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Help! Why can’t I see my cellphone screen through my sunglasses?

We've all been there: it's a bright, sunny day, and you're trying to read a text message or check your email on your smartphone while wearing your fabulous new polarized sunglasses. But suddenly, the screen appears dark, and you can't see a thing. Well before you start cursing out Samsung and throw your phone in the lake, take a second. It’s less to do with your phone and more to do with your polarized sunglasses. In this blog post, we'll explain why this happens and offer some great solutions from Faded Days Sunglasses.

What's the Deal with Polarized Sunglasses?

First, let's understand what makes polarized sunglasses unique. They are designed to reduce glare, especially from surfaces like water, snow, or glass. This is achieved through a special filter that blocks intense, horizontally polarized light, making it easier for you to see and enjoy outdoor activities without squinting.

Why Can't I See My Cellphone Screen?

Smartphone screens, like many other digital displays, emit light polarized in one direction – typically horizontally. When you're wearing polarized sunglasses, the lenses block this horizontally polarized light, causing the screen to appear dark or even black.

Polarized lenses are popular for many reasons, but as a means for looking at your cellphone (or any LCD screen) there are some issues. LCD screens have their own polarizing screen filter, so when you add another filter, (your sunglasses) things get tricky. Here is an awful example of what’s going on-

Hold your hand out in front of your face with your fingers spread wide apart (filter one). Then do the same with your other hand (filter two), and place one hand behind the other. With your fingers perfectly in line you can see what’s behind them. Yet with your fingers misaligned they block your vision. This is a simple example of what’s going on with your smart phone screen filter and your sunglasses filter.

There is a simple fix for this though. Rotate your phone through 90 degrees, (from portrait to landscape or vice versa). Then your screen will pop back to life.

This is also a good test if you have ever wondered, “how do I know if my sunglasses are polarized?” Hold your sunglasses in front of an LCD screen and rotate them. If the screen starts to dim through your sunglasses lens then congratulations. You have yourself a bonafide pair of polarized sunglasses.

Faded Days Sunglasses: Perfect for Everyone

Faded Days Sunglasses offers a variety of stylish and functional polarized sunglasses options, including specific designs for individuals with larger heads or wider faces. Check out these fantastic selections:

  1. Sunglasses for Big Heads
  2. Big Head Sunglasses
  3. Sunglasses for Large Men
  4. Sunglasses for Wide Faces
  5. Sunglasses for Fat Faces
  6. Sunglasses for Men with Big Heads

Ladies, We've Got You Covered Too!

Tips for Using Your Smartphone with Polarized Sunglasses

Here are some helpful tips for using your smartphone while wearing polarized sunglasses:

Adjust the Screen Orientation: Try rotating your phone to a vertical or portrait position. This might change the polarization angle of the emitted light, making it easier to see through your sunglasses.

Increase the Screen Brightness: Maximize your phone's screen brightness to counteract the darkening effect of polarized lenses.

Find Some Shade: Move to a shaded area to reduce the glare and make it easier to see your screen.

Consider Non-Polarized Sunglasses: If you frequently use your phone outdoors and find it challenging to see the screen with polarized lenses, you might consider switching to non-polarized sunglasses.

Popular Polarized Sunglasses Options

 polarized sunglasses

In Conclusion

Polarized sunglasses are fantastic for reducing glare and improving visual comfort in bright conditions. However, they can sometimes make it difficult to see your cellphone screen. By following the tips above or exploring Faded Days Sunglasses' wide range of options, you can enjoy the benefits of polarized sunglasses without sacrificing your ability to stay connected on the go.

Don't forget to check out our Best Polarized Sunglasses for Men and Women collection and find the perfect pair for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers related to using your phone while wearing sunglasses.

How can I see my phone screen with sunglasses?

You can see your phone screen with sunglasses by trying the following tips:

  1. Adjust the screen orientation to a vertical or portrait position.
  2. Increase your phone's screen brightness.
  3. Move to a shaded area to reduce glare.
  4. Consider using non-polarized sunglasses if the problem persists.

Can you wear sunglasses while using your phone?

Yes, you can wear sunglasses while using your phone, but polarized sunglasses may make it more challenging to see the screen due to their glare-reducing properties. Follow the tips mentioned above to improve visibility.

Do polarized sunglasses help with screens?

Polarized sunglasses help reduce glare from reflective surfaces but can make it harder to see screens, such as smartphones or digital displays, as they block horizontally polarized light emitted by these devices.

Why can't I see my phone screen outside?

Seeing your phone screen outside can be difficult due to sunlight reflecting off the screen or the screen's brightness being too low compared to the ambient light. Increase your screen brightness or find a shaded area to improve visibility.

Why is my phone hard to see in sunlight?

Your phone can be hard to see in sunlight because the screen's brightness may not be sufficient to counteract the bright ambient light, making the display appear dim or washed out. Increase your screen brightness or use an anti-glare screen protector to help with visibility in sunlight.

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