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That doesn't show strength at all. A piece of paper can bend further than that. What it shows is it's flexibility, which compared to glass, is pretty fantastic. But that photo is nothing more than fluff, because it's a property that will never be of use in a stiff form like a phone.

Well glass is a pretty strong material, one of the hardest materials there is, but it's more brittle than plastic. Honestly if they can get glass to be flexible like that without cracking, I think this will be a really resistant material. I've dropped my iphone on cement multiple times, face down about half of those occasions, and it hasn't shattered. The plastic back has cracked though. Now I'm not saying that the standard glass that is used on present iPhones is invincible, I've seen a few unlucky souls with shattered screens. But the fact is glass is much more resistant material than people expect, and with whatever manufacturing techniques they have added to these new panels, I think it will be at least more resistant than plastic to cracks.
 
No one ever said it's scratch proof. It's softer than diamond or synthetic sapphire, and neither of those are scratch proof.

Those are your words. He said we don't need to worry about it anymore. Which means, in your normal use of the phone, you will never be able to scratch it, so don't bother worrying about it.
 
I carry mine in my pocket with just a gell case. never any scratches on the screen of my 3g or on the back same with the 3gs. mt pockets contain sawdust on a regular basis. never a scratch really in a year on the 3g.
 
No one ever said it's scratch proof. It's softer than diamond or synthetic sapphire, and neither of those are scratch proof.

Or more commonly, quartz, which is found in sand, your iPhone can be scratched by sand. The only time I worry about scratches is when I am at the beach. But again, compared to plastic, glass is an amazingly resistant material.
 
It seems pretty strong:

06-08-10iphoneglass.jpg
Clearly photoshopped. :rolleyes:
 
I find it funny that this is what is being used as the "glass". I just watched a special on the History channel last week about this new material. Its sapphire melted down at about 2000 degrees. So its normally blue, but once melted and poured into a block it becomes clear. Then each piece is cut off the block, as thin as you need it. You can get this 10 times thinner than glass and still won't crack or be brittle like glass is. Quite amazing stuff. I'm putting the invisible shield on both sides and it will be perfect!

I'm with you. I've put the invisible shield on each of my iPhones...and will, despite the sturdiness of the glass, do it with this one, too.
 
Sounds strong enough but I lost of a bit of confidence when Apple announced that they would be selling their own cases. They pulled screen protectors from the store because they implied that the screens were easily scratched so what does this imply?

I'll probably end up using a case anyway so this doesn't matter much to me.
 
Sounds strong enough but I lost of a bit of confidence when Apple announced that they would be selling their own cases. They pulled screen protectors from the store because they implied that the screens were easily scratched so what does this imply?

I'll probably end up using a case anyway so this doesn't matter much to me.

I was under the impression their cases only went around the edge, and didnt really cover/protect the back/front.

My theory is that the cases was an easy way for them to have 'multiple colours' without really making multiple colour iPhones.

IMO: The cases will be like iPod socks and will sell loads!
 
Someone needs a visit to Corning Glass Works in upstate New York for an education on the strength and flexibility of glass...

Many folks don't even realize the tiles on the space shuttle are made with glass. Fiber optics are also glass.

Corning Glass Works: http://www.cmog.org/
 
"All the breakthrough technology in iPhone 4 is situated between two glossy panels of aluminosilicate glass — the same type of glass used in the windshields of helicopters and high-speed trains.

Except that it's probably 1/4" thick and laminated to something else in the helo, and at least 1" thick in the high-speed train. :)

Chemically strengthened to be 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic, the glass is ultradurable and more scratch resistant than ever. It’s also recyclable."

Sounds like they're using Gorilla Glass by Corning.
 
Like all tempered glass, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Dropping it just right still can cause the infamous spider-web but apple does use some pretty decent glass so hopefully with a full front of glass, it will not increase the weakness (the edge of tempered glass is quite weak, so hitting that will cause it to shatter).
 
Like all tempered glass, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Dropping it just right still can cause the infamous spider-web but apple does use some pretty decent glass so hopefully with a full front of glass, it will not increase the weakness (the edge of tempered glass is quite weak, so hitting that will cause it to shatter).

This is what I'm worried about. I couldn't care less if it's flexible. I just don't want it to shatter upon hitting the ground. I want it to be able to withstand a collision with cement.
 
This is what I'm worried about. I couldn't care less if it's flexible. I just don't want it to shatter upon hitting the ground. I want it to be able to withstand a collision with cement.

Exactly, which is probably why I'll invest in a case once Incase manufactures it.
 
Sounds like they're using Gorilla Glass by Corning.

Gorilla Glass has been pretty good for me since the Motorola Droid I have uses it. I've been hard on this phone and there are kincks and scuffs all over it. it looks terrible. :(

It spite of how bad I've handled this phone, the screen is still flawless without a scuff in sight. If the new iPhone has it, it'll be the first iPhone I've owned without worrying about a screen protector (and I've owned them all).
 
iPhone 4 drop test - results

Here are some pics of a drop test we performed on the new iPhone 4 at our shop. Enjoy :-D

We here at iFixYouri did a little science experiment the other day. Many people have been talking that the new iPhone has strong glass, less prone to scratching, 30 times stronger than plastic, etc. Will the new glass prove to be ultra strong and never break?

I'm going to go with a no on this one. Why may you ask? They do say that it is 30 times stronger than plastic, and there is a video of it bending. Bending, yes. They did also state that the iPhone 3Gs Glass was stronger when that came out as well. It may bend more, but can it handle shock and sudden impact, that is the real question. That is what causes 95% of glass shattering. Not because you bent the glass in your pocket, not because you dropped it and it bent, but really because of sudden impact.

Land it flat on the ground, and it will smash. We have evidence. Before i show you the evidence, I am going to point out a design flaw that will bite them in the future. On the new iPhone, the glass basically sits on top of the aluminum frame. On the old iphone, it was recessed and protected by a chrome bezel.

We have a full iPhone 4(minus the circuit board), here at our shop and decided to do a little drop test. This drop was performed from 3.5 ft up. Mind you that these parts ARE original apple parts. Laser etched and all. The iPhone 4 did survive 2 drops, as expected, but on the 3rd drop there was a loud POP, and yet again, shattered glass.

photo3copy.jpg

photo4copy.jpg
 
Were you able to try and scratch testing before you dropped it?

Any suggestions on a case design?
 
Were you able to try and scratch testing before you dropped it?

Any suggestions on a case design?

We can do a scratch test today and post the results later today.

As for case design, we'd recommend something that comes up and over the glass...something that adds a 'lip' of some sort to front of the phone.
 
We can do a scratch test today and post the results later today.

As for case design, we'd recommend something that comes up and over the glass...something that adds a 'lip' of some sort to front of the phone.

Cool thanks. I've used the incase sliders on my two previous iPhones. I'm looking at the Uncommon custom cases as well.
 
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