October 8, 2014: Apple says it’s “shocked” after GT Superior Applied sciences, the provider beforehand rumored to make ultra-strong sapphire glass shows for the iPhone 6, says it can file for chapter.
The announcement seems to mark the top of the highway for sapphire glass iPhone screens, a extremely anticipated improve that promised to make gadgets extra sturdy however by no means arrived.
Apple’s sapphire glass take care of GT Superior Applied sciences
Up till the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus launch, sapphire glass screens remained one of many greatest rumored upgrades. Forward of the gadgets’ unveiling, the prospect excited many individuals. YouTube movies purporting to point out iPhone 6 sapphire shows resisting knife scrapes received individuals amped. One survey even confirmed that buyers’ most-anticipated iPhone 6 characteristic was a sapphire show.
To attempt to make this a actuality, Apple signed a take care of GT Superior Applied sciences in November 2013. The pact included a $578 million fee from Apple to hurry up “the event of its subsequent era, massive capability ASF furnaces to ship low price, excessive quantity manufacturing of sapphire materials.”
This may happen at a plant in Mesa, Arizona. Nonetheless, Apple by no means confirmed its curiosity in sapphire iPhone shows. Nonetheless, because the rumors grew stronger, GT’s inventory worth rose.
Sadly, issues unraveled behind the scenes. Supposedly sad with GT’s progress, Apple withheld its remaining $139 million fee. Sapphire yield charges of 25% or much less reportedly upset Cupertino.
The tip of the highway for sapphire iPhone screens
Seeing no approach ahead, Apple rolled out the iPhone 6 with out the rumored sapphire show, inflicting GT Superior Applied sciences’ inventory to plummet. (GT’s CEO reportedly made $10 million offloading his shares forward of the iPhone 6 occasion.)
In early October 2014, GT abruptly filed for chapter. Court docket paperwork revealed that the corporate blamed Apple for its woes. The sapphire-maker mentioned Apple “imposed oppressive and burdensome phrases and obligations on GTAT.” Finally, Cupertino’s calls for made GT’s “continued efficiency” now not “a viable enterprise possibility,” the corporate mentioned.
Apple, in the meantime, mentioned it could concentrate on preserving jobs in Arizona, the place GT’s manufacturing facility went belly-up. The 1.3-million-square-foot facility wound up turning into a brand new Apple knowledge heart for 150 full-time staff.
Ceramic Protect arrives to save lots of the day
Years later, we nonetheless don’t have our sapphire iPhone shows. Nonetheless, the Ceramic Protect know-how launched in iPhone 12 (and up to date for the iPhone 16 sequence) makes present screens fairly sturdy. The specifically engineered glass is heat-treated to develop nanocrystals just like these present in ceramics.
Apple showcased Ceramic Protect in 2021’s “Fumble” advert, which you’ll be able to watch beneath.