Overview
- Controlled light-meter tests reported by Astropad show iPhone 17 reflectivity around 2.0% bare versus 3.8% on iPhone 16, but about 4.6% with a basic protector.
- Astropad attributes the increase to adhesive covering the anti-reflective layer, which is tuned for direct air contact on the display surface.
- Tech outlets including 9to5Mac, MacRumors, Forbes, Tom’s Guide and Phandroid have amplified the findings in reports this week.
- Reported guidance for buyers: either use a protector with its own AR coating or skip a standard protector to preserve glare reduction.
- Coverage notes Astropad sells an AR-coated film called Fresh Coat and that broad independent verification of the results remains limited; similar physics could affect other AR-treated phones.