Modern smartphones have several disadvantages. Primary, typically the battery life. But the second is a fragile expensive screens, which are very easy to scratch or break. To brighten up the situation of the struggling company Corning, which is almost every year produces a new generation of its durable and solid glass below the displays of mobile devices were secure.
The first smartphone with the latest generation of glass Gorilla Glass 6, was introduced this year — it was the OPPO R17. In the next few months to the Chinese manufacturer will join other vendors. At the same time, this technology is already used by Apple: while it does not comment on what safety glass installed in the iPhone Xs iPhone Xs Max, most likely, we are talking about Gorilla Glass 6.
The secret of Corning, and what’s so special about Gorilla Glass that makes it different from other types of glass? The essence lies in the combination of several conditions: the incredible temperatures, a special trough, robots and a “bath” of molten salt. The final product is a thin piece of glass that can withstand very, very much.
Corning takes silicon dioxide (SiO2) and combines it with other chemicals before fusing it into the glass. The result is aluminosilicate glass — it contains aluminum, silicon and oxygen. It also has the sodium ions that will be needed in the next stage of manufacture. Molten glass is poured into a special groove till it starts to pour from the edges of the gutter. Automated manipulators pull the leaves from the edges of the gutter.
Corning then “bathes” the sheets of glass in the bath with ions of potassium, which is heated to 400 degrees Celsius. After this procedure, the aluminosilicate becomes compressed data of the ions. The pressure creates a protective layer and gives it a power not found in ordinary glass.
Scratch resistance does not change the year code, but the resistance to shocks and falls with each generation of Gorilla Glass is growing. According to Corning, the latest generation of their glass can withstand up to 15 drops from a height of one meter. This is two times more than he can endure Gorilla Glass 5. Latest withstand a fall from 1.5 meter height on a rough surface in 80 percent of cases. Gorilla Glass 4 with height less than one meter.
Corning glass is already used by more than 40 manufacturers of smartphones in more than 4.5 billion devices. Corning partners with manufacturers and provides Gorilla Glass as part of the manufacturing process of the product. The ordinary consumer cannot go and buy a sheet of Gorilla Glass, to install it on an already existing device. In this sense, Corning is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The finished product will contain a sheet of Corning, but the final product will have the brand of another company on it.
What kind of safety glass will be installed in a particular smartphone depends on the price segment of the device. For example, many employees do not use Gorilla Glass, so their displays are quickly scratched and become useless at the slightest fall. In smartphones middle segment, you can often find Gorilla Glass fourth generation is also very high quality glass. These devices include Moto Z Motorola, Nokia, and 3 tablets — for example, Lenovo Tab 4 Plus.
Gorilla Glass 5 is already found in smartphones costing 20, 000 and above, including the latest flagship. One of the most inexpensive gadgets with this glass is the Xiaomi Mi A2, and Nokia 8, however, the same technology used in the new Samsung Galaxy S9.
The first smartphone with Gorilla Glass 6 was introduced this year is the OPPO R17. In the next few months to the Chinese manufacturer will join other vendors.
Not only Gorilla
Many manufacturers prefer not to comment on what safety glass they use in their smartphones. Huawei, for example, did not hide his preference 5 Gorilla Glass, but what glass is installed in the new P20 Pro, and remains a mystery. However, many agree that the smartphone is also protected by the fifth generation of Gorilla Glass.
Today more and more smartphones have Gorilla glass, and this glass is not limited to the field of smart phones.