Scratch test: Samsung Galaxy Note 7 always needs screen protector – update
A scratch test indicates that Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 is less hard than its predecessor Gorilla Glass 4. Corning has made the glass more resistant to drops and seems to sacrifice the hardness. As a result, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 would always need a screen protector.
Update October 10: JerryRigsEverything has indicated that there was an error in his testing method. He had sharpened his tools with a supplied sharpening stone. The scriber with a hardness of 3 therefore contained microscopic metal particles with a hardness of 8. Because of the pollution on the scribe, it seemed as if the Gorilla Glass 5 screen already scratched at a hardness of 3. The YouTuber ran the test again with a new set of tools and it shows that the Note 7’s screen only scratches at a hardness of 6 or 7. That corresponds to smartphones equipped with Gorilla Glass 4.
The original article:
The scratch test is by YouTuber JerryRigEverything and was conducted on the Note 7, which is one of the first batch of phones with Gorilla Glass 5. The video shows that the glass starts to scratch when touched with material on the Mohs scale of hardness. has a score of 3. For example, with the Galaxy S7 Edge with Gorilla Glass 4, that is only for material with a score of 6 on the Mohs scale.
That means that if users put a Note 7 in a pocket with keys or with, say, another phone with a metal edge, there is a good chance that the screen will be scratched. The YouTuber therefore advises all users of the Note 7 to use a screen protector in combination with the device. Since the back is also made of Gorilla Glass 5, it should have the same protection to keep the device beautiful. However, the Note 7 is not a fragile phone, according to the bending test in the same video. The device does not break under pressure and continues to function, unlike some other phones.
Corning presented Gorilla Glass 5 this summer. This version of the toughened glass often has to survive drops from more than five feet, while according to Corning, version four was from three feet. Details about the new glass and why it is stronger, the manufacturer is keeping to itself. The manufacturer does mention that the glass is as clear as previous Gorilla Glass manufacturers, so that the brightness and contrast of the display have not deteriorated.