iPhone 17 Rumored to Boast Enhanced Anti-Reflective Scratch-Resistant Screen

According to a recent leak by Weibo user Instant Digital, Apple is set to introduce a new anti-reflective glass display on the iPhone 17 that is touted to be more scratch-resistant than the current Ceramic Shield used on the iPhone 15 models. This new glass is expected to feature a "super-hard anti-reflective layer," which is designed to provide better durability and potentially negate the need for third-party screen protectors.

The advanced coating technology has already been transferred to Apple's supply chain in China, but it appears it won't be ready in time to be included in the upcoming iPhone 16 series, which is anticipated to launch later this year. Despite the improvement in scratch resistance, there are concerns that the new display might be more prone to fingerprint smudges due to the change in the oleophobic coating, which could wear off more quickly than on current models.

The exact supplier for the new glass has not been officially confirmed, but speculation points to Corning, a long-standing partner of Apple. Corning's recent innovation, Gorilla Glass Armor, which was first used on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, may be an indication of the type of technology Apple is investing in. Apple has previously invested in Corning's research, contributing $45 million in 2021, further suggesting a continued collaboration between the two companies for the development of this new display technology.