If rumours can be believed, Apple is set to release a new iPhone this fall –equipped with a durable and resilient synthetic sapphire glass screen. If this fancy new screen performs as expected, Apple may just deliver a scratch- and shatter-resistant phone (leaked videos indicate that torsion force isn’t even a problem). Fortunately for Android OEMs, Kyocera has an innovation of their own: Sapphire Shield.
Sapphire is a desirable material because it is incredibly strong, second only to diamonds. Natural sapphires have a blue hue, but lab-created sapphires can be created without the offending chemicals and result in a fully clear material. Aside from being an incredibly durable panel, Sapphire Shield is also affordable to mass produce (something that has always prevented the use of these materials in the past).
Until these new screens are actually in place so they can be tested and tried by users, we won’t be certain which is better –but the idea of having a smartphone (or wearable) that is more difficult to break will appeal to every person that owns one (but may be less appealing for the manufacturers of heavy-duty cases).
Jillian Koskie is an experienced software developer, content writer, project manager and usability design expert. With over 17 years in these roles, Jillian has enjoyed applying her skill-set to assist clients and users across a wide variety of sectors including: legal, health, and financial services. Combining these professional opportunities with a love of technology, Jillian is pleased to contribute articles, opinions, and advice to numerous news outlets, websites, and publications.