This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
I applied three camera-surround films for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, one after another: ClearView (matte), Miyavix (matte, 9H) and PDA Kobo (glossy, 9H). All three fit precisely and none felt like a mistake. The real choice is matte or glossy. If you want matte for less money, Miyavix looked almost identical to ClearView.
What I tested
- ClearView rear protection film, matte anti-reflection (the regular, non-9H version I had been using)
- Miyavix 9H low-reflection film (matte)
- PDA Kobo 9H film (glossy)
- My iPhone 17 Pro Max in Cosmic Orange, with and without a case
What I found
- Removal can go wrong. An earlier carbon-pattern ClearView film got bent when I peeled it with the lens frame still on. This time the hook on my lens guard cracked after many removals, and some adhesive stayed on the phone. The phone itself had no scratches.
- PDA Kobo (glossy) went on easily. Tiny bubbles faded after a while. It feels slick, not grippy, and looks shinier than the matte back, but it matches a glossy front glass. Better than I expected.
- Miyavix (matte) came slightly curved out of the pack, while the other two were flat. Once applied, the curve did not matter. The finish is very natural and feels almost the same as ClearView, perhaps a touch firmer.
- ClearView (matte) was my reference: close to the stock finish, but it was hard to peel off when I replaced it.
- Do you need 9H? My regular ClearView film had no scratches after a little over a week. 9H is reassuring if keys share your pocket, but I would not call it essential.
Comparison
| Brand | Finish | Hardness | Coverage | Price (at recording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClearView | Matte | Regular (9H version available) | Camera area + lower back | 9H anti-glare version: 1,680 yen |
| Miyavix | Matte | 9H | Camera area + lower back | 1,200 yen |
| PDA Kobo | Glossy | 9H | Camera area only | 1,131 yen |
Who it is for
- Want the film to disappear: ClearView or Miyavix (matte)
- Want matte at the lowest price: Miyavix
- Want the back to match a glossy front screen: PDA Kobo
- Want drop protection: a film will not do much; look at a case that covers the camera
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. Removal starts at around 04:20, the glossy film at 06:10, and the side-by-side comparison at 12:15.
Limitations
One phone, one sample of each film, and only a short period of use. I did not test scratch resistance or drops. Prices are in yen on Amazon Japan at the time of recording. These films are made for the Japanese market and may not ship to every country.
Products
ClearView rear film, matte (iPhone 17 Pro Max): on Amazon Japan
Miyavix 9H low-reflection film (iPhone 17 Pro Max): on Amazon Japan
PDA Kobo 9H glossy film (iPhone 17 Pro Max): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Screen & Lens Protectors (27) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.