iPhone 17 to Feature New Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display

[MacRumors]

Next year's iPhone 17 will feature an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple's Ceramic Shield found on iPhone 15 models, according to a new rumor out of Asia.

Anti-reflection properties of Galaxy S24 Ultra (bottom) vs. iPhone 15 (Image: IceUniverse)​

Chinese Weibo leaker Instant Digital claimed on Tuesday that the outer glass on the iPhone 17 is set to have a "super-hard anti-reflective layer" that is "more scratch-resistant than you think." The coating equipment has just been handed over to China's supply chain, according to the leaker, but not in time for it to feature in this year's upcoming iPhone 16 series.

"Ceramic Shield" is a marketing name for a glass-ceramic material developed by Corning in collaboration with Apple. Apple says the Ceramic Shield on the iPhone 15 is "tougher than any smartphone glass." Introduced on iPhone 12 models in 2020, Apple advertised the ceramic-infused glass as increasing drop performance by 4x compared to the iPhone 11.

More recently, Samsung debuted its newest Galaxy S24 Ultra, which features a Gorilla Glass Armor display panel, also developed by Corning. According to Corning, the Armor panel cuts reflections by 75 percent compared to a typical glass surface, and is resistant to micro scratches that build up over time on competing glass panels. Corning also claims the panels offer over 4x more scratch resistance than competitive aluminosilicate cover glasses.

It's not clear whether Apple is planning to adopt Gorilla Glass Armor for the iPhone 17, but the description matches the Chinese leaker's claims. Corning could also be supplying Apple with an equivalent technology that will be branded under another name.

• Six Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Corning has been a longtime Apple supplier, with Gorilla Glass used in devices across Apple's product lineup. In 2021, Apple said it had invested a combined $495 million to support Corning's ongoing research and development into "state-of-the-art glass processes," which led to the creation of Ceramic Shield.

Article Link: iPhone 17 to Feature New Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display

 

[Sensamic]

Wow. That difference is huge.

 

[tomtad]

iPhone 17! 😂😂

Samsung already has it

 

[JosephAW]

My MBP used to have an antireflective coating too, how’d that work out?

 

[StellarVixen]

Both have their upsides and downsides.

Glossy displays: higher sharpness but reflections are problem

Matte displays: no reflections, but lower sharpness (it looks fuzzy)

 

[klasma]

IPhones used to be more scratch resistant, but they traded it against shatter resistance at some point. Maybe they are trading it back now.

 

[kenny7]

Both have their upsides and downsides.

Glossy displays: higher sharpness but reflections are problem

Matte displays: no reflections, but lower sharpness (it looks fuzzy)

iPhone 17 won’t have matte display. It will have better anti-reflective coating, similar to S24 Ultra.

 

[d5aqoëp]

In their infinite chase for product margins and trying to squeeze last drop out of outdated technology, Apple has lost their way. They are now playing catch-up for almost everything.

 

[kenny7]

My biggest pet peeve is mirror like reflections on device screens. I will definitely upgrade to iPhone 17 just for anti-reflective screen.

 

[frifra]

It will be „more scratch resistant than you think“.


I don think so.

 

[HackMacDaddy]

Both have their upsides and downsides.

Glossy displays: higher sharpness but reflections are problem

Matte displays: no reflections, but lower sharpness (it looks fuzzy)

The Samsungs display is not matte. 😂 This isn't 2012. Have you looked at the comparisons? The Galaxy is miles ahead of iPhones display.

 

[Motawa]

I don't care because I put on a screen protector anyways, which will diminish the anti reflective

 

[lk400]

Hopefully better than whatever lamination they have used on the last few iPhone and watch models is.

I never had a problem with small scratches (and never broke a screen) since the original iPhone, yet those couple of models have just attracted scratches from the smallest of things.

 

[SmugMaverick]

In their infinite chase for product margins and trying to squeeze last drop out of outdated technology, Apple has lost their way. They are now playing catch-up for almost everything.

100% correct.

They use to lead in so many areas but the last few years have been nothing but reactionary from Tim.

They're always chasing Google, Samsung or some Chinese brand they helped get banned in the US.

Instead, they think sticking ANOTHER button on the phone or using the same design for 6 years will cover for innovation.

Of course the sheep will buy whatever they churn out, meaning they continue to drag behind.

Apple stinks of old men penny pinching.

 

[zakarhino]

In their infinite chase for product margins and trying to squeeze last drop out of outdated technology, Apple has lost their way. They are now playing catch-up for almost everything.

Generally true but keep in mind Apple's volume of iPhone shipments at launch and throughout the year is giant. The supply of relatively new (consumer ready) tech Samsung can secure for a flagship like the S24 Ultra will be a lot less than what Apple needs for the a Pro and Pro Max launch. I remember reading something about this a few years ago on MR.

 

[giggles]

Supposedly the 17 Pro will also switch to a polarizer-less display design (by Samsung).
Gonna be an interesting year in terms of the display getting thinner, brighter and more power efficient.
I wonder if the polarizer-less design actually kinda requires the added antireflectiveness of the new coating.

 

[MayaUser]

what about iphone 18? sapphire crystal again rumoured

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Shouldn’t this be on an iPhone 16 to match what others are doing ‘NOW’, not 1.5 years away???

 

[MarcoPohlo]

At least Apple Watch Ultra this year? This thing is like a mirror.

 

[Alex Cai]

My MBP used to have an antireflective coating too, how’d that work out?

But it is not durable. It would come off quick if you scratch and swipe it everyday.

 

[tridley68]

A welcome feature 👍

 

[darngooddesign]

Ceramicer Shield

Improvements to the screen coating as always appreciated, too bad it wont be on 16 when I upgrade.

 

[phenste]

this would be enough to get me to upgrade from my 14PM (lol at me writing 15PM and not realizing till 9 hours later). it’s my own fault for not getting a screen protector, but holy f—k the hairline scratches on my screen…it’s been worse than pre-CS models (which makes sense, that technology was the peak of them saying “we care more about shatter resistance than scratch resistance [reasonably so]”) unless we go back to like…the 6s.

also, anti-reflective displays are one of the biggest things I miss from Apple across their product line (mainly as a BTO option for MBPs, but many here who owned a classic Cinema Display likely also feel me)—given how impressive PDXDR’s anti-reflective coating is, I have high hopes. (just don’t charge $200 extra for it please and thanks Tim 😂)

 

[Rychiar]

Hopefully better than whatever lamination they have used on the last few iPhone and watch models is.

I never had a problem with small scratches (and never broke a screen) since the original iPhone, yet those couple of models have just attracted scratches from the smallest of things.

My series 9 seems just as durable as my 5 and 2 were

 

[Rychiar]

And I’d still put a glass screen protector on it anyways lol