S7 active top layer replaceable

[FLTimmyB]

where did you find them at 4 bucks a pop...just hit the website (yeah I know that's the worst spot) they had them at 35

 

[Mdiggidy]

ill be d@mned.

I managed to peel my one off too using a square razor blade to pry it up in the corner. It took a few attempts to get it right.

So pleased I came across this thread coz my screen got real scratched up in my pocket only a few days after purchasing. Thought i was gonna have to live with this nasty *** scratch for good.

Now I'm just waiting for the polycarb replacement screen from samsung, i will put a gorilla glass screen on top once installed.

 

[jmill89]

I managed to peel my one off too using a square razor blade to pry it up in the corner. It took a few attempts to get it right.

So pleased I came across this thread coz my screen got real scratched up in my pocket only a few days after purchasing. Thought i was gonna have to live with this nasty *** scratch for good.

Now I'm just waiting for the polycarb replacement screen from samsung, i will put a gorilla glass screen on top once installed.

Still waiting for them to be available last time I called...

But ya, im sure most complaints about messed up screens could probably be fixed by just removing the factory screen protector cause it's soft and sometimes the adhesion messes up too.

If I use an aftermarket protector, I'd rather take the polycarb one off first because part of the design to protect the screen is that it's recessed slightly below the rubber lip. And I don't like the idea of putting a screen protector on top of a screen protector.

 

[FLTimmyB]

yup just picked up some glass to go over the top of mine too...figure cant hurt...no dings yet I would like to keep it that way too.. lol

 

[jlczl]

Still waiting for them to be available last time I called...

But ya, im sure most complaints about messed up screens could probably be fixed by just removing the factory screen protector cause it's soft and sometimes the adhesion messes up too.

If I use an aftermarket protector, I'd rather take the polycarb one off first because part of the design to protect the screen is that it's recessed slightly below the rubber lip. And I don't like the idea of putting a screen protector on top of a screen protector.

The thing is that the polycarbonate one offers much more shatter protection than the aftermarket screen protectors. You can't really even tell it's on there so most of use who are putting on a glass protector are doing it mainly to prevent scratches on the protective shield. With that shield the Active survives extreme drops as mentioned on these forums.

 

[TylerLV76]

So this kit Samsung is going to eventually be selling is for sure a replacement for the top layer? Has anyone taken the poly layer completely off yet?

Edit: nm I just found in the manual that it is indeed replaceable. Im considering removing it and putting a zagg in its place down the road.

 

[prince randorson]

I thought my chat with a samsung representative regarding this part, Galaxy S7 active Screen Protector Replacement Kit (ET-FG891CTEBUS) may be of interest. The representative claims that this is NOT a replacement for the polycarbonate layer that come on the phone from the factory.

Has anyone taken the poly layer completely off yet?

I'd still like to know this.

 

[ThetaOverride]

I would like to know also.

After calling Samsung I was told that the ET-FG891CTEBUS would be the replacement but when I talked to 3 different people in the sales department about it all they would say is that they are out of stock. Then they proceed to hang up on me lol.

I also spent an hour on the phone with an ATT android support rep, Her manager and her department Samsung rep did not now about this. I had to send them pic of me with a gift card lifting the top left corner up to prove that it was not the clear trash that all phones come in. Also funny thing Scratches on the poly screen protector might void your warranty according to ATT.

Now I have an air bubble where I lifted the corner from dust getting under it. lol

 

[Mariomendozag]

Hi, i Live in Mexico and have buyed a s7 Active for a real bargain because the screen was so scratch that appears like the past owner try to clean up with sandpapper. and i though that in my next trip to USA, i will change the screen, all because the phone is in perfect condition but not the screen. So, i found this topic in this forum and think that i have nothing to lose. So i took my little victorinox knife and peel the polycarbonate screen in the gap between the round end and screen and remove it completely and.... Surprise, the gorilla glass 4 under the top layer was totally impolute. After that, i put a tempered glass to the gorilla glass 4 of the Active waiting for amazon to have the replacement part to install and install a new tempered above it.
Excuse my bad english and i hope you can understand it. But YES it can be removed totally safe. Cheers

 

[Slade8525]

good to know; i put glass screen covers on all the Actives i bought (took some for relatives/friends overseas and 3 for family).

 

[flyingkytez]

I would just remove the polycarbonate layer and add a tempered glass protector for $2. Easy and done.

 

[Tersanyus]

So glad I found this topic. I know it's a little old of a topic now though. I bought a used S7 Active for a good price. It's has little teeth marks on the screen. Was told it was from a small dog. Wasn't too bad as most of the bite marks are on the edge of the screen in the bezel area.

Read this post and figured I didn't have much too lose. I looked closely at the screen and didn't think there was a factory installed screen protector on it. Took my exacto knife to one corner. Took about 5 tries and found the right spot and sure enough the factory polycarbonate screen protector came off easily.

Now all those bite marks are gone and there's a pristine screen I have now. Wondering if I should order the factory replacement or go with a third party screen protector. Don't like the idea of a screen protector on top of another screen protector.

And since I brought this phone used I probably can't get the phone replaced since my date of manufacture is in May.

 

[T48]

Now all those bite marks are gone and there's a pristine screen I have now. Wondering if I should order the factory replacement or go with a third party screen protector. Don't like the idea of a screen protector on top of another screen protector.

Think I would just put a tempered glass screen protector on it like in post #30. Pack of 2 is $8-$10 on Amazon.

 

[jimd1050]

The bodyguardz glass you buy at att dont properly adhere to the polycarbonate screen. They leave air gaps and allow water under them.

Several months late to the conversation but just purchased an S7 Active Friday as a replacement (or carry over until the next Note) for my turned in Note 7s! The AT&T Screen Protector Specialist attempted to install a BodyGuardz on it for me 'cuz I used them on my Note 7s - would not go on properly. He grabbed a Zagg and I was out the door in 5 minutes!!! Looks great! I'm happy!

 

[DJ JD]

I had a little bad luck. Just got this phone and noticed a small scratch. Not very noticeable. I thought ok, I'll be careful. Then just a little while later, my stupid clumsiness, the charger plug just hit the screen just a tiny force. It left a tiny circle scratch(chip?) on the screen. I was looking into getting a screen protector. But then looking at the phone it looked like there's one on it. So how can I remove the top screen so I can replace it?

 

[sdardoin]

Can confirm this... just peeled off the one on my buddys phone this morning. He had an actual cut in it so we peeled it right off. Just plain glass underneath.

 

[jimd1050]

Can confirm this... just peeled off the one on my buddys phone this morning. He had an actual cut in it so we peeled it right off. Just plain glass underneath.

Thanks - good to know! I wonder if that's why so many of (us) have had problems installing other screen protectors? Putting screen protectors on top of screen protectors... ??? I don't think it mentions anywhere in the documentation that they have one from the factory. Thanks again!

 

[sdardoin]

Thanks - good to know! I wonder if that's why so many of (us) have had problems installing other screen protectors? Putting screen protectors on top of screen protectors... ??? I don't think it mentions anywhere in the documentation that they have one from the factory. Thanks again!

I didnt have any trouble installing my protector... on top of the factory one.

 

[jimd1050]

I didnt have any trouble installing my protector... on top of the factory one.

Yeah, like I mentioned in my November post - the "Bodyguardz" screen protector gave us some grief but once we switched to the Zagg unit, it went on fine! That's all I meant... !

 

[jnsanders]

So, I bought a used S7 Active off of Swappa (for crazy cheap) after hearing about this trick on here. Thank you guys so much for sharing this info! Here is some shots of me removing the film layer on my newsed S7 Active, and shots after placing a tempered glass screen protector. The procedure had me a little worried because it took about 20 gouges with a razor blade to the corner before finally catching it just right to get enough leverage to start pulling. The layer I removed was scratched like crazy, and there was even a decent-sized gouge in it. The Gorilla Glass 4 underneath remained 100% PERFECT though! So happy I took the risk. Thanks to all who contributed here. Here's some pics.