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Corning Pits Gorilla Glass 3 Against Sapphire, Plans Reflection Reduction and Antimicrobial Technology
Following Apple's adoption of sapphire crystal as a strong and durable covering for the rear cameras on the iPhone 5 and fifth-generation iPod touch late last year, rumors of expanded uses for the material have gained some traction. Back in March, we covered a report suggesting that sapphire could see wider adoption as coverings for displays on mobile devices, and just last week a sketchy rumor claimed that Apple is planning to use a sapphire-covered capacitive home button with integrated fingerprint sensor for the iPhone 5S.
Amid these discussions of the potential of sapphire, Corning has published a feature outlining why its latest Gorilla Glass 3 is in fact already a better option than sapphire for mobile device displays, citing greater strength, lower weight, less energy cost in production, and significantly lower pricing. And with those features has come widespread adoption, with Corning reporting that over 1.5 billion devices have been made with Gorilla Glass.
Corning also discusses its latest work with Gorilla Glass, noting that the company has already trimmed the materials thickness to the point where it can be curved and shaped without losing strength. Earlier this year, The New York Times reported that Apple was working on a curved glass smart watch, a product that could potentially take advantage of Corning's latest Gorilla Glass advancements.
Going even further, Corning lays out its future plans for Gorilla Glass, sharing that the company is working hard on new versions that reduce reflections for better visibility in bright sunlight and which incorporate antimicrobial technology to minimize the germs which are prevalent on mobile devices.
Amid these discussions of the potential of sapphire, Corning has published a feature outlining why its latest Gorilla Glass 3 is in fact already a better option than sapphire for mobile device displays, citing greater strength, lower weight, less energy cost in production, and significantly lower pricing. And with those features has come widespread adoption, with Corning reporting that over 1.5 billion devices have been made with Gorilla Glass.
Jeffrey W. Evenson, [Corning] senior vice president, remarked, “Discussion seems to center around sapphire as an obvious solution for a cover material. What would people say if someone invented a cover that was about half the weight, used 99 percent less energy to make, provided brighter displays, and cost less than a tenth of sapphire? I think they’d say that sapphire was in real trouble. It so happens that we at Corning already invented that cover – and it’s called Gorilla Glass.” Evenson added that the company’s tests so far indicate Gorilla Glass requires about three times more force to break than sapphire after both materials have received similar wear and tear.
Corning also discusses its latest work with Gorilla Glass, noting that the company has already trimmed the materials thickness to the point where it can be curved and shaped without losing strength. Earlier this year, The New York Times reported that Apple was working on a curved glass smart watch, a product that could potentially take advantage of Corning's latest Gorilla Glass advancements.
Going even further, Corning lays out its future plans for Gorilla Glass, sharing that the company is working hard on new versions that reduce reflections for better visibility in bright sunlight and which incorporate antimicrobial technology to minimize the germs which are prevalent on mobile devices.
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76 months ago
This video seems to be missing the point. Sapphire is used because (in theory) it's harder to scratch, this video just shows it shatters more easily.
76 months ago
They didn't show the results of the scratching.
On a side note, I'm far more concerned about scratches than I am about accidentally placing 96% of my body weight directly on my phone against a small diameter metal surface.
On a side note, I'm far more concerned about scratches than I am about accidentally placing 96% of my body weight directly on my phone against a small diameter metal surface.
76 months ago
Hmmm... Sapphire - about a 9 on the Mohs scale; Gorilla Glass 3 - about a 6.
Glad to see that Corning know how to bias a test to make their produce seem much better than it is, Gorilla Glass is much more flexible, of course it is going to do better in a normal force pressure test. On the other hand, unlike sapphire its less hard than sand, and so scratches like a *****. Who do they think they are fooling? No industry expert is going to watch that and think "that Gorilla Glass 3 really is going to solve our durability problem". Breaking a phone by smashing its screen like they do in the test never ever ever happens. You never get an isolated layer like that which is allowed to deflect to failure. You get an impact on an edge which causes a fast fracture. Its down to phone companies to design smarter to protect the vulnerable edges which are a problem associated with all glasses and pick a material which keeps the surface nice and mirror-clean.
Glad to see that Corning know how to bias a test to make their produce seem much better than it is, Gorilla Glass is much more flexible, of course it is going to do better in a normal force pressure test. On the other hand, unlike sapphire its less hard than sand, and so scratches like a *****. Who do they think they are fooling? No industry expert is going to watch that and think "that Gorilla Glass 3 really is going to solve our durability problem". Breaking a phone by smashing its screen like they do in the test never ever ever happens. You never get an isolated layer like that which is allowed to deflect to failure. You get an impact on an edge which causes a fast fracture. Its down to phone companies to design smarter to protect the vulnerable edges which are a problem associated with all glasses and pick a material which keeps the surface nice and mirror-clean.
76 months ago
That's one sassy gorilla.
I'd be pretty sassy if I carried 3 tablets and a bitchin' smartphone around. He's got cash to spare.
76 months ago
Sapphire is hard, but brittle. Meaning, you wouldn't get any scratches on it but would be prone to shattering from small drops. Also it's insanely expensive to make.
76 months ago
I dunno' about this whole Gorilla Glass thing to be honest. The iPhone 5 has 'Gorilla Glass 2' and I still see loads of the displays being broken. I know it's not invincible but it's not as hard as they make it out to be in these videos.
76 months ago
OMG those cheaters/imposters/fools!
Applying pressure is NOT A VIABLE TEST OF WEAR ENDURANCE!!!
This is ridiculous and surely done on purpose. Any engineer or scientist knows, that the hardest materials are more brittle! If you put a 1mm steel plate against their gorilla glass it'll surely withstand WAY more pressure than 200 pounds, yet it scratches rather easily.
The purpose of using sapphire is to keep the surface scratch free. There is no way their glass can be as good as sapphire. So especially for a camera cover glass sapphire is the best you can get (besides diamond coating).
I hate companies that think I'm stupid.... screw them!
Applying pressure is NOT A VIABLE TEST OF WEAR ENDURANCE!!!
This is ridiculous and surely done on purpose. Any engineer or scientist knows, that the hardest materials are more brittle! If you put a 1mm steel plate against their gorilla glass it'll surely withstand WAY more pressure than 200 pounds, yet it scratches rather easily.
The purpose of using sapphire is to keep the surface scratch free. There is no way their glass can be as good as sapphire. So especially for a camera cover glass sapphire is the best you can get (besides diamond coating).
I hate companies that think I'm stupid.... screw them!
76 months ago
Both products are very good, they just have different advantages.
Sapphire is more resistent to scratching.
Gorilla glass is more resistant to shattering.
Now, how I see it, I would rather have a scratched screen than a shattered one. You can get sapphire crystal screen protectors if you dont want to get scratches on your gorilla glass; or any screen protector for that matter...
If you have a Sapphire screen, sure it won't scratch, but if it shatters you then have to replace the glass and the screen glued onto it. You can live with a scratched screen, but not a broken one. I'm all for gorilla glass in this case...
Sapphire is more resistent to scratching.
Gorilla glass is more resistant to shattering.
Now, how I see it, I would rather have a scratched screen than a shattered one. You can get sapphire crystal screen protectors if you dont want to get scratches on your gorilla glass; or any screen protector for that matter...
If you have a Sapphire screen, sure it won't scratch, but if it shatters you then have to replace the glass and the screen glued onto it. You can live with a scratched screen, but not a broken one. I'm all for gorilla glass in this case...
76 months ago
I dunno' about this whole Gorilla Glass thing to be honest. The iPhone 5 has 'Gorilla Glass 2' and I still see loads of the displays being broken. I know it's not invincible but it's not as hard as they make it out to be in these videos.
Gorilla glass is great for preventing scratches. The issue with shattering has little to do with the glass and more to do with shock absorption. Better shock absorption will help prevent glass shattering. The iPhone 4/4S was absolutely terrible in this regard because it was glass front and back so there was almost zero ability to absorb any of the force when dropped.
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