Corning claims its Project Phire glass is just as strong as sapphire

Remember last year when everyone was freaking out about sapphire displays on smartphones and how sick they’ll be? Yeah, that never really happened but Corning has announced something called Project Phire which it claims is nearly as durable and scratch resistant as sapphire. This announcement follows close behind the unveiling of the company’s latest version of Gorilla Glass. 

Corning announced today that it is preparing to ship a new type of glass that can withstand scratches almost as well as sapphire while providing superior drop protection. The glass is the result of “Project Phire,” which aimed to create a more scratch-resistant glass to rival sapphire. The announcement comes shortly after the company debuted Gorilla Glass 4, which is expected to be included on many new smartphone models this year. However, Project Phire could give even Gorilla Glass a run for its money, if it can live up to Corning’s claims. Last year Apple was rumored to be working on a sapphire display for the iPhone 6 along with GT Advanced Technologies. That deal came to an end when mismanagement on GT’s end resulted in damaged sapphire, delayed shipments, and serious funding problems.