Demand for the material will nearly triple over the next several years as more handset makers eye sapphire substrate. October 14, 2013 7:38 AM PDT Sapphire has found its way to the Touch ID on Apple's iPhone 5S. (Credit: Apple) Sapphire is becoming an increasingly popular material for smartphones, a new study from research firm IHS has discovered. Last year, global demand for sapphire substrate in electronics hit 32 kilometers -- the measure by which usage is calculated -- and that figure is expected to reach 54 kilometers by the end of this year. By the end of 2016, according to IHS, total sapphire demand will reach 84 kilometers. Apple has been using sapphire since last year to cover its iSight camera. Apple is also using it with its Touch ID technology. Sapphire is becoming an increasingly appealing material to handset makers because it's notably stronger than glass and extremely resistant to scratches. According to IHS, demand for sapphire, which is the second-hardest stone in the world after diamond will rise in the coming years because of the possibility of smartphone makers using it for smartphone covers. Sapphire will also be used to protect LEDs. IHS' study comes just a month after an Apple patent application was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office that described a method by which sapphire could be used to build a consumer electronics device. The sapphire would become the central design element in the described patent.
Demand for the material will nearly triple over the next several years as more handset makers eye sapphire substrate.
Sapphire has found its way to the Touch ID on Apple's iPhone 5S.
(Credit: Apple)
Sapphire is becoming an increasingly popular material for smartphones, a new study from research firm IHS has discovered.
Last year, global demand for sapphire substrate in electronics hit 32 kilometers -- the measure by which usage is calculated -- and that figure is expected to reach 54 kilometers by the end of this year. By the end of 2016, according to IHS, total sapphire demand will reach 84 kilometers.
Apple has been using sapphire since last year to cover its iSight camera. Apple is also using it with its Touch ID technology. Sapphire is becoming an increasingly appealing material to handset makers because it's notably stronger than glass and extremely resistant to scratches. According to IHS, demand for sapphire, which is the second-hardest stone in the world after diamond will rise in the coming years because of the possibility of smartphone makers using it for smartphone covers. Sapphire will also be used to protect LEDs.
IHS' study comes just a month after an Apple patent application was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office that described a method by which sapphire could be used to build a consumer electronics device. The sapphire would become the central design element in the described patent.
