So, I got my hands on the new iPhone 15 Pro, and the first thing that struck me was how massive those camera lenses are. Seriously, they stick out quite a bit. I immediately started worrying about scratching them just by laying the phone flat on a table or sliding it into my pocket.
Naturally, I went looking for some protection. Started browsing online, you know, just seeing what options were out there for camera covers. Found quite a few types – some were these tiny individual glass bits for each lens, others were like a single piece that covered the whole camera bump.
Deciding and Buying
I thought about it for a bit. The full plate seemed like it might interfere more, maybe trap dust underneath? Seemed like more could go wrong. So, I decided to try the individual lens covers. Figured they’d be less noticeable and maybe less likely to mess with the picture quality. Found a pack that seemed decent, had good reviews, wasn’t too expensive, and ordered it.
Getting Them On
The package arrived a few days later. Pretty standard stuff, a little box with the covers inside, usually they come with tiny cleaning wipes and maybe a dust sticker. First thing, I gave the actual camera lenses on the phone a really good clean. Used the included alcohol wipe, then the little microfiber cloth. You really want zero dust or smudges under there.
Then came the tricky part. Peeling off those tiny covers from their backing without touching the sticky side. Lining them up perfectly over each lens took some steady hands. They are small! I had to carefully place each one, pressing down gently once it looked centered. One of them I didn’t get quite right the first time, so I had to carefully lift it off and try again. Thankfully, the adhesive was forgiving enough for one repositioning.
First Look and Use
Once all three were on, they looked alright. You could definitely see them if you looked closely, adding a tiny bit of extra height to the already prominent bump. They felt secure, though. Didn’t seem like they’d just fall off.
I immediately took some test photos. Inside, outside, different lighting. Honestly, right off the bat, I couldn’t see a huge difference in quality. Looked pretty much the same to my eyes, which was a relief. No obvious blurriness or weird color shifts.
Living With Them
I’ve been using the phone with these covers on for a few weeks now. Here’s what I found:
- Protection: They definitely do the job. I feel much better placing my phone down now. I actually noticed a tiny scuff mark on one of the covers the other day – better the cover than the actual lens! So, peace of mind achieved.
- Durability: They’ve stayed on perfectly. No lifting edges or anything. The one scuff mark is minor.
- Picture Quality: Okay, here’s the thing. In most normal daylight shots, I still don’t notice any degradation. However, shooting directly into bright lights, especially at night, I think I see a little more lens flare than before. It’s not drastic, but sometimes there are extra little light streaks or circles that I don’t think were there originally. It’s subtle, but it’s there if you look for it.
- Case Compatibility: This was a minor issue. My super slim, tight-fitting case didn’t quite work anymore. The added thickness of the lens covers meant the case didn’t sit perfectly flat around the camera module. I had to switch to a different case that had a slightly larger or deeper cutout for the camera area. Not a huge deal, but something to be aware of.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Overall, I’m keeping them on for now. The main reason I got them was for scratch protection, and they deliver that. That peace of mind, for me, outweighs the slight potential for increased lens flare in specific situations and the minor hassle with finding a perfectly compatible case.
If you’re super worried about scratching your lenses and don’t mind a very slight potential compromise in niche photo situations (like direct bright lights), then giving camera covers a try might be worth it. If you demand absolute optical perfection in every single shot or use a very specific tight case, maybe skip them. For me, the trade-off works out in favor of protection.