As much as I would love for Apple to find the "perfect" glass that would require blunt force impact from a sledgehammer before it would crack, I wonder if their efforts would be better spent figuring out a way to make the glass more easily and more affordably replaced. An implementation that would almost render the screen disposable (but still as durable or very close to as durable as it is today).
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Unfortunately with the way the phones are constructed today, the glass has become an entire assembly.
When you etch the touchscreen on the back of the glass and then bond the whole thing to the LCD with optically clear adhesive, you've created one single piece that's nearly half of the phone's guts.
If people are okay with the LCD moving backwards and leaving an airgap like the first phones, then perhaps it's possible.
My friend replaces iPhone screens and back glass all the time. I think he charges people 20-30$ cad to cover the cost of the parts. Takes him less than 10 minutes.
Most screens come with the kit of tools you need for the tiny screws and to pop off the ribbon cable connectors.
I think that is pretty quick easy and cheap. I feel bad for people who go to Genius Bar to have this done for $150.
If he's only charging $20-30, he's only replacing the glass. The Genius Bar is probably replacing the screen and glass since that's an easier procedure for them than just the glass.
I think the screen is one unit and you can't just replace the glass on the screen. It is a very quick procedure for my friend too. A couple of screws and a ribbon connector and away you go.
The parts are cheap on eBay. So far the $3 battery has been a dud though.
> require blunt force impact from a sledgehammer before it would crack
Several plastics can do that.
I'm afraid untill somebody comes with a cheap way to manufacture diamonds, we'll have to trade impact strength off scratch resistance in every design.