When we check the characteristics of a mobile phone, usually there is protection technology in the terminal, either Gorilla Glass or other. Why? This is something very common because, apart from the protectors and covers that we can put on the terminal, manufacturers also do their part to provide the best protection for the device from shocks and scratches.
And that is why today for many users it is one of the most important elements to guarantee greater resistance. But many wonder what exactly these protections are , how they are manufactured, and how they actually protect themselves as much as the companies claim. Moreover, over the years, different generations have succeeded each other and various changes have been made, leading to important developments in this defense.
Contents [show]
- What is it and how is it made?
- Generations of this successful Gorilla Glass protection 1
- Gorilla Glass 2
- Gorilla Glass 3 and 3+
- Gorilla Glass 4
- Gorilla Glass 5
- Gorilla Glass 6
- Gorilla Glass Victoria
What is Gorilla Glass?
Corning glass is made from aluminosilicate, a material created from the combination of three elements:
- Aluminum;
- Silicon;
- Oxygen.
This material was first created in 2005. Its main purpose was resistance to damage with low weight and minimal thickness. Interestingly, aluminosilicate was not initially considered as protection for smartphones. It, like other Corning (formerly Chemcor) products, was going to be used in household appliances, devices for ophthalmologists and the engineering industry. Fate, however, had a very different fate in store for Gorilla Glass.
What is it and how is it made?
This shock- and scratch-resistant protection is manufactured by Corning Inc., and although its development began in 2005, its official launch took place in 2008. It wasn't until 2010 that it became successful and has since managed to irresistibly increase its popularity among manufacturers. It became famous due to the fact that companies needed to protect the panels of mobile phones, which were becoming larger and larger.
Gorilla Glass is made from alkali aluminosilicate. , which is formed when aluminum, silicone and oxygen combine. Thus, it is not a material that is regularly found in nature, and this adds to the cost of the terminals. In addition, this material has been designed to be as light and thin as possible, at just 0.4mm thick. But this does not mean that it has great ability to resist damage and scratches. To make it, it must be heated to high temperatures (over 400 degrees) in a mold so that it can then be removed and cooled, finally shaped into a protective sheet.
However, it is true that this was not the first crystal of this type to appear on the market, since there were already other companies and brands that were also operating in this segment. And as we noted earlier, with the advent of smartphones, Corning's popularity has increased, making it the most used option among manufacturers. Although it is true that there are others like Dragontrail , which are also present in many mobile phones.
Second generation and new companions
The next generation of Gorilla Glass had to wait until 2012. The new glass was as strong as before, but the developers managed to reduce its thickness by 20% compared to its predecessors.
Laboratory tests have shown that Gorilla Glass 2 can withstand up to 50 kg of weight! Thanks to their reduced thickness, glass has begun to appear in more mobile devices. For example, the Nexus 4 and Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphones were equipped with it.
Generations of this successful defense
Gorilla Glass 1
The first Gorilla Glass safety glasses appeared between 2005 and 2006, and their great success began with their inclusion in the first glasses. Apple iPhone. At the presentation of the first iOS phone in 2007, the device was presented with 1.5 mm thick Gorilla Glass accompanied by an oleophobic coating that can repel fats, which minimizes fingerprints and smudges on the panel.
Gorilla Glass 2
In 2012 we saw a clear evolution of the protective sheet, as it managed to reduce its thickness by 20%, reaching 1.2 millimeters. In addition, they have increased pressure resistance up to 50 kg without breaking or. An interesting fact is that it has been installed in more than 600 million mobile phones , helping manufacturers develop much lighter and thinner models.
Gorilla Glass 3 and 3+
The next version, released in 2013, is presented as a new product. 35% increase in resistance to bumps and scratches. In addition, NDR (Native Damage Resistance) technology was integrated for the first time. And years later, more precisely in 2022, version 3+ appeared on the market to improve drop protection in low- and mid-range smartphones. Provides excellent results as it can withstand drops from a height of 0.8 meters onto hard and rough surfaces. So this becomes the most affordable option for screen protection on cheaper terminals.
Gorilla Glass 4
Gorilla Glass 4, introduced in 2014, improves drop resistance and is twice as strong as its predecessor. The anti-fingerprint film has also been improved.
Gorilla Glass 5
The fifth generation was released in 2016, although this does not prevent it from being widely used today. Gorilla Glass 5 manages to outlast its predecessor by four times in durability, withstanding drops from heights of up to 1.2 meters. In addition, its thickness can vary from 0.4 to 1.3 millimeters. In addition, the manufacturer has guaranteed that the technology in this version can prevent up to 80% of falls on very hard surfaces at a height of up to one meter.
Gorilla Glass 6
Currently this is the version released in 2022. one of the most present in high-end mobile phones in the market today. They've also managed to reduce its thickness once again, and that's not all, as its resistance has doubled compared to Gorilla Glass 5, withstanding drops of up to 1.6 meters.
Gorilla Glass Victoria
Last year saw the introduction of the company's latest version, Gorilla Glass Victoria , or also known as Gorilla Glass 7. It was released in the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and is just 0.4 millimeters thick, although its thickness can vary up to 1.2 mm. According to Corning, they have developed the toughest Gorilla Glass to date against both drops and scratches.
The most amazing thing is that in laboratory tests carried out with this glass, it was able to survive falls on hard and uneven surfaces up to 2 meters high . Thus, we will be talking about an increase in resistance up to four times compared to the previous version.
Gorilla Glass 6 and another step forward
The latest generation of glass is Gorilla Glass 6. They were first introduced in the summer of 2022. According to the assurances of the developers themselves and according to experts, the new generation has become a step forward compared to its predecessors. Laboratory testing has shown that Gorilla Glass 6 can withstand up to 15 consecutive falls from a height of one meter.
As before, the new generation turned out to be 2 times stronger than the previous one. As expected, they equipped it with flagship devices, for example, the Samsung Galaxy S10.
But does this have any advantages?
Not to mention that Gorilla Glass allows phones to be much more durable, the use of this glass has been shown to achieve designs and finishes of high aesthetic value and can optimize wireless charging functionality
, which is present on high-end mobile phones. It will even be useful for connecting on metal-finished mobile phones. This is mainly due to the increase that this technology will entail in the number of channels and frequencies, which will require more performance from the antennas.
Analogs
Let's take a short review of similar glasses found on the technology market.
Dragontrail
Aluminosilicate glasses produced by the Japanese company Asahi Glass Company. They are impact-resistant, have increased resistance to pressure and scratches. PRO , created in September 2016, has gained particular popularity Dragontrail series has been available since 2011.
These coatings are most often found on Chinese smartphones from the low and mid-price segment. Western manufacturers practically do not use them, giving preference to Gorilla.
Some tests have proven that Dragontrail is stronger than Gorilla, but different technologies were used to measure it. It is quite possible that Japanese glass is on par with Corning.
Dinorex
Another Japanese glass from Nippon . It is mainly produced in Japan and is actively used in household, industrial and automotive applications. It has no significant features, but is not inferior in strength to the above mentioned protectors. At school, Moosa scores the standard 6-6.5 points .
Xensation Cover
Another type of protective glass, announced in 2012 by the German brand SCHOTT . It was positioned as the most reliable and affordable coating, but was not widely used.
Xensation is made from aluminosilicate minerals , making it durable and scratch-resistant. There is also an anti-glare version called Xensation AG Cover . Used only in smartphones and tablets.
Strained glass
This is the general name for glasses that are chemically treated. A sheet of glass melt is first heated to 650-680 degrees Celsius, and then sharply cooled with icy air. As a result, compression increases, which has a positive effect on the stability of the coating. The most popular representative of tempered glass is Corning Gorilla Glass .
Various studies and user reviews have repeatedly confirmed that heat-treated glass is much stronger than regular glass.
Sapphire crystal
Intended for watches , it is extremely rare in other areas. Sapphire Crystal is grown artificially and is alumina crystals.
It does not scratch, looks very beautiful, shimmers and does not fade, but breaks easily . If a sapphire crystal falls on the asphalt, it will immediately shatter into fragments. It is not practical to use it in smartphones.
Questions from readers
How to find out the type of glass installed on the phone?
The characteristics of the smartphone always indicate which generation of Gorilla is installed. You will not be able to determine this on your own. Therefore, visit the manufacturer’s website, find the model you need and read its official review.
Do I need film or additional glass for protection?
No, this is not necessary. You'll only be adding an extra layer to the display, which may affect image clarity. If you want to avoid stains and stains, just stick the film on.
How difficult is it to replace GG?
Replacing the glass is quite possible, and it is carried out at a service center. There shouldn't be any difficulties.
Is glass really that strong?
The first and second generations of Gorilla Glass were not particularly durable. They could be scratched by any grain of sand. In the third version, shock resistance has increased noticeably; now damaging the screen of a smartphone protected by glass from Corning has become problematic. The parameters improved noticeably with the arrival of the fourth version, and in the summer of 2016 the fifth generation was announced, which should surpass all its predecessors.
You can break such glass, but you can only use your phone as a hammer.
During the tests, a half-kilogram steel ball was dropped onto it from a height of two meters - the material was not damaged.
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 - what kind of glass is it?
The fifth generation became one of the most popular and was widely used by device manufacturers even in mid-price range models.
The official test results ensured that even if dropped from one and a half meters, the screen would not be seriously damaged. Small cracks are possible.
And if the height is up to a meter, then the probability of damage approaches zero. Again, the thickness of the film became less than a millimeter, which had a positive effect on the weight of the gadgets produced - Xiaomi Mi A2, Samsung S9.
