for you decide...

- There is the slightest 'orange peel' effect, but again this really is very slight - at least to me - never noticeable when the screen is on and only really seen if looking hard for it up close

- Whilst this protector offers great scratch resistance I would only use this type of protection with a good case as of course, this protector offers very little in terms of drop protection.

I hope the above guide/review is of use to some people who are looking to protect their device and perhaps wasn't too pleased with tempered glass.

See attached pictures from the morning after the night before. You will see a couple of spots of dust on the screen but these are luckily on the phone and not trapped underneath. Lastly, it is said that any haze/little bubbles can take 24-72 hours to fully disappear, but even after just overnight I am very happy with this setup!

I'm happy to answer any questions or upload any more pictures if requested.