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The iPhone 4S does not use Corning Gorilla Glass

B

b24pgg

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 28, 2009
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EDIT (3/05/2012): Well based on this post it turns out I'm wrong :eek:

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This appears to be a common misconception.

iPhone iterations prior to the iPhone 4 used Corning Gorilla Glass, as evidenced on page 471 of the Steve Jobs biography.

With the iPhone 4, Apple began using Lens Technology International to manufacture their aluminosilicate glass. This was the supplier responsible for the white iPhone 4 delay.

Furthermore, Corning's Gorilla Glass website does not list the iPhone as a product.
 
Last edited:
SGMD1 said:
Furthermore, Corning's Gorilla Glass website does not list the iPhone as a product.
Click to expand...

From the link: "Due to customer agreements, we cannot identify all devices that feature Gorilla Glass."

I'm not saying if they do or don't, but it's silly to use a website that clearly states that they don't list all products as proof that they don't.
 
cyks said:
From the link: "Due to customer agreements, we cannot identify all devices that feature Gorilla Glass."

I'm not saying if they do or don't, but it's silly to use a website that clearly states that they don't list all products as proof that they don't.
Click to expand...
I agree that by itself, it wouldn't serve as proof. That's why I included the additional link regarding Lens Technology International.
 
I just looked in to that link for 'Lens Technology International' and it looks like they just do coatings for plastic/glass/metal. Nothing there says that they weren't used to put a coating on Corning Gorilla Glass. I'm thinking that they were used either for the color coat under the glass or possibly for the oleophobic coating on top.
 
P Mentior said:
I just looked in to that link for 'Lens Technology International' and it looks like they just do coatings for plastic/glass/metal.
Click to expand...
From the Engadget article:
According to Chinese newspaper 21st Century Business Herald, the problem stems from a little-known Chinese factory by the name of Lens Technology, which is apparently responsible for transforming fine raw glass into the majority of iPhone glass panels out there (and contrary to previous reports, there's no mention of Corning here).
Click to expand...
and:
According to a project feasibility report published by Lens in 2006, its glass manufacturing process involves the following steps: developing the tooling, cutting the raw material (mainly sourced from Germany, Switzerland and Japan), fine-milling using CNC (computed numerically controlled) machines, sanding the edges, polishing, strengthening, cleaning, coating, screen printing, baking, anti-shatter treatment, assembling, and packaging.
Click to expand...
 
I read somewhere its the same tempered glass type used in military helicopters to withstand abuse.
 
asen89 said:
I read somewhere its the same tempered glass type used in military helicopters to withstand abuse.
Click to expand...
Correct; that's from Apple's iPhone 4 design page:
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. 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.
Click to expand...
 
asen89 said:
I read somewhere its the same tempered glass type used in military helicopters to withstand abuse.
Click to expand...

I hope this isn't the case because these military helicopters aren't scratch resistant at all then. The iPhone has very poor scratch resistant when you compare it to Android phones with gorilla glass.

Everyone that says their screen is in perfection condition but doesn't use a screen protector is lying. You'll see hairless scratches when you reflect the screen off light.
 
Actually I do not use a screen protector and carry it around in my back pack, 4 months, still no scratches *knocks wood*
 
I don't know what they use but I want it on everything. I've had the iPhone 4 since get-go, without a case, in bags with keys, sharp objects, heavy pointed poking things, and it's scratch free.

Corning? ;)
 
jekyoo said:
I hope this isn't the case because these military helicopters aren't scratch resistant at all then. The iPhone has very poor scratch resistant when you compare it to Android phones with gorilla glass.

Everyone that says their screen is in perfection condition but doesn't use a screen protector is lying. You'll see hairless scratches when you reflect the screen off light.
Click to expand...

Those 'hairless' scratches (you mean 'hairline') are actually in the oleophobic coating, not the glass. It's easy to scratch the coating, but these only show up in reflections. The glass beneath is a lot harder to damage.
 
SGMD1 said:
From the Engadget article:

Quote:
According to Chinese newspaper 21st Century Business Herald, the problem stems from a little-known Chinese factory by the name of Lens Technology, which is apparently responsible for transforming fine raw glass into the majority of iPhone glass panels out there (and contrary to previous reports, there's no mention of Corning here).
Click to expand...

I was just going by what I found at the link you posted. There is no mention of glass making only coatings for plastics, glass, and metal.
 
I'm amazed that people still claim iPhone uses Gorilla Glass. If you'd ever seen any of the countless videos on the subject you'd know Gorilla glass does not shatter. The iPhone screen does. Simple as that.
 
BlindMellon said:
I'm amazed that people still claim iPhone uses Gorilla Glass. If you'd ever seen any of the countless videos on the subject you'd know Gorilla glass does not shatter. The iPhone screen does. Simple as that.
Click to expand...
Exactly. I thought it was common knowledge as well but I keep seeing posts here referring to iPhone Gorilla Glass...hence this thread
 
BlindMellon said:
I'm amazed that people still claim iPhone uses Gorilla Glass. If you'd ever seen any of the countless videos on the subject you'd know Gorilla glass does not shatter. The iPhone screen does. Simple as that.
Click to expand...

Yup, Gorilla Glass doesn't shatter....except that it does: (Dell Streak)

I have no idea whether the 4 and 4S have Gorilla Glass or not, but the original iPhone, and very likely the 3G and 3Gs, most certainly did. (Steve Jobs bio, where Jobs specifically said Corning Gorilla Glass was used in the original iPhone).
 
BlindMellon said:
I'm amazed that people still claim iPhone uses Gorilla Glass. If you'd ever seen any of the countless videos on the subject you'd know Gorilla glass does not shatter. The iPhone screen does. Simple as that.
Click to expand...

While the iPhone does not use gorilla glass, it is stupid to say that gorilla glass does not shatter.

my BRAND NEW HTC Vivid with corning gorilla glass shattered today...
Now I have to go beg to AT&T ;)
 
SGMD1 said:
SquareTrade reported that iPhone 4 glass (non-Gorilla) broke 82 percent more than iPhone 3GS glass (Gorilla), so my guess would be that they switched to Lens because it was cheaper.
Click to expand...

Interesting, do you know if they normalized the data (i.e. 82% more reports for the same number of owners), or if it's skewed by a higher number of iphone4's with SquareTrade warranties vs 3GS?

The linked article doesn't say which way they based the 82% figure.
 
deeddawg said:
Interesting, do you know if they normalized the data (i.e. 82% more reports for the same number of owners), or if it's skewed by a higher number of iphone4's with SquareTrade warranties vs 3GS?
Click to expand...
They compared the % of insured 3GS owners with the % of insured 4 owners who filed broken glass claims.
 
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