New Gorilla Glass for wearables is almost as scratch-proof as sapphire crystal

Gorilla Glass 5 has only just started making it onto devices (with mixed results), but Corning has a new material already in the works. There’s just one big difference versus precious versions of Gorilla Glass: this one is aimed at wearables.

Called Gorilla Glass SR+, the new material is said to be 70 percent more resistant to impacts and offer 25 percent better reflectivity than “luxury materials” (AKA sapphire crystal). They also claim its scratch resistance approaches that of luxury covers.

It’s nice to see Corning put its mind to work on glass specifically designed for wearables. While some devices have simply used an earlier version if Gorilla Glass designed for phones, wearables have different risks than phones, such as bumping against walls and desks in day to day use. On the other hand, you’re less likely to drop a wearables from 5 feet in the air.

Corning isn’t saying which devices will sport the material others than saying “leading global brands” will use it later this year, but given the company’s virtual monopoly on glass in mobile tech, expect it to show up pretty much everywhere.