If you like the ceramic coating on Apple Watches, the future seems to please you even more. Thanks to a new patent obtained by Apple, the way for the company to use zirconia-based ceramic bodies in Watch and iPhone products is now open.
While the introduction of the iPhone 14 is just around the corner, we may have already reached a few design details for the possible iPhone 15, which will be introduced next year. According to the news based on Forbes, Apple has received a new patent. Thanks to this patent, a ceramic body can be used in the company’s future iPhone and Apple Watch watches. The patent in question is called “Electronic Devices with Textured Zirconia-Based Components”.
A matte and textured look is promised for future iPhone and Apple Watch models. The phrase zirconia in the patent is important. The glass and metal design concept we currently see is not very high in terms of production costs. However, zirconia-based ceramic bodies will cause an increase in costs. The positive side of this is that it enables an increase in the premium feel and durability point.
What is zirconia?
Zirconia, or zirconium dioxide, which we think Apple will use in new iPhones, offers high hardness and strength. Considered the most durable monolithic ceramic thanks to its resistance to chemical corrosion, zirconia is also stronger than common metal alloys. Therefore, this material is much more resistant to scratches and abrasion.
The future of smartphones lies in ceramics
We’ve actually seen ceramic phones before: Galaxy S10+ Performance Edition and Xiaomi Mi Mix 4. Similarly, various smartwatch manufacturers have also used ceramic materials in their products. However, the future may be bright for ceramic-bodied devices that do not have widespread use. The increase in premium models and the desire of companies to separate product groups from each other may enable more ceramic-bodied devices. On the other hand, as with all patents, there is a possibility that Apple will make such a change in design in the short term, or even not at all. In other words, this patent does not offer a certainty requirement.
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