Corning’s new Gorilla Glass with DX to let phones take better pictures

The majority of modern smartphones boast a bunch of rear cameras, including a regular shooter, a telephoto one, and a wide-angle lens, amongst others. Most of these cameras are usually protected by a glass layer, which can scratch over time. When it comes to the front display panel, manufacturers have been using protective materials for a while, the most popular one on the market being Corning's Gorilla Glass. The latter is about to be featured on the back of some smartphones as well, protecting their camera lenses while ensuring they take high-quality photos.

Camera lenses are usually tricky to protect, as they would require anti-reflective coatings for adequate optical performance. Sadly, these tend to scratch easily, causing image aberrations. On the other hand, highly protective materials tend to reflect too much light, creating ghosting on the photos. Corning's Gorilla Glass with DX products have been protecting a wide range of smartwatches, and these are now being adapted to work with mobile cameras.

The new composite Gorilla Glass with DX can capture 98% of light, allowing for high-quality images and videos without compromising protection. Indeed, they offer professional-grade image quality under all lighting conditions by maximizing the amount of ambient light captured and minimizing reflection, while providing efficient scratch-resistance and durability.

Although there is no information regarding which devices will feature this new technology and when the technology will be widely rolled out, the company mentions Samsung will be the first customer to adopt the Gorilla Glass with DX products for camera lens covers. There's a chance we'll learn more during the brand's Galaxy Unpacked event on August 11.

PRESS RELEASE

Corning Expands Corning® Gorilla® Glass Composite Products to Optimize Performance of Mobile Device Cameras

New product category enables unparalleled camera optics for smartphones by allowing 98% light capture, creating higher-quality images and videos while maintaining Gorilla Glass toughness

CORNING, N.Y., July 22, 2021 — Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) today announced a new category for its scratch resistant and durable glass composite products, Corning® Gorilla® Glass with DX and Corning® Gorilla® Glass with DX+. The application of this technology to mobile device cameras enables professional-grade image capture through a unique combination of advanced optical performance, superior scratch resistance, and durability.

Since 2010, the number of photos taken globally has increased from 350 billion to a projected 1.4 trillion per year. And, mobile camera technology is regularly cited as one of the most important factors in consumers’ purchasing decisions.

For mobile device cameras to provide professional-grade image quality under all lighting conditions it is critical to maximize the amount of ambient light captured and minimize all reflection within the camera systems.

“Antireflective coatings have long been used on conventional cameras to improve light capture,” said Jaymin Amin, vice president and general manager, Corning Gorilla Glass. “However, these coatings have a propensity to scratch easily, negatively impacting image quality. Corning’s Gorilla Glass composites not only provide mobile device camera lens covers with enhanced scratch resistance and durability compared to traditional coatings, but also the improved optical performance required for these devices.”

Answering consumer demand for high-quality image and video capabilities, smartphone manufacturers have integrated advanced functionalities such as telephoto, wide-angle lenses, and infrared sensors. To achieve this level of sophistication, the size and number of cameras on smartphones continue to grow, while the prominence of the lens surface area has increased notably – significantly driving the likelihood of scratches and damage through everyday use.

“We’ve engineered the ideal solution for camera lens covers,” said Amin. “By capturing 98% of light for the camera lens, our glass composites augment the full capability of the camera design and help create high-quality images and videos. Our Gorilla Glass DX products offer the industry’s best combination of optical performance and protection for the ultimate consumer experience.”

Samsung will be the first customer to adopt the Gorilla Glass DX products for camera lens covers.

Gorilla Glass has been designed into more than 8 billion devices by more than 45 major brands. Through its Mobile Consumer Electronics Market-Access Platform, Corning continues its legacy of innovation with market-leading cover glasses, as well as glass and optics for semiconductor products, that enhance performance, deliver new connectivity features, enable new designs, and support immersive user experiences with augmented reality and 3D sensing. Since 2016, Gorilla Glass DX products have been utilized on more than 30 million wearable devices and are now being adopted on mobile camera lens covers.

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Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world's leading innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people's lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning's capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping our customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning's markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, and life sciences.