Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 is stronger than previous versions, will come on devices this year

Corning has evolved its product into its 5th iteration, Gorilla Glass 5.

The new version is designed “to provide further protection against breakage from everyday drop” and can apparently survive “drops onto rough, unforgiving surfaces up to four times better than competitive glass designs.”

Corning notes in its release that 85 percent of smartphone owners have dropped their device at least once per year, 55 percent have dropped their device three times or more per year. In its testing, Corning is claims Gorilla Glass 5 survives up to 80 percent of drops when devices are face-down from 1.6 meters in height.

“With each successive generation of Corning Gorilla Glass, we have taken cover glass technology to new levels. Gorilla Glass 5 is no exception, extending Corning’s advantage in drop performance over competitive glasses,” said Corning Gorilla Glass vice-president and general manager John Bayne in a statement sent to MobileSyrup.

Corning first launched Gorilla Glass in 2007. The protective case material is used by 40 brands across the globe and can be found on 4.5 billion devices worldwide.

Gorilla Glass 5 will be used on devices “later this year.”

[source] Corning [/source]