I Tested ½ a Paperlike Screen Protector on my iPad for 2 weeks. Here’s What Happened

Is the Paperlike iPad screen protector worth the hype of a 1000 sponsored posts? The question I wanted answered after seeing a ton of sponsored products for the Paperlike. After spending 30 days with this product, I would say that it's a bit overhyped.

In this video:
0:00 Intro
1:16 Installation
1:44 First selling point
3:02 Second selling point
3:30 Why did I cut it in 1/2?
4:57 Wear and tear
6:07 Nanodot hype?
6:49 Scratch Test
7:43 What pen/pencil mimics the Paperlike the most?
8:13 Val's take
10:18 BTS/Bloopers

Check out some of the other iPad screen protectors I've reviewed:

Get the Bellemond Matte Screen Protector I used in the video:

If you really want it, get the Paperlike instead:

#ReviewerNotInfluencer #Reviews #UnsponseredContent #MobileReviewsEh

Now the first selling point with the Paperlike screen protector is the fact that it makes your iPad NOT feel like glass. Note that I said NOT like glass, not, MORE like paper. More on that in a few minutes.

Basically, the matte film increases the friction between your Apple Pencil and iPad screen. Honestly, if you’re an avid Apple pencil user, getting a matte screen protector is going to make you love your iPad that much more. There’s no doubt about that. But should you pony up the extra cash for this overhyped product?

And if you don’t use an Apple pencil, I personally find gaming with a matte film better than the glass.

From a protection standpoint, this plastic film will scratch between 2 or 3 on the Moh’s scale which basically means anything above a sneeze is going to scratch the protector. The film is thin enough that you can easily use with other products like the Brydge keyboards without tearing up the hinges on the keyboards. I’ll do a deeper dive on scratches in the few minutes.

Now the second selling point of the Paperlike screen protector are the nano-dots which minimizes the light diffusion. Most matte screen protectors result in a bit of colored speckling but it’s very hard to see the diffusion on the Paperlike.

Now to prove this to myself, I brought out my microscope and did a deep view of the Google docs app. Here’s a side by side comparison of the Paperlike and a Bellemond matte screen protector. The diffusion is noticeable on the Bellemond. Here’s a side by side of the Paperlike and a bare screen. That difference is noticeable.

Now that was pretty cool to see. BUT these Nanodots come at a cost because the Paperlike, despite what the marketing fluff says, does not enhance the viewing on my iPad. More on that after the screen protector cutting montage.

So I spent another weeks using this dual screen protector setup and I’ll be honest with you, it was terrible. I didn’t install the protectors as tightly as I could so right in the middle of the iPad I had a seam that was visually very annoying.

Now back to the Nanodots and the viewing experience, content on the iPad actually looks blurrier under the Paperlike. There’s less diffusion but the text isn’t as sharp as it is under the Bellemond screen protector.

And here’s another thing, the Paperlike will change the contrast of your screen. Every single screen protector I’ve used blows out the screen a bit but it’s quite evident on the Paperlike side with this setup.

The Bellemond screen protector also scratches between 2-3 on the Mohs scale BUT after a weeks of usage, the Paperlike side looked way worse than the Bellemond side.

Now I wanted to give Paperlike the benefit of the doubt and eliminate the chance that one of my thumbs was scratchier than the other, so I spend another week using my iPad upside down, which for me was camera side/button in my right palm and...it was the same story. The Bellemond screen protector showed minimal wear and tear whereas the Paperlike looked terrible.

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[Paperlike]

Thanks for the honest feedback. Even if negative, it's always appreciated. I like that you tried to give us some props, even if you weren't able to find many. We're a pretty small team of people, but we're always trying to improve the Paperlike. So, we'll definitely take your input to heart as we continue to improve the product. I would state that, for the record, we don't pay for reviews. We do pay for placements in the videos of creators. We always ask for their honest feedback as well. Of course, it stands to reason that they may feel some pressure to make us happy due to the sponsorship. While not our intent, it makes sense. We also love to support great creators because think they deserve it. There are many positive reviews out there which we haven't sponsored. In some cases, Youtubers are affiliates for Paperlike, but are also affiliates for the other products they're reviewing. That all said, know that we are not deaf to this feedback. This is something we are planning to rework as soon as possible, and we continue to improve the product with each version of Paperlike. Keep the honest feedback coming and we'll keep improving. Thanks again for your work and content. We hope to earn a positive review from you in the near future.

[kxfka]

No one will talk how cute his dog? Looking to him so confused

[abarakat]

Thanks god, finally someone who wasn't paid by paper-not-alike sponsership!

[sanjiberry]

I really love that your dog is listening to you and looks genuinely interested.

[ethannoumenon]

Holy shit, I’m blown away by this video- a tech review channel completely unlike any of the ones I’ve seen on YouTube. You’re not overhyping anything, you’re not being dramatic about the problems with the protector- just a completely honest review based on actual usage of the product. Also, the dedication required to have that stupid line down the center of your iPad between the protectors is insane, along with that being a crazy smart idea and far better than the side by side comparisons most YouTubers do. Absolutely liking and subscribing- I don’t watch tech videos too often but when I’m looking at products in the future, this is where I’m coming.

[noodlesyaboi]

"... and add the dust right back in." If I haven't heard more truth.

[stlasmith]

I’m was like you, you couldn’t watch an iPad video without someone mentioning the paper screen protector, thanks for reviewing.

[gabrielhauerwaas]

As a student, this has been the most helpfull review of screenprotectors ive seen. i love that you compared multiple pens and also got a second opinion. It was also great to actually see the comparissons of scratches etc. side by side because many youtubers talk about it, but don't actually show it. Thank you so much!

[juliboolie]

I love how the dog is listening to his every word. And the dog's tie! omg so cute. and nice review also.

[AnnaAttemptsArt]

The paperlike might seem softer because they don't want to wear the apple pencil nib as much, that's another test you could do: which screen protector is best for the apple pencil

[inesrcmarques]

Okay, but can we just talk about the dog's reaction when he started cursing? so adorable 😭 10:25

[Gummybear]

Finally an honest review of this screen protectors. I have seen so many promotions and I have been skeptical. This made my choice easier. Thank you.

[mslian]

I liked your thorough and well thought out review. I just have one suggestion: Have someone else install it and label each side A or B. It would add another level of objectivity to your review and it would be fun to see your reaction to the "reveal" of which product you prefer.

[truecuckoo]

Great! Thanks for recommending an alternative. Been spending a lot of time searching. I appreciate the Nanodots for not throwing diffused colours, but I’m not happy with the Paperlike (2). It LOOKS way better than Paperlike 1, but I think they missed the mark on the paper feel. Actually I sanded my Paperlike with the finest grain sand paper I could find. Doesn’t look all that pretty, but it feels much more paper-like. Gonna definitely try out the other brand that you were recommending.

[adrianescalante]

I appreciate the cool comparison between the 2 highest sought "paperlike" screen protectors. I ended up going with neither after seeing so many contradicting reviews and finding out that they don't last past a few months of use. I will continue my college notetaking with the glass screen itself. It does the job and I suggest to everyone to just get used to it as it'll save you money in the long run.

[jjjj-msln]

that dog is like "why is the human talking so enthusiastically to a wall?"

[thegiantratthatmakesalloft]

At 10:23 when you started swearing, your dog started feeling sorry 🤣🤣 must've cursed a lot when you were angry to the dog 🤣

[bethsmith-resnik]

So glad I found you before I wasted my money. You just gained a subscriber! I love how honest you are and that you did the split screen. Love that you care enough about your viewers getting a quality product than being paid off like other reviewers. Nothing but respect for you. Thank you again.

[piotr]

That dog is a perfect sidekick. Bless his fluffy soul.

[bguatimosim]

Thank you for this amazing review!! YouTube lacks people making honest customer centered reviews...
Can you make a video comparing more matte screen protectors on the paper feeling? I mean, as you could see there are better options than Paperlike but I’d like to know which gives us the best paperlike feeling