Corning's Gorilla Glass 4 Promises Stronger Protection for Falls Onto Rough Surfaces

Corning today unveiled its new Gorilla Glass 4, its next-generation glass production that is even more resistant than previous versions to glass shattering drops. According to Corning, the company extensively studied shattered screens to understand how and why they break.

gorilla-glass4

Corning scientists examined hundreds of broken devices and found that damage caused by sharp contact accounted for more than 70 percent of field failures. The scientists then developed new drop-test methods that simulate real-world break events, based on thousands of hours analyzing cover glass that had broken in the field or laboratory.

The culmination of this testing was Gorilla Glass 4, which reportedly is two times stronger than competing products and can survive 80 percent of face-down falls onto rough surfaces such as sandpaper. The company also claims the glass retains most of its initial strength following a shatter-free fall.


Corning is long-time supplier for Apple, providing the Cupertino company with Gorilla Glass for its iPhone and iPad lineup. Apple considered using the scratch-resistant sapphire for its iPhone display, but its partnership with GT Advanced fell apart when the supplier declared bankruptcy earlier this year.

Corning says product shipments of Gorilla Glass 4 to customers are already underway, making it a strong candidate for inclusion on next year's iOS devices should sapphire remain an infeasible option.

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Top Rated Comments

macduke Avatar
139 months ago
The culmination of this testing was Gorilla Glass 4, which reportedly is two times stronger than competing products and can survive 80 percent of face-down falls onto rough surfaces such as sandpaper.

FINALLY. Now my iPhone will survive all of those drops onto inconveniently placed sandpaper while I'm running around town.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eduardo1971 Avatar
139 months ago
Ahh, what a cute gorilla.

I want to take it home as a pet.

Oh, wait. What is this article about?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bennibeef Avatar
139 months ago
FINALLY. Now my iPhone will survive all of those drops onto inconveniently placed sandpaper while I'm running around town.

yeah I dont get why they did not put a piece of asphalt or concrete on the bottom of their fancy new machine...
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Refurbished_ Avatar
139 months ago
I was looking up images of sandpaper, when I found these inspirational words by Chris Colfer. I'm not sure how this relates to the story, but I thought it would be helpful to those with Samsung devices.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
El Hikaru Avatar
139 months ago
I admire people like them, continue challenging to a higher standard.
This is an obvious contrast to the other supplier who sold out his own company.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WardC Avatar
139 months ago
Corning Gorilla Glass™ 4 -- for Super-Paranoid Gorillas!

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)