iPad mini Scratch-Proof Glass?

**rednocturne307** · 10-28-2012, 06:37 PM

I know that previous iPads have used Gorilla Glass or glass types of equivalent scratch resistance and strength. I'm seeing rumors around the net that the iPad mini does not have as strong glass in order to reduce costs. Has anyone heard anything about this or do we pretty much need to wait for an ifixit tear down to know for sure? I never use screen protectors on my tablets and I really don't want to have to start now.

**rednocturne307** · 10-28-2012, 07:21 PM

Do you suspect that the strength of the glass will be at least comparable with other iPads? Or is the iPad mini's glad definitely less resistant?

Also, how do people even know this for sure with the iPad mini not even released yet?

**Gary86** · 10-28-2012, 08:12 PM

I'm sure it is. Apple wouldn't release a screen prone to scratches.....I think

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**Karenkcoulter** · 10-28-2012, 08:44 PM

I'm sure it's gorilla glass but nothing is scratch proof just scratch resistant. Also Apple has never officially admitted that any of their devices use gorilla glass even though everyone knows it.

**rednocturne307** · 10-28-2012, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Gary86

I'm sure it is. Apple wouldn't release a screen prone to scratches.....I think

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Very true, even if they were trying to reduce costs, apple isn't the type to cut corners on something like this.

Originally Posted by Karenkcoulter

I'm sure it's gorilla glass but nothing is scratch proof just scratch resistant. Also Apple has never officially admitted that any of their devices use gorilla glass even though everyone knows it.

I know, I know, nothing is "scratch-proof"

. Gorilla glass comes close though! Really, they've never confirmed that they use it? I did not know this...

**swandy** · 10-28-2012, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by aPadMina

No gorilla glass. Not even Gorilla Glass 2 is scratch resistant. If you don't want any scratches or scuffs put on a screen protector or protect it with great care.

I was at the Apple store (problem with iPhone 5) and was talking to several of the people there. From what they have been told the Mini has the same front glass and rear material as the iPhone 5. (We were discussing the black versions of both.) I had joked that perhaps the White Minis had sold so quickly because people were afraid of the reported ease of scratching the back material on the black iPhone 5. The guy who was helping me said that the black backs did not really scratch any easier than the ones on the white phones, but because it was a black material, the scratches looked more obvious.) Take it for what it is worth.

**Gary86** · 10-28-2012, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by swandy

I was at the Apple store (problem with iPhone 5) and was talking to several of the people there. From what they have been told the Mini has the same front glass and rear material as the iPhone 5. (We were discussing the black versions of both.) I had joked that perhaps the White Minis had sold so quickly because people were afraid of the reported ease of scratching the back material on the black iPhone 5. The guy who was helping me said that the black backs did not really scratch any easier than the ones on the white phones, but because it was a black material, the scratches looked more obvious.) Take it for what it is worth.

That makes sense. Perhaps Apple should have put a protection layer/cover over the black back. Might have helped with the issues. Just a thought.

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**rednocturne307** · 10-28-2012, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by swandy

I was at the Apple store (problem with iPhone 5) and was talking to several of the people there. From what they have been told the Mini has the same front glass and rear material as the iPhone 5. (We were discussing the black versions of both.) I had joked that perhaps the White Minis had sold so quickly because people were afraid of the reported ease of scratching the back material on the black iPhone 5. The guy who was helping me said that the black backs did not really scratch any easier than the ones on the white phones, but because it was a black material, the scratches looked more obvious.) Take it for what it is worth.

That actually makes sense because the scratches would expose the raw aluminum. The silver aluminum would stand out against the black, making it much more obvious in the black version since the white one already has a raw aluminum back. It doesn't scratch any easier, the scratches simply show up more prominently.

**stanimal98** · 11-27-2012, 12:25 AM

I actually heard that the iPad mini is using chemically strengthened soda lime glass, which is not as good of a quality as chemically strengthened gorilla glass for scratch resistance. This is to save costs. The Amazon Kindle is probably more scratch resistant than the new iPad mini, so take extra precautions if you do get an iPad mini.

**eye4ni** · 11-27-2012, 08:10 AM

Go to about 5:15 in the video..... I would say you have little to worry about the screen scratching, more so the aluminum bezel and back. I have never used a screen protector on any of my apple devices and have never had a single scratch on any screen, ever.

**axllebeer** · 11-29-2012, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by eye4ni

Go to about 5:15 in the video..... I would say you have little to worry about the screen scratching, more so the aluminum bezel and back. I have never used a screen protector on any of my apple devices and have never had a single scratch on any screen, ever.

That was painful. But at least the screen was perfect after the test.

**marina2012** · 12-15-2012, 02:07 AM

iPad Mini Screen is very good, and i never worry about the iPad Mini screen scratching.

**richard_rsp** · 12-15-2012, 10:13 PM

I scratched my ipad mini 'glass' the second day I owned it (before my case came in). It slid off my desk at work and landed face down on my plastic chair mat. The dirt between the plastic mat and the screen caused 3 scratches on the screen, luckily they are on the bezel area (non screen) and are now mostly covered by the case I have. Bummed, but it could of been MUCH worse. It WILL scratch

**tlbaker1** · 12-15-2012, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by richard_rsp

I scratched my ipad mini 'glass' the second day I owned it (before my case came in). It slid off my desk at work and landed face down on my plastic chair mat. The dirt between the plastic mat and the screen caused 3 scratches on the screen, luckily they are on the bezel area (non screen) and are now mostly covered by the case I have. Bummed, but it could of been MUCH worse. It WILL scratch

Is this covered under insurance?

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**richard_rsp** · 12-15-2012, 10:25 PM

I don't have insurance on my iPad. Bought it from BestBuy and didn't buy the insurance. Oh well.... :-/

I have thought about replacing the screen, but since the scratches are under my case and not on the screen area, it's not really a big deal.

**eye4ni** · 12-18-2012, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by richard_rsp

I scratched my ipad mini 'glass' the second day I owned it (before my case came in). It slid off my desk at work and landed face down on my plastic chair mat. The dirt between the plastic mat and the screen caused 3 scratches on the screen, luckily they are on the bezel area (non screen) and are now mostly covered by the case I have. Bummed, but it could of been MUCH worse. It WILL scratch

Confused.... you say you scratched the "glass" but then say it was the bezel and not the screen..... which is it?

**richard_rsp** · 12-18-2012, 08:49 AM

Sorry, didn't mean to be confusing. The front 'glass' covers the screen AND the bezel (or non-lighted / border part of the front).

Scratch near home button

Scratch on right bezel

But in the case, the scratches are mostly covered. (I got lucky)

**Irish Rose** · 12-18-2012, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by richard_rsp

Sorry, didn't mean to be confusing. The front 'glass' covers the screen AND the bezel (or non-lighted / border part of the front).

Scratch near home button

Scratch on right bezel

But in the case, the scratches are mostly covered. (I got lucky)

This is the exact reason why I apply a screen protect on my iProducts right out of the box. You are lucky here, though, as you can't see those scratches with your case on the iPad.

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**cpc12** · 12-18-2012, 08:56 PM

Did you drop it and then stomp on it.

I have had apple products for years. Never used and protection. All I have ever done is get hairline scratches on the screen that you almost need a microscope to see.

I can't see how people are so abusive to there things.

Don't want scratches... Don't be a clutz

Simple.

**richard_rsp** · 12-18-2012, 10:09 PM

Actually, I am pretty careful (normally) with my electronic products. I have had an iPad, iPad2, iPod Touch, and iPhone 4 all before the Mini. I did not run screen protectors (but always a minimal case) on any of them and never scratched the glass.

But this was an accident (accidents do happen on occasion). As I said, this was a release day mini and I was waiting on my case to get delivered, so it was unprotected at the time. I had it sitting on a microfiber cleaning cloth on my work desk. I went to get coffee and came back and it was face down on my plastic chair mat. Apparently the cloth wasn't lying completely flat and tilted it enough to slide off onto the floor. I was super bummed afterwards (and still kinda am) but am happy it isn't any worse.

Needless to say, I have a screen protector on my new iPhone 5 after this event.