Gone are the days when premium protection was reserved for flagship smartphones. Corning, the company behind the ubiquitous Gorilla Glass, has unveiled a new addition to its family – Gorilla Glass 7i. This iteration is specifically designed to bring enhanced durability to mid-range and budget phones, making cutting-edge protection accessible to a wider range of users.
Improved Drop and Scratch Resistance: Built to Withstand Everyday Bumps
Gorilla Glass 7i boasts significant improvements in two key areas: drop and scratch resistance. Corning claims this new glass can survive falls of up to one meter (3.3 feet) onto rough surfaces like asphalt. This surpasses the performance of competing glasses commonly found in mid-range phones, which often succumb to damage from lower drops.
Furthermore, Gorilla Glass 7i boasts twice the scratch resistance of its competitors. This translates to better resilience against everyday wear and tear, like keys jingling in your pocket or accidental bumps on the table. With Gorilla Glass 7i, mid-range phones can finally achieve protection comparable to their premium counterparts.
Targeting a Growing Need: Modern Protection for Modern Mid-Range Devices
The introduction of Gorilla Glass 7i addresses a critical need in the smartphone market. Many recently launched mid-range phones still rely on older versions of Gorilla Glass, leaving their beautiful displays vulnerable. For instance, the Nothing Phone (2a) and Poco F6 Pro utilize Gorilla Glass 5, a technology introduced in 2016.
The trend of larger, higher-quality displays becoming commonplace in mid-range devices (think Pixel 8a with Gorilla Glass 3 from 2013) necessitates a modern and affordable solution for improved protection. Gorilla Glass 7i fills this gap perfectly, offering a balance between durability and affordability for manufacturers and consumers alike.
OPPO Leads the Way: The First to Embrace Gorilla Glass 7i
Corning has announced that OPPO will be the frontrunner in adopting Gorilla Glass 7i. This suggests that we might see the new glass incorporated into upcoming OPPO A and F series devices, such as the A3 Pro or F27 Pro. Specific details regarding these phones are expected to be revealed soon.
The capabilities of Gorilla Glass 7i extend beyond smartphones. Its design caters to other devices requiring scratch and drop resistance, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. This paves the way for a future where a wider range of gadgets can benefit from Corning’s innovative protection technology.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How much tougher is Gorilla Glass 7i compared to previous versions?
A: Gorilla Glass 7i is engineered to survive falls of up to one meter onto rough surfaces, surpassing the performance of competing glasses in mid-range phones. Additionally, it offers twice the scratch resistance, providing significantly improved protection.
Q: Which phones will be the first to use Gorilla Glass 7i?
A: OPPO has been announced as the first smartphone manufacturer to adopt Gorilla Glass 7i. We can expect to see it integrated into upcoming OPPO A and F series phones.
Q: Does Gorilla Glass 7i work with other devices besides smartphones?
A: Yes, Gorilla Glass 7i’s design makes it suitable for various devices requiring scratch and drop resistance, including smartwatches and fitness trackers.
