Shatterproof Display Technology Is Here, Will We Find It on iPhone 7?

Most of us have experienced that incredibly unfortunate event where our phones slip from our grasp and tumble, almost methodically, towards the ground upon which we stand. And whether it’s raw Earth or carpet or what have you, sometimes we pick it up, hoping for the best, only to realize that the touchscreen display is now completely shattered. Poof!

Being nine generations into Apple’s pride and joy, you’d think they would’ve done more by now to build perhaps a little bit stronger of a screen, right? I mean, especially when other such devices currently on the market — such as the Droid Turbo 2 by Motorola — already feature substantially more resilient display technology.

And, after all, the Droid Turbo 2 is just proof that such a technological milestone can be achieved using only the elements at our disposal.

Motorola, through years of research and development, has created what they’re referring to as “ShatterShield” technology for its Droid Turbo 2, which boasts an impressive four years of protection against cracks and damage. And just in case you don’t buy that “marketing play,” the Turbo 2 has undergone rigorous and extensive third-party testing, yielding results that fully support the company’s claims.

Motorola makes ShatterShield display technology capable by redesigning the elements of the display, and thus, physically altering the make-up thereof.

Unlike other smartphone displays on the market today, for example, the Droid Turbo 2’s is comprised of four layers, surrounded by a 100% aluminum unibody shell to help maintain the devices’ structural soundness.

According to Motorola, “In the event of an impact that damages the primary touch-sensitive layer, a second layer takes over to maintain touchscreen performance,” Motorola explains. On top of this sits an interior lens — a highly transparent layer that is essentially just like the cover glass on any other smartphone. What really makes the Droid Turbo 2 super robust is its second lens — the exterior protective lens.”

If Apple were to adopt any form of new technology for its future devices, namely, the iPhone 7, we can only hope that it’d be something along the lines of Motorola’s ShatterShield. Even still, though, despite the ingenuity of other manufacturers bringing to market more formidable displays, Apple remains steadfast in its assertion that the iPhone 6s — despite having a display that has succumbed to the elements — has a considerably stronger display then its predecessors.

To build a stronger display, however, there are a few obstacles that Apple would have to overcome. For instance, a tougher display would almost certainly have to be thicker than existing iPhone displays. Additionally, Apple might wonder how a thicker display would impact its 3D Touch pressure sensors. For instance, the iPhone may not be able to detect deeper presses if the display features additional layers of protection.

Lots of hurdles to overcome, indeed, although if there’s a company that can take Motorola’s ShatterShield technology and turn it into something even better, it’s beyond the shadow of a doubt Apple.