That sapphire has become the smartphone industry's latest new buzzword can be attributed to Apple. The Cupertino company has confirmed dropping north of $500 million for the procurement of cutting-edge furnaces and other sophisticated equipment needed for its new sapphire plant, the world's largest.
That facility is located in Mesa, Arizona and run on Apple's behalf by a company called GT Advanced Technologies.
Moreover, GT's scientists have created a process called Hyperion 4 Ion Implanter to help mass-produce sapphire at affordable prices. Now, it's been rumored for months that Apple, which holds a patent for ‘Sapphire Laminates,’ will protect the iPhone 6's screen with ultra-thin sheets made from the precious gemstone.
With sapphire's hardness being second only to diamond, such a device would feature a virtually unbreakable screen. And with an estimated 20 percent of all broken iPhones suffering from smashed displays, sapphire could protect your pricey investment in case of accidental drops.
Analysts caution that a high-end feature like a sapphire-strengthened screen could easily translate into a premium price. Which brings me to my question of the day: would you be willing to pay extra for an iPhone 6 with a sapphire screen?
