Saw this and had to chime in cuz I literally just finished setting up my S26 Plus yesterday. tbh most people get scared of the install but the ultrasonic sensor tech is actually pretty simple once you get the physics behind it. The reason people complain about the fingerprint sensor failing is usually cuz of poor contact or cheap adhesive that doesnt let the sound waves pass through. You definitely want a UV liquid adhesive kit like amFilm OneTouch Glass Screen Protector for S26 Plus if youre gonna be out doing wildlife shots or travel vlogs in rough spots where TPU just wont cut it. The "visible circle" thing you mentioned is totally an old model issue from back when they used "dot matrix" protectors with a circular cutout of thinner glass... it looked HIDEOUS and barely worked. With the modern UV kits, the liquid glue fills in every microscopic gap between your screen and the glass, basically making them one single piece. This is CRUCIAL for the ultrasonic sensor to read your ridges fast. NGL i was worried about the Whitestone price too, but Whitestone Dome Glass UV Kit for S26 Plus is basically the same tech with a fancier plastic tray that you end up throwing away anyway. Just save your money and go with the amFilm. Pro tip: re-register your fingerprints AFTER the glass is on and turn on the touch sensitivity setting in the display menu or itll drive you crazy... it works FLAWLESSLY if you just take your time with the curing light.

Everyone pushes Whitestone like it’s some holy grail but honestly—it’s mostly marketing and a massive installation headache. I’ve seen so many 'pro' reviews that feel like paid hype—wait, no—they definitely are.

• Get the amFilm OneTouch Glass S26 Plus
• Avoid the Whitestone Dome Glass UV Kit S26 Plus The amFilm sensor response is snappy and that weird circle is ancient history (really), so don't overpay for the brand name.

ngl I was in the same boat when I got mine—literally spent my last paycheck on the phone and didn't want to blow fifty bucks on a piece of glass—but I ended up going down a massive Reddit rabbit hole. ^ This. Also, the thing is, the ultrasonic sensor on these S26 Plus models is basically like a tiny sonar—wait, no, it's more like a radar—that sends sound through the screen, so any tiny air bubble is a death sentence. I eventually found Mowei UV Glass Screen Protector for S26 Plus which is lowkey the best kept secret because it’s way cheaper than Whitestone but gives you like three pieces of glass in the box (thank god, cuz I always mess up the first try). Here’s the deal on making it actually work:

• The "Weight Method": When you're doing the UV cure, put the little weighted cylinder from the kit right over the sensor area for the first 30 seconds. It squeezes the glue thinner right there so the sound waves pass through way better.
• Sensitivity Hack: You gotta go into settings and toggle on 'Touch Sensitivity'—tbh I forgot this at first and thought I'd wasted my money—plus you 100% have to re-register your prints after the glass is cured.
• Level Surface: Make sure you're on a totally flat table. If your desk is even slightly tilted, that liquid adhesive will just slide right off the side before you can even drop the glass on. The "visible circle" thing is totally a relic of the past from those old "dot matrix" protectors—modern UV kits are completely seamless once the glue cures.