Ceramic materials used for phones and electronics are far different from conventional ceramics, because they have been techniquesized to better suit different purposes. This is a high-quality material that is widely used in the manufacturing, manufacturing or construction industries.
According to The Forbes, Apple may be developing technology to use ceramics as a primary material to produce iPhones and Apple Watch in the future.
In particular, with a patent called "Electronic devices with Zirconia-based components", the back of the iPhone will be a coating of lettering, with the center dedicated to the Apple logo. The lining will be used for Pro/Pro Max models and is in line with Apple's orientation of separating the regular iPhone and Pro models.
What is Zirconia?
Why does Apple want to use ceramics, specifically zirconia, instead of sticking to glass and metal, the standard materials that have been used in the phone industry for a long time?
The phone industry is always trying to perfect itself with materials that are increasingly durable and lighter. They are expected to be able to survive a fall while still maintaining their original shape by preventing scratches.
With those requirements, zirconia is exactly the material that manufacturers are looking for. Zirconia, or zirconium dioxide, is considered the most durable whole- block pottery, with hardness, high durability, flexibility and chemical resistance. Zirconia is also used as a diamond alternative in jewelry.
This is one of the favorite materials of the dental industry when having to make artificial teeth, because there are many physical advantages compared to other materials. Zirconia is also de-oxideated with aluminum, which is suitable as a material for artificial sweat joints and other transplant devices in medicine.
However, while the quality is much better than most alloys and glasses used to make the case of smartphones, the process of creating zirconia is quite expensive, this could also be another catalyst for Apple to increase iPhone prices in the future.
It is likely that Apple will not use pure zirconia but instead add it to aluminum or steel alloy to significantly improve their overall mechanical properties and "resistance".
And that is exactly what Apple suggests in its patenting description.
Is ceramics the future of the phone industry?
Ceramics and phones have certainly "cooperated" before. Specifically, Xiaomi and Samsung have previously produced mobile devices with pottery bodies, respectively Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 and Galaxy S10 + Performance Edition.
In the smartwatch market, where watch manufacturers regularly testing high-quality materials, this material has also been applied on a large scale when the Apple Watch was produced.
In addition, it seems that Apple wants to "separate" the regular iPhone from future Pro models by using ceramic materials.
Other manufacturers will certainly follow suit and consider using this material more prominently in their product lines.
According to Phonearena, both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series have Ceramic Shield screens, providing 4 times better hit resistance than previous iPhone models.
