According to Corning “Gorilla Glass 5 survives up to 80 percent of the time when dropped face-down from 1.6 meters.” We’ve seen how this plays out when the phone is dropped onto concrete, but that extra durability appears to have taken a toll on the hardness of the glass. JerryRigEverything has posted his Samsung Galaxy Note 7 durability test video in which he scratches the phone’s display.
While most Android devices with Gorilla Glass 3 and 4 can withstand scratches quite well, the Gorilla Glass 5 used to protect the display on the Note 7 is much softer and more prone to being scratched. Using the Mohs’ scale, the Note 7 can be scratched with a pick with a level 3 hardness, making it slightly harder than plastic. For comparison, Gorilla Glass 4 typically can only be scratched with a pick with a Mohs’ scale rating of 6 or higher.
It’s nice to know that Gorilla Glass 5 will keep the displays on our smartphones safer from stops, but it looks like screen protectors are going to be the must-have accessory for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and any other device with Corning’s new Gorilla Glass 5. If you’re already purchased the Note 7, below are a handful of links to some of the best screen protectors for your phone.