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
The BENKS OmniWarrior is a glass screen protector for iPhone with one unusual trick: it makes the screen easier to read through polarized sunglasses. Through my own polarized lenses, the blotchy, rainbow-like patches I normally see were clearly reduced. It does not cut normal reflections, but if you drive with polarized sunglasses and use your iPhone for navigation, it solves a real everyday annoyance. The included alignment kit also makes it very hard to mess up.
What I tested
- BENKS OmniWarrior: a glass protector designed for polarized sunglasses, with high transparency, impact protection, an anti-fingerprint coating and an alignment kit
- Compared with BENKS GlassWarrior, a sapphire-coated protector I had used for about a year
- Also compared with the NIMASO glass protector with a roller-style installation kit (sold in Japan as “Bari-raku Roller”)
- Checked the view through polarized sunglasses with GlassWarrior, with no protector at all, and with OmniWarrior, plus normal reflections, edge shape and installation
What I found
- Why it matters: polarized sunglasses cut glare on the windshield, which is great for driving, but they can make a phone screen look dark or blotchy depending on the angle. With my iPhone as a car navigator, I sometimes tilt my head just to read it.
- With GlassWarrior, which has no special polarization treatment, the screen showed the usual odd patches through polarized lenses.
- With no protector at all, normal reflections looked about the same as with a protector. OmniWarrior is not an anti-glare film, and normal reflections did not change much after I applied it either.
- With OmniWarrior on and polarized sunglasses on, the difference was clear to my eyes. It is hard to capture on camera, but the blotchy look was much reduced and the screen looked clean. It is less about brightness and more about removing the unnatural look polarization creates. It worked better than I expected.
- Installation was surprisingly easy. Turn the iPhone off so dust is easy to see, clean the screen, fit the kit with the TOP side up, and pull the sheets off in the order shown. There was no misalignment and almost no dust.
- Edge shape: GlassWarrior blends into the iPhone so smoothly it barely feels like a protector is there. OmniWarrior has a very slight gap at the edges. With a case on, I hardly noticed it.
- GlassWarrior held up well: after about a year, I found almost no visible scratches when I took it off.
- The NIMASO protector is also very well shaped and easy to apply. If you only want solid screen protection, it is enough.
| OmniWarrior | GlassWarrior | |
|---|---|---|
| Polarized sunglasses | Designed for it | Standard |
| Impact / scratch protection | Good | Excellent, sapphire coating |
| Ease of installation | Excellent | Excellent |
| How the edge blends in | Good | Excellent |
| Normal reflections | About the same | About the same |
| Best for | Polarized sunglasses, driving | Durability, protection |
Who it’s for
OmniWarrior suits anyone who drives with polarized sunglasses, uses an iPhone as a car navigator, or often wears polarized lenses outdoors. If scratch and impact resistance matter most, choose GlassWarrior. If you just want an easy-to-apply protector with a nice shape and no special features, the NIMASO is a good, simpler choice.
The video is in Japanese, but it shows the installation and the view through polarized sunglasses with each protector.
Limitations
The polarized-sunglasses result is my own impression by eye with my sunglasses; the effect is hard to show on camera, and it may vary with different lenses. I tested on my own iPhone only. I did not measure reflectance or drop-test anything. The NIMASO roller kit is a product I bought on Amazon Japan, and the exact version may not be sold in your country.
Products
BENKS OmniWarrior: on Amazon Japan
BENKS GlassWarrior: on Amazon Japan
NIMASO glass protector with roller installation kit: 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.