5 years in the past, Apple launched the Ceramic Defend, a brand new glass formulation that promised 4 occasions higher drop efficiency than what it had used on earlier fashions. Apple additional improved this with final yr’s iPhone 16 lineup, claiming the most recent glass was twice as sturdy because the glass discovered on another smartphone and 50% harder than the unique Ceramic Defend.
Now, it appears like Apple could also be planning to take that up one other notch with this yr’s iPhone 17 Professional fashions.
We heard very early rumors that Apple was engaged on a extra scratch-resistant and antireflective glass for the iPhone 17 in March 2024. Nevertheless, issues obtained quiet after that till this April,when a brand new report from MacRumors steered Apple was having issues with the method, suggesting that the characteristic would possibly go the way in which of the iPhone 15 Professional’s haptic buttons and be nixed.
The issue, the supply stated, was that Apple couldn’t apply the show coating course of quick sufficient to maintain up with the thousands and thousands of iPhones it could must manufacture. So, slightly than slowing down the manufacturing strains to accommodate the brand new coating, it reportedly opted to shelve its plans for this yr’s fashions.
Nevertheless, a brand new report this week means that the brand new coating could also be again within the recreation. Yesterday, MacRumors cited a “dependable supply” who stated that Apple’s suppliers have been in a position to obtain a enough yield for mass manufacturing in any case. It’s unclear if this is similar supply that beforehand reported Apple’s deserted plans in April.
The improved show expertise, which appears to be a coating slightly than a brand new Ceramic Defend glass formulation, remains to be believed to be unique to the iPhone 17 Professional and iPhone 17 Professional Max. The iPhone 17 and “iPhone 17 Air” are anticipated to get the identical Ceramic Defend discovered on the iPhone 16 fashions.
This may be the primary time Apple has launched anti-reflective shows to the iPhone. In that sense, it’s taking part in catch-up with Samsung, which adopted Corning’s Gorilla Glass Armor for final yr’s Galaxy S24 Extremely, promising a discount in reflections by as much as 75% in comparison with customary glass surfaces.
Apple launched an antireflective nano-texture glass to its Professional Show XDR in 2019, later increasing it to the final of its 27-inch iMacs in 2020, and the brand new Studio Show in 2022. Final yr, it considerably expanded that tumbler to incorporate the M4 iPad Professional, MacBook Professional, and iMac.
Nevertheless, the nano-texture glass is an elective improve that prices an additional $100-$200 above the usual worth of an iPad or Mac. In some instances, it was additionally solely accessible as an choice on the higher-end fashions.
Whereas it’s too early to say for positive how Apple will deal with this new anti-reflective and scratch-resistant glass, the experiences we’ve seen recommend that will probably be customary on the iPhone 17 Professional fashions. That’s doubtless as a result of it’s not the identical as nano-texture glass, which might arguably be an unwise alternative on an iPhone as a result of its extra delicate nature — it’s good to use a particular sharpening fabric simply to wash it.
As traditional, it’s additionally important to take into account that whereas MacRumors believes its supply is dependable, this rumor remains to be uncorroborated by any others. It could not occur in any respect, but when it does, it might give iPhone 17 Professional homeowners one much less motive to go for a display screen protector. The Ceramic Defend is already sturdy sufficient to make display screen protectors much less related for drop safety. Nonetheless, Apple has achieved nothing to this point to get rid of the necessity for antiglare movies, regardless of iPhone screens persevering with to get brighter. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 lineup has confirmed that an antiglare display screen makes a major distinction, so we’re hoping the iPhone follows go well with.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]