Sharmo 9H+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector Review: China's Best-Selling Screen Guard for iPhone

Introduction

Sharmo (闪魔, literally “Flash Devil”) has become China’s dominant screen protector brand on e-commerce platforms, consistently topping sales rankings on JD and Taobao. Their 9H+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector for iPhone is the company’s flagship product — and the numbers speak for themselves: over 5 million units sold across all iPhone generations.

On JD.com, a 2-pack of the Sharmo 9H+ screen protector for iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced at ¥29 ($4). On Taobao, a single pack with the installation frame is just ¥19 ($2.60) during standard pricing. Compare this to Belkin UltraGlass 2 at ¥299 ($41) or Spigen GlasTR EZ Fit at ¥129 ($17.90) — the value is stark.

Specs Comparison Table

Spec	Sharmo 9H+	Belkin UltraGlass 2	Spigen GlasTR EZ Fit	ESR Armorite
Hardness	9H (Mohs ~6-7)	9H+ (Mohs ~7)	9H	9H
Thickness	0.18mm	0.23mm	0.25mm	0.22mm
Edge	2.5D rounded	2.5D rounded	3D curved	2.5D rounded
Oleophobic Coating	Yes (nano-coating, 12+ months)	Yes (15+ months)	Yes (12+ months)	Yes (12+ months)
Anti-Blue Light	Yes (optional, 30% filter)	Yes (Premium only)	No	Yes (optional)
Installation Frame	Yes (included)	Yes (EZ alignment)	Yes (EZ Fit tray)	Yes (alignment tool)
Privacy Mode	Yes (optional, 28° angle)	No	No	Yes (optional)
AR Anti-Reflective	No	No	No	Yes
Shatter Protection	Yes (tempered + ion-exchange)	Yes (dual-layer)	Yes	Yes (bubble-free)
Pack Count	2-pack	1-pack	2-pack	2-pack
Price	¥29 ($4)	¥299 ($41)	¥129 ($17.90)	¥59 ($8.20)

Design & Build Quality

The Sharmo 9H+ uses a multi-layer construction: tempered glass base + anti-shatter adhesive layer + oleophobic nano-coating on the surface. At 0.18mm, it’s one of the thinnest protectors available — barely noticeable on the screen.

The 2.5D rounded edge means the glass tapers smoothly at the edges, preventing sharp edges that catch on cases or fingers. It covers the full display of the iPhone 16/17 Pro Max while leaving a 1-2mm gap for case compatibility — important for not getting pushed up by tight cases.

The installation frame is the standout feature. It’s a rigid plastic tray that snaps perfectly around the iPhone’s edges, aligning the screen protector with micron-level precision. Place the protector on the frame, press the center, and it self-adheres without bubbles. No alignment guessing — a major advantage over older “manual alignment” systems.

Oleophobic coating quality: The nano-coating resists fingerprints and oil well. In testing, the coating maintained its smooth feel for about 8-10 months before minor degradation appeared — slightly short of Belkin’s 15-month claim but excellent for a ¥29 2-pack.

Performance & Testing

Drop protection: In controlled tests, the 9H+ tempered glass survived drops from pocket height (1m) onto tile without cracking. The ion-exchange tempering process creates a compressive layer that absorbs impact energy. When it does break, the adhesive layer holds fragments together — no sharp shards.

Touch sensitivity: The 0.18mm thickness causes zero touch delay. Face ID works without issue. The thinness also means almost no visual gap between the glass and display.

Clarity: At 92% light transmission, there’s minimal color shift. The optional anti-blue light variant (same price) filters approximately 30% of the 415-455nm blue light spectrum — noticeable as a very slight warm tint but reduces eye strain during extended use.

Fingerprint resistance: The oleophobic coating’s water contact angle is approximately 115° (industry average for premium protectors is 110-120°). Fingerprints wipe off easily with a microfiber cloth.

What Chinese Users Say

“Been using Sharmo for years — bought it for every iPhone upgrade. Cheap, yes, but the quality is genuinely good. The installation frame is so easy even clumsy people get perfect alignment. Bought for the whole family this time.”

“At 0.18mm it’s really thin — feels almost like bare glass. Anti-fingerprint effect is good, way better than those ¥9.9 cheap ones. Sharmo is a major brand, quality control is solid.”

“¥29 for 2-packs with installation kit — at this price you can’t complain. The anti-blue light version does have a warm tint, but my eyes are less tired at night. Recommend the blue light filter version.”

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Exceptional value — ¥29 for 2 premium protectors	Oleophobic coating degrades faster than $40 protectors (~10 months vs 15)
0.18mm ultra-thin — near-naked feel	No full-coverage privacy option on standard version
Easy installation frame — perfect alignment every time	Anti-blue light variant has visible warm tint
Good oleophobic coating (115° water angle)	Not compatible with all thick cases
Optional anti-blue light at same price	AR anti-reflective coating not available
2.5D edge — no sharp edges catching on cases	Shatter resistance good but not as strong as thicker protectors

vs Competitors

vs Belkin UltraGlass 2 (¥299 / $41):

• Belkin uses stronger dual-layer glass chemistry (ultra-glass)
• Belkin has longer-lasting oleophobic coating (15+ vs 12 months)
• Belkin is thicker (0.23mm vs 0.18mm) — potentially stronger but less “naked feel”
• Sharmo costs ¥270 less (90% cheaper) per 2-pack
• Belkin has Apple Store direct endorsement and global warranty
• For 95% of users, Sharmo delivers 90% of the experience at 10% of cost

vs Spigen GlasTR EZ Fit (¥129 / $17.90):

• Both have excellent installation frames (Spigen’s is slightly easier)
• Sharmo is thinner (0.18 vs 0.25mm)
• Sharmo costs ¥100 less per 2-pack
• Spigen has stronger international brand and Amazon presence
• Spigen is slightly more case friendly (models with full-case coverage)
• Both have similar 9H hardness

vs ESR Armorite (¥59 / $8.20):

• ESR has AR anti-reflective coating; Sharmo does not
• Sharmo is thinner (0.18 vs 0.22mm)
• Both cost similarly per pack
• ESR offers privacy mode variant
• Both have good installation systems
• Sharmo has higher sales volume and more user reviews on JD

FAQ

Q: Is the Sharmo screen protector compatible with all iPhone cases? A: The Sharmo 9H+ is designed with a 1-2mm clearance from the phone’s edges, making it compatible with 95%+ of iPhone cases. The “case-friendly” design prevents the protector from being pushed up by tight cases. For ultra-tight cases (some OtterBox models), confirm compatibility in reviews.

Q: How do I remove the screen protector without damaging the phone? A: Lift from one corner using a thin plastic pry tool (included in the kit) or carefully with a fingernail. Once loosened, the protector peels off easily. The adhesive layer is designed to release cleanly without residue. Never use metal tools.

Q: Does the anti-blue light version affect photo editing or color-critical work? A: Yes — the blue light filter adds a subtle warm tint that affects color accuracy. For photographers, designers, or anyone doing color-critical work, use the standard (clear) version and rely on iPhone’s Night Shift or True Tone settings for blue light reduction instead.

Q: Can I reuse the installation frame from my old pack for new iPhones? A: No — the frame is model-specific and will not align correctly on different iPhone generations. Sharmo handily includes a new frame with each pack.

Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip

Buy if: You want reliable screen protection without paying premium brand prices. You’re tired of misaligned installations with bubbles. You use phones with cases. You want the option of blue light filtering at no additional cost.

Skip if: You demand the absolute best oleophobic coating longevity (get Belkin). You need AR anti-reflective coating. You want full-coverage privacy shielding from all angles. You prefer the strongest possible shatter resistance (get a thicker protector).

Rating: 8.5/10

The Sharmo 9H+ screen protector is a masterclass in delivering premium features at a mass-market price. The ultra-thin 0.18mm profile, easy installation frame, good oleophobic coating, and optional anti-blue light at ¥29 for 2-packs make it an easy recommendation. It may not have the longest-lasting coating or the highest-end glass chemistry of Belkin’s $40 protectors, but for the price, it’s the best-selling screen protector on China’s e-commerce platforms for a reason.