According to recent rumors, the upcoming iPhone 17 series is poised to feature a screen that surpasses the durability and anti-reflective properties of the Ceramic Shield found in the iPhone 15 models. Industry insider Instant Digital claims that the iPhone 17's outer glass will be exceptionally hard and equipped with an anti-reflective layer, making it significantly more resilient than previously thought. Furthermore, it's reported that the coating equipment has recently been delivered to China's supply chain, indicating that this advanced screen technology won't make it in time for this year's iPhone 16 series but will debut in the iPhone 17 lineup.
Ceramic Shield, a collaborative innovation between Apple and Corning, integrates ceramic into glass to offer unparalleled durability among smartphone screens. First introduced with the iPhone 12 series in 2020, Apple claimed that this ceramic-infused glass was four times more resistant to drops compared to the glass used in the iPhone 11.
In comparison, Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra utilizes Corning's Gorilla Glass Armor for its display panel. This Armor panel is designed to reduce reflections by up to 75% compared to standard glass surfaces and offers enhanced resistance against micro-scratches that typically accumulate over time. Corning also asserts that their panels are four times more scratch-resistant compared to traditional aluminosilicate glasses. There's speculation that Apple could adopt Gorilla Glass Armor, or a similarly robust material under a different name, for the iPhone 17 series.
Corning has been a longstanding supplier for Apple, providing the protective glass for its devices. It is well-documented that Apple has invested millions of dollars into Corning, with a total announced investment of $495 million in 2021. This ongoing partnership highlights Apple's commitment to ensuring that the screens of its devices are not only visually stunning but also exceptionally durable and resistant to everyday wear and tear.
