Gorilla Glass 3 vs. Gorilla Glass 5 — What's the Difference?

Gorilla Glass 3, produced by Corning, marked a significant improvement in the realm of glass durability. This version primarily focuses on Native Damage Resistance, a technology aimed to reduce the visibility of scratches and the loss of strength these imperfections can cause. As such, Gorilla Glass 3 devices tend to exhibit a robust resistance to daily wear and tear, which makes them particularly enduring in the face of minor damages.

In contrast, Gorilla Glass 5, while also a product of Corning, takes durability a notch higher. This version of Gorilla Glass was designed to address a common concern among users: drop performance. Corning's studies found that many drops occur from waist to shoulder height, and with Gorilla Glass 5, they aimed to provide protection for devices dropped from this range.

Another distinction between Gorilla Glass 3 and Gorilla Glass 5 is their target market at the time of release. When Gorilla Glass 3 was introduced, smartphones were the primary focus, ensuring they could withstand scratches from keys, coins, and other everyday objects. With Gorilla Glass 5, the focus shifted slightly, taking into account larger devices such as tablets and laptops, ensuring they too could endure accidental drops.

Lastly, while both Gorilla Glass 3 and Gorilla Glass 5 offer enhanced protection, it's essential to understand that no glass is entirely invulnerable. Gorilla Glass 5, however, promises a higher survival rate for drops from greater heights, making it a preferred choice for those who are more accident-prone.