With the popularity of curved screen technology in electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, users have put forward higher requirements for the fit and protection of screen protective films. As a common screen protection material, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tempered film has attracted much attention for its performance on curved screen devices.
The curved design of the curved screen increases the difficulty of film application. PVC tempered film is preformed by heat bending or laser cutting process, and theoretically can fit the edge of the screen. However, the actual bonding effect is affected by the flexibility, thickness and curvature of the material. Some users reported that PVC film may have slight warping or bubbles at the edge, especially on screens with large curvature (such as Samsung Galaxy S series). In contrast, glass tempered film is more difficult to fit due to its high hardness, while PVC's flexibility gives it certain advantages on curved screens, but edge bonding technology still needs to be improved.
"White edge" is a common problem of curved screen film application, which refers to the gap between the film and the edge of the screen due to incomplete fit. PVC tempered film can improve this problem by applying UV glue or edge filling liquid, but it may fail due to aging or wear of the colloid after long-term use. In addition, the thermal expansion and contraction characteristics of PVC materials may also cause the edge gap to expand. Some manufacturers use the "black edge" design to cover the white edge, but at the expense of the screen's visible area.
The thickness of PVC tempered film (usually 0.2-0.3mm) has little effect on touch sensitivity, but inferior films may cause disconnection or false touches due to uneven surface coating. The touch area at the edge of the curved screen requires higher film flatness. If the film is deformed or bubbles accumulate, it may interfere with the transmission of capacitive signals. Tests show that the touch response speed of high-quality PVC film on a curved screen is less than 5% different from that of a bare screen, but it is necessary to avoid using inferior products with excessive thickness.
The hardness of PVC tempered film (usually 3-4H) is lower than that of glass (6-7H), but the scratch resistance can be improved by adding a hardened coating. In daily use, PVC film can effectively resist scratches from hard objects such as keys and coins, but it is still easy to produce scratches when facing sharp particles such as gravel. The curved design of the edge of the curved screen makes the edge of the film more susceptible to wear. It is recommended to use it with a protective case to extend its life.
The light transmittance of PVC tempered film (about 90%) is slightly lower than that of glass film (more than 95%), which may cause the screen brightness to decrease or the color to be cast. The curved area of the curved screen is prone to reflection or refraction, and the matte coating of inferior film may aggravate this problem. Some high-end PVC films use nano-coating technology to optimize light transmittance, but users still need to choose according to their usage habits (for example, it is recommended to give priority to products with high light transmittance for outdoor scenes).
The impact resistance of PVC material is better than glass, but it may turn yellow, become brittle or delaminate after long-term use. Frequent bending of the edge of the curved screen may accelerate the aging of the film. It is recommended to replace it every 6-12 months. In addition, the high temperature resistance of PVC film is poor, so avoid using it in high temperature environment (such as in a car exposed to the sun).
User reviews are polarized: some users believe that PVC tempered film is affordable and easy to fit, suitable for daily protection; but some users complain about its easy edge warping and touch delay. Curved screen users prefer "full adhesive film" or "hydrogel film" (TPU material), which is more expensive but has better lamination effect. Manufacturers need to improve the compatibility of PVC film with curved screens through technological iteration (such as adopting more advanced pre-bending process).
PVC tempered film has certain advantages in lamination effect on curved screen devices, but it still needs to solve the pain points such as edge lamination, touch sensitivity and durability. For users with limited budget or low requirements for screen protection, PVC film is a cost-effective choice; while users who pursue the ultimate experience can consider TPU hydrogel film or full adhesive glass film. In the future, with the advancement of materials science, PVC tempered film is expected to occupy a larger share in the curved screen market.
