For those who were waiting patiently for Apple to fully utilize the features of sapphire glass in it gadgets, you may be for a disappointment. A new display panel protective technology called by its maker Corning as "Project Phire" just gave Apple a solid reason to totally abandon the use of sapphire as glass coating for the iPhone 6s.
Corning, of course, is the name behind the Gorilla Glass that flagship smartphone makers, Apple and Androids alike, use to guard against screen dents and scratches. Recently, the same company unveiled the Gorilla Glass 4 that supposedly will make devices under its protection virtually free from scuffs and even shatter-proof.
The iPhone maker, however, seemed determined until late 2014 to use sapphire and render its smartphone the most durable device in the market. The company was prevented only by the surprise financial collapse of its supplier – the GT Advanced Technologies. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ended up sticking with Corning.
It could be the case this year but Corning is saying in a new report that Apple could opt to take advantage of the glassmaker’s composite material developed "Project Phire." Like the latest Gorilla Glass protector, "Project Phire" is designed to withstand drops that will make the device coated by the material nearly shatter proof.
"Project Phire" will blanket a device with a thin film that will leave it scratch-free for the entire lifespan of the product, CNET said in a report.
"We created a product that offers the same superior damage resistance and drop performance of Gorilla Glass 4 with scratch resistance that approaches sapphire," Corning told CNET. But the edge of "Project Phire" over sapphire is it is as solid as Gorilla Glass in terms of making the iPhone, for instance, drop resistant.
Such two-pronged glass protection could finally convince to ditch sapphire and pick "Project Phire" for the next iPhone. Corning appears confident that its bet will end up the winner as Project is more cost-efficient while remains too pricey even for mass production as attested by the GT Advanced bankruptcy.
And the best part is, per Corning’s hints, "Project Phire" will be in the ready-to-use stage by latter part of 2015, theoretically a suitable schedule for the iPhone 6s touchdown. Note, however, that if the iPhone 6 sequel is pegged for release date in September or October, production will start by early June or July – that would mean Corning will need to advance its availability by a few months.
Corning, of course, is the name behind the Gorilla Glass that flagship smartphone makers, Apple and Androids alike, use to guard against screen dents and scratches. Recently, the same company unveiled the Gorilla Glass 4 that supposedly will make devices under its protection virtually free from scuffs and even shatter-proof.
The iPhone maker, however, seemed determined until late 2014 to use sapphire and render its smartphone the most durable device in the market. The company was prevented only by the surprise financial collapse of its supplier – the GT Advanced Technologies. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ended up sticking with Corning.
It could be the case this year but Corning is saying in a new report that Apple could opt to take advantage of the glassmaker’s composite material developed "Project Phire." Like the latest Gorilla Glass protector, "Project Phire" is designed to withstand drops that will make the device coated by the material nearly shatter proof.
"Project Phire" will blanket a device with a thin film that will leave it scratch-free for the entire lifespan of the product, CNET said in a report.
"We created a product that offers the same superior damage resistance and drop performance of Gorilla Glass 4 with scratch resistance that approaches sapphire," Corning told CNET. But the edge of "Project Phire" over sapphire is it is as solid as Gorilla Glass in terms of making the iPhone, for instance, drop resistant.
Such two-pronged glass protection could finally convince to ditch sapphire and pick "Project Phire" for the next iPhone. Corning appears confident that its bet will end up the winner as Project is more cost-efficient while remains too pricey even for mass production as attested by the GT Advanced bankruptcy.
And the best part is, per Corning’s hints, "Project Phire" will be in the ready-to-use stage by latter part of 2015, theoretically a suitable schedule for the iPhone 6s touchdown. Note, however, that if the iPhone 6 sequel is pegged for release date in September or October, production will start by early June or July – that would mean Corning will need to advance its availability by a few months.
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