iPhone 17's Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display Coating Canceled

[MacRumors]

Apple may have canceled the super scratch resistant anti-reflective display coating that it planned to use for the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to a source with reliable information that spoke to MacRumors.

Last spring, Weibo leaker Instant Digital suggested Apple was working on a new anti-reflective display layer that was more scratch resistant than the Ceramic Shield. We haven't heard anything else about an upgraded display coating since then, and it's sounding like that's because it didn't work out.

Apple planned to use the anti-reflective coating for the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max models, which would have made them the first iPhones with an anti-reflective display. Apple ran into problems scaling up the display coating process, and it is currently no longer a planned feature for the iPhone 17 Pro models.

The process for adding the anti-reflective coating to the iPhone display was too slow when taking into account the millions of devices that Apple produces, so even though it was only planned for the Pro models, it still seems that it wasn't feasible this year.

Current iPhone models have a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, but Apple hasn't focused heavily on anti-reflective technology. For the Mac and iPad Pro, Apple offers a nano-texture display that cuts down on glare, but that's not something that has been expanded to the iPhone. It's possible Apple pivoted to nano-texture or a simpler coating, but it's also possible it's just been scrapped entirely for now.

With the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung debuted a Gorilla Glass Armor display panel, which cuts down on reflections by up to 75 percent. The technology improves contrast in bright lighting conditions and makes colors seem more true to life even in the sun or in rooms with bright lights.

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

If the iPhone 17 models don't end up with the planned anti-reflective display properties, Apple could introduce the display improvement in a future iPhone as the manufacturing process improves.

Article Link: iPhone 17's Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display Coating Canceled

 

[KPOM]

That’s too bad. The nano-texture iPad is great and I’d like a similar feature on the iPhone.

 

[MacUser16.]

I was literally begging Apple for this for so long and now they just finna be crushing my hopes and dreams bruh 💔🥀

 

[MAlbi]

How about releasing iphone 17 and promise the coating is coming soon ?

 

[JamesMcFlyJR]

man this would have been one of my biggest upgrades.

samsung has done anti-reflective screens since the S24 Ultra. Almost 2 years when the iPhone 17 launches.

disappointing that apple couldn't figure it out

 

[UpsetTheAppleCart]

Improved scratch resistance would be much appreciated.

 

[acblue94]

Apple may have canceled the super scratch resistant anti-reflective display coating that it planned to use for the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to a source with reliable information that spoke to MacRumors.

Last spring, Weibo leaker Instant Digital suggested Apple was working on a new anti-reflective display layer that was more scratch resistant than the Ceramic Shield. We haven't heard anything else about an upgraded display coating since then, and it's sounding like that's because it didn't work out.

Apple planned to use the anti-reflective coating for the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max models, which would have made them the first iPhones with an anti-reflective display. Apple ran into problems scaling up the display coating process, and it is currently no longer a planned feature for the iPhone 17 Pro models.

The process for adding the anti-reflective coating to the iPhone display was too slow when taking into account the millions of devices that Apple produces, so even though it was only planned for the Pro models, it still seems that it wasn't feasible this year.

Current iPhone models have a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, but Apple hasn't focused heavily on anti-reflective technology. For the Mac and iPad Pro, Apple offers a nano-texture display that cuts down on glare, but that's not something that has been expanded to the iPhone. It's possible Apple pivoted to nano-texture or a simpler coating, but it's also possible it's just been scrapped entirely for now.

With the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung debuted a Gorilla Glass Armor display panel, which cuts down on reflections by up to 75 percent. The technology improves contrast in bright lighting conditions and makes colors seem more true to life even in the sun or in rooms with bright lights.

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

If the iPhone 17 models don't end up with the planned anti-reflective display properties, Apple could introduce the display improvement in a future iPhone as the manufacturing process improves.

Article Link: iPhone 17's Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display Coating Canceled

That Samsung screen colors looks dull.

 

[TechWhisperer]

Apple is probably busy with building new fax machines. Lol.

 

[MRSugarD]

Bummer! It would've been a nice addition to the lineup but I am sure it will come in the foreseeable future.

 

[dannyyankou]

If it wasn't feasible to produce them in a timely manner to keep up with demand, I guess that's a valid excuse. But they need to expand their manufacturing capacity of them and include it on next year's iPhone then. Samsung can pull it off.

 

[mjschabow]

The displays are totally worth it. Had really bad micro-scratches on my last two iPhones but my S25 Ultra is 3 months in with zero blemishes.

 

[Crom!]

I am thinking tariffs, inflation, and moving production to India will cause apple to cut features for the iphone 17. I don't know

 

[120FPS]

Really sad we won't see it this upcoming release. I'm not actually a fan of glossy displays, it was an interesting novelty when they first arrived on laptops, but that quickly wore off once you have to use them in brighter environments.

 

[azentropy]

Probably wasn't going to buy this round anyway, but that is a huge miss as this will be a major improvement.

 

[Blue Nova]

Has this decision come about because of the cost, now that the tariffs are at 145% for China?

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think people forget that Apple makes iPhones in MASSIVE quantities. If a new part becomes too expensive to make they usually drop the idea for financial reasons (for now). I think we may see that anti-reflective coating on the iPhone 18 models due in 2026.

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

How about releasing iphone 17 and promise the coating is coming soon ?

It’ll still be there but it’s in BETA

 

[Kylo83]

just want brighter display

 

[Maxis]

The Nokia Lumia 920 had a marvelous display (2012); you could use it even in bright sunlight, thanks to its ClearBlack technology featured in the flagship models. ClearBlack technology utilized polarizing filters layered within the display, significantly reducing reflections and improving contrast. This made the screen much easier to read outdoors, even under direct sunlight, giving Lumia devices a major advantage over many competitors at the time. It’s something I’ve been waiting to see matched ever since.

Nokia’s ClearBlack Display (CBD): technology explained | OLED-Info

In September 2010, Nokia has announced the ClearBlack Display (CBD) technology. CBD adds a reflection-blocking polarizer layer between the touch layer and the display panel. CBD displays blocks incoming light reflections and so perform better under direct sunlight.

www.oled-info.com

 

[alexandr]

How about releasing iphone 17 and promise the coating is coming soon ?

The coating will come in iOS 19.5.

 

[PsykX]

Wow 75% less reflections, this would be SUCH a good upgrade.
The iPhone really has a problem in tropical countries IMO.
When going on vacation, I more often than not have a hard time taking pictures when there's too much sun. I take a few pictures and cross my fingers that something good will come out of it.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

It's going to be another meh year for the iPhone it seems. All about the cameras again.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Always had a protector on mine so no biggie

 

[klasma]

They should make a mini with that coating. No problems with scaling.

 

[everlast3434]

This would be great. I’m one of those people that doesn’t use a case, and my screen is always pretty scratched up lol.