14 DAY TRIAL // It's been a while since the first rumors about Apple using a sapphire display screen for the next-generation iPhone 6. The supply chain parts went over the factories' gates and we have even seen a few iPhone 6 displays.
The parts were definitely more resistant to scratches and bendier than the previous Gorilla Glass Display found in the iPhone 5s. One thing was unclear: will Apple use true sapphire displays or just a piece of glass coated with a sapphire layer.
A new patent, revealed by PatentlyApple, sheds some light over that idea. This patent was filed by Apple in Europe and it describes a multi-step process that will strengthen the sapphire display of a device.
We already know Apple is using sapphire in the glass covering the camera lens and the Touch ID home button of the iPhone, so this new patent may very well be related to those pieces of glass. Therefore, you may want to take the following with a grain of salt, when it comes to a real sapphire display.
Apple explains in the paper that they plan on using Corundum for that purpose. Corundum is an extremely hard aluminum oxide that can be used as an abrasive product. Sapphire is a form of corundum, as well as ruby.
As hard and beneficial this is, the price of this substance is considerably high. What Apple has invented has got something to do with "Methods for Strengthening sapphire." And they want to use ions of nitrogen or argon. This will prevent cracks in the future piece of glass.