Apple iPhone 17 Pro May Not Get Scratch-Resistant Display, Says Report
Apple reportedly met serious obstacles in its attempts to apply the new coating on a large scale.
Apple fans hoping for a tougher iPhone screen may have to wait a little longer. A recent report reveals that the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max might potentially skip a much anticipated display upgrade.
Earlier rumours stated that Apple was working on a new scratch resistant, anti reflective coating for its Pro models. The new coating would have given stronger protection than the currently used oleophobic layer, which has been around since the iPhone 11. It could have cut down on glare and helped keep the screen safe from everyday scratches.
However, that plan is reportedly off the table for this year.
Production Challenges To Blame
According to MacRumors, Apple met serious obstacles in its attempts to apply the new coating on a large scale. The process turned out to be more complex and slower than expected, making it difficult to use in mass production.
Although the idea was promising, Apple reportedly had to pull it from the iPhone 17 Pro lineup because of these issues.
No Match for Samsung Just Yet
Samsung’s Gorilla Glass Armor, used on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, was said to be similar to the coating that was cancelled. That glass is known for being scratch-resistant as well as anti-reflective. Apple’s version just wasn’t ready in time, as it seems.
What Will iPhone 17 Series Offer?
The iPhone 17 lineup still has plenty to look forward to, even with the coating news. The series could be launching in September 2025 and is expected to include:
iPhone 17
iPhone 17 Slim (or Air)
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Pro models may have a sleek aluminium frame, Apple's next gen A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the standard and Slim models could come with the A18 or A19 chip and 8GB of RAM.
So, while the screen upgrade may be delayed, the performance boost seems to be right on track.
