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Apple has stripped the wraps off its new iPhone 12 lineup today, and a standout feature is a new ceramic-hardened display called Ceramic Shield, available on the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Apple says Ceramic Shield is “stronger than any smartphone glass,” with four times the resistance to damage from drops.
Apple is not the first smartphone maker to incorporate a ceramic hob. The Essential Phone, Xiaomi’s Mi Mix series, and Samsung’s Galaxy S10 Plus have ceramic panels, but they are located on the back of the phone (optional on the Galaxy). However, by using glass ceramic for the screen, Apple can claim a higher utility for customers. After all, protecting your screen from breaking is more important than protecting the back of your phone.
According to the glass-ceramic manufacturer Corning, with whom Apple worked on Ceramic Shield, the glass-ceramic is a material that stands out because it is strong, lightweight and “practically impervious to heat and electricity.”
The company counts The edge that the new Ceramic Shield is “the world’s first transparent and colorless glass-ceramic”, which is probably why it is now suitable for a smartphone screen. Here is a more extensive explanation from the company:
Corning’s new material consists of nano ceramic crystals embedded in the glass matrix. The crystals embedded in the glass matrix are an order of magnitude smaller than the wavelength of light and their index coincides with that of glass. This makes the material very transparent, unlike other glass ceramics. In addition, the crystals form interlocking structures that result in high resistance to defects and provide a mechanism to deflect and stop cracks. The glass matrix is strengthened by ion exchange to provide a high degree of retained strength after damage.
All of that sounds great, but we’ll be curious to see how these displays stand up to real life. As any smartphone owner knows, manufacturers can speak a big game about tougher displays, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be silently praying to God when you hand over your phone after an unexpected drop test.
Other great features coming to the new iPhone 12 lineup include 5G connectivity, OLED displays, updated processors, and a revamped industrial design with flattened metal wheels (which looks a lot like older iPhone 4 phones).
Update, 5:21 pm ET: Added additional information from Corning.
