Apple's next iPhone: Gorilla Glass or sapphire?
Deciding which iPhone to buy could prove much more difficult, assuming that a new report from analyst and GTAT investor Matt Margolis turns out to be correct.
On Thursday, the analyst said that all 5.5-inch “iPhone 6” models will come with sapphire screens, while the 4.7-inch model will get either sapphire or Gorilla Glass depending on the specification. His assessment was first shared with 9to5Mac.
Margolis notes:
According to sources close to Foxconn’s manufacturing operations the iPhone 6 will come built with sapphire cover screens in both sizes. These sources have also indicated that the 4.7” Phone 6 is being assembled in two varieties, a sapphire cover screen version and a version featuring Gorilla Glass. At this point I do not know the approximate mix between the two cover screen options on the 4.7” iPhone 6. My latest check on the 5.5” iPhone 6 indicates that all units of the device are expected to come protected by a sapphire cover screen at this point …
Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal said that only Apple’s long-rumored 5.5-inch iPhone 6 would feature sapphire glass. This latest rumor is the first to indicate that at least one 4.7-inch model would also be available with the stronger material.
Current iPhones feature displays made from Corning’s Gorilla Glass, with sapphire glass only covering the camera lens and Touch ID fingerprint reader of the iPhone 5s. Sapphire may also be used on Apple’s “iWatch.”
Apple is expected to unveil the next-generation device at a media event on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
See also: Report: Apple is planning to introduce an ‘iWatch’ along with the ‘iPhone 6′ on Sept. 9, Our annual iPhone trade-in guide, ‘iPhone 6’ release date and more, and Further proof that Apple’s next iPhone will support NFC.
