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Corning, Provider of iPhone and iPad Glass, Announces Stronger and More Scratch Resistant Gorilla Glass 3

Thursday January 3, 2013 1:25 pm PST by Jordan Golson
Corning, provider of the Kentucky-made glass for the iPhone and iPad, has announced the third iteration of its Gorilla Glass panels. The glass both reduces scratches and increases overall strength significantly.

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Gorilla Glass 3 has been improved at the molecular level, incorporating a proprietary feature called Native Damage Resistance (NDR). According to Corning, NDR reduces the propagation of flaws, the appearance of scratches and does a better job of maintaining the overall retained strength of the glass. As a result, GG3 claims a three-fold improvement in scratch resistance, 40 percent reduction in the number of visible scratches and 50 percent boost in retained strength after the glass becomes flawed.
Gorilla Glass was mentioned in the Steve Jobs biography with Jobs personally calling Corning Glass CEO Wendell Weeks, before the first iPhone launched, to request the company begin to scale production of Gorilla Glass for the device.

Gorilla Glass 2 was announced at CES last year. It seems likely that Apple will adopt the improved glass for future iOS devices.

Corning will also announce new optical Thunderbolt cables, available in lengths up to 30 meters. Earlier this week, Japanese firm Sumitomo Electric Industries announced its own optical Thunderbolt cables.

[ 98 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

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Renzatic
89 months ago
That's the most smug looking gorilla I've ever seen in my entire life.

Yeah, you just think you're cool, gorilla.
Rating: 37 Votes
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Kissaragi
89 months ago

Apple uses Gorilla Glass? I swear Apple devices scratch like butter compared to Android and Windows Phone devices.


You'd be wrong then wouldn't you.
Rating: 24 Votes
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ZacNicholson
89 months ago
good im tired of breaking my phone when im drunk
Rating: 13 Votes
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Glassed Silver
89 months ago

The more scratch-resistant it is, the easier it is to shatter the phone...I wish Apple would go back to glass that scratches easily but doesn't shatter if you drop the phone. I'd rather pay for a screen protector than an Otterbox.


We need the downvote back, because that is a load of bull right there.

The scratch resistance is NOT due to the material, but due to the coating.
Coating doesn't do anything to the flexibility and hence shatter probability and severeness of a material.

Glassed Silver:mac
Rating: 11 Votes
Avatar
arn
89 months ago

Does Apple use it? Based on gorilla glass's site, they don't.


http://www.apple.com/about/job-creation/

Corning employees in Kentucky and New York who create the majority of the glass for iPhone
Rating: 11 Votes
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w00t951
89 months ago
Apple uses Gorilla Glass? I swear Apple devices scratch like butter compared to Android and Windows Phone devices.
Rating: 10 Votes
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Samuriajackon
89 months ago
Gorilla!

:)
Rating: 9 Votes
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slicecom
89 months ago

Does Apple use it? Based on gorilla glass's site, they don't.


Not only does every iOS device use it, Gorilla Glass on portable devices basically exists because of Steve Jobs going to Corning and asking them to develop glass for the original iPhone.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Bathplug
89 months ago
What about Gorilla anodized aluminum?
Rating: 8 Votes
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LastMinuteMike
89 months ago
Nice.

Nice news!

While I have shattered the back of my iPhone once (I was drunk and running, give me a break) I feel scratch resistance should be the number one priority.

While only some users will shatter their phones, basically everyone who doesn't use a screen protector will scratch up their phone.

Personally I don't use cases since I hate fuglifying and bulking up my phone. Same goes for screen protectors, there is no way to apply them perfectly, so you end up with a beauty mark. I also feel they alter the tactile sensation of the screen negatively.
Rating: 7 Votes

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