- Gorilla Glass is manufactured using an alkali-aluminosilicate and potassium ion exchange process.
- Chemical hardening of the glass improves its resistance to drops and scratches.
- Over the years, Corning has released several versions with significant advancements.
- Alternatives such as synthetic sapphire offer greater scratch resistance, but are less viable.
Modern electronic devices rely heavily on rugged displays. And one of the most commonly used materials to provide that durability is glass. Gorilla Glass, developed by CorningThis material has evolved significantly since its first version in 2007, offering increasingly better protection against drops and scratches.
In this article, we'll explain how Gorilla Glass is made, what sets it apart from other types of glass, and why it remains one of the best options for protecting your device's screen. You can also learn more about other devices that use innovative technology at the latest iPhones.
The base material: alkali-aluminosilicate
Gorilla Glass is made from a compound called alkali-aluminosilicate, a combination of oxide aluminum (Al2O3), dioxide of silicon (SiO2), and elements alkalineThis material is key to ensuring the strength of the glass, as its chemical properties help absorb impacts and reduce the possibility of breakage. If you're curious about how to effectively care for your devices, visit our guide on screen protection.
To obtain this glass, raw materials such as high purity silica sand at extremely high temperatures. They are then molded into thin sheets that will form the screens of electronic devices.
The chemical hardening process
Once the glass has the desired shape, it is subjected to a chemical treatment which increases its resistance. This procedure, known as ion exchange, consists of immersing the glass in potassium salts at a temperature of 400 degrees Celsius.
During this process, the sodium ions in the glass they are replaced by potassium ions, which are larger and take up more space in the glass's molecular structure. This substitution creates internal compression that makes the glass much more resistant to impact and possible fractures.
If you are wondering about the type of screens that have evolved alongside Gorilla Glass, it is interesting to know more about the latest laptops that incorporate these advanced technologies.
Gorilla Glass variants and their evolution
Over the years, Corning has been improving its technology to offer stronger, thinner and more functional glass:
- Gorilla Glass 1Introduced in 2007, it was the first reinforced glass for device displays.
- Gorilla Glass 2: Reduced thickness by one 20% without losing strength, facilitating thinner designs.
- Gorilla Glass 3: Incorporated NDR technology (Native Damage Resistance), increasing scratch resistance in one 35%.
- Gorilla Glass 4: Focused on improving drop resistance, after discovering that the 70% of the damage to screens was caused by impacts.
- Gorilla Glass 5: It offered four times greater resistance to falls of up to 1,2 meters.
- Gorilla Glass 6: It doubled the resistance of its predecessor, withstanding drops of up to 1,6 meters.
- Gorilla Glass Foods: Introduced in 2020, it withstood drops of up to 2 meters and improved scratch resistance.
- Gorilla Glass Armor: Released in 2024, it offers the highest resistance yet, reducing reflections and increasing its durability.
For more information on the impact of glass screens on other devices, see our article on scratches on Apple devices.
Alternatives to Gorilla Glass
There are other reinforced glass options on the market, although each has its pros and cons:
- Dragontrail: Manufactured by Asahi Glass, it is a direct competitor to Gorilla Glass with a similar composition.
- Synthetic sapphire: Much more scratch resistant, but very fragile to impacts and significantly more expensive.
Sapphire is virtually immune to scratches, as only the Diamond You can scratch it, but its fragility makes it less viable for mobile screens.
Uses of Gorilla Glass in industry
Although its most common application is in mobile devices, Gorilla Glass also has other uses:
- medical industry: It is used in the manufacture of laboratory material and optical tests.
- Automotive: Appears on car screens, windows, and even sunroofs.
- Architecture and design: It is used in high-end buildings and furniture.
The versatility of Gorilla Glass in different sectors is remarkable, and consequently, innovation in display technology continues. For example, in the healthcare sector, the use of durable and reliable materials is essential.
Which devices have Gorilla Glass?
Since its launch, more than 7 billion devices have incorporated some variant of Gorilla Glass, from smartphones to smartwatches and computers portableSome well-known brands that use it are:
- Samsung: Models like the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and Note20 Ultra feature Gorilla Glass.
- Huawei: Used in Mate series, P series and some smartwatches.
- OPPO: Present in the Reno series, Find X and other mid- and high-end models.
- Sony: Incorporated into its Xperia line.
- Xiaomi: Seen on Xiaomi Mi, Redmi Note and POCO devices.
For those interested in the smartwatch market, there is a significant discount on some models.
The future of Gorilla Glass
As mobile technology continues to evolve, Gorilla Glass adapts to be more resistant and functional. The latest versions have implemented features such as glare reduction, antimicrobial protection and optimization for wireless charging.
The key is to achieve complete protection without compromising the aesthetics or thinness of the devices. With advances such as Gorilla Glass Armor and Gorilla Glass 7i, the durability of screens promises to continue improving in the coming years.
Gorilla Glass has changed the way we interact with our devices. Thanks to its constant evolution, it has managed to improve the durability and resistance of screens, preventing damage from accidental drops and reducing scratches. With increasingly sophisticated versions, this material will continue to be key to technological innovation in the coming years.
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