Many of Kyocera ultra-rugged devices are built for durability with Sapphire Shield™ display. Second only to diamonds in mineral hardness, sapphire is virtually scratchproof and provides outstanding protection against frontal impact damage. It also delivers exceptional protection from damaging real world scenarios, ranging from keys in a pocket to a face-first drop onto rocks, where independent lab tests show it to be far less likely to break than leading strengthened touch-panel glass.

Because sapphire is much harder than tempered glass, it is less susceptible to scratches and dings. Most glass touchscreens are weakened over time by an accumulation of small scratches and fractures, which eventually contribute to them breaking or shattering when dropped. Sapphire’s natural resistance to this ongoing, minor damage helps to protect against more significant damage and enhances the long-term integrity of the display.

Sapphire glass is also used to protect the rear camera lens on certain Kyocera devices primarily due to its scratch-resistant nature. Added protection is needed as a scratched camera lens could affect picture quality.

Q&A

What makes Sapphire so strong?

Sapphire is strong because nature made it that way! According to the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, sapphire is the second hardest mineral in the world, trailing only solid diamonds. While diamonds are very rare and extremely difficult to manufacture, Kyocera has spent 47 years perfecting the process of manufacturing man-made sapphire that not only is durable, but also is affordable enough for cell phone displays. The “hardness” of the crystalline structure of sapphire makes it virtually scratchproof and third-party lab tests show it to be much less likely to break than typical strengthened-glass displays when dropped on rocks.

Where does the Sapphire material used in electronic devices come from?

The natural compound aluminum oxide is ground into a powder, it’s then heated to at least 3,600°F. For use in a device like a cell phone or watch, it's then processed into sheets — and without any impurities present, the resulting sapphire glass is a totally clear material.

What if I drop my phone? Will the Sapphire Shield break?

While no display of any material is “break proof,” phones with Sapphire Shield displays have been shown to be far less likely to break when dropped. Along with these catastrophic breakage situations, Sapphire Shield also is much less prone than strengthened glass to ongoing abrasions, scratches and micro-fractures that, over time, make a display much more susceptible to breaking.

Does having the Sapphire Shield display mean I do not have to buy a screen protector?

As one of the world’s hardest minerals, sapphire is virtually impervious to scratching. In most cases, this would eliminate the need for any kind of supplemental display protection. Users are certainly welcome to use screen protectors, but they can be virtually assured that the cover doesn’t have the tested durability of the display its covering. Certain screen protectors are also used to reduce glare on the display improving readability in outdoor settings. Be aware that screen protectors may restrict the wet touchscreen operation feature of the device.

Which Kyocera products use Sapphire Glass because of its durability?

Kyocera employs its own manufacturing process that dependably yields high-quality sapphire for many products, ranging from electronic substrates to LED lighting to high-end wristwatches.

Which Kyocera mobile device was the first to use Sapphire Shield?

The first Kyocera device with a Sapphire Shield display was Brigadier™ which launched on the Verizon Wireless network in 2014.

Where else is Sapphire Shield used in Kyocera’s ultra-rugged devices?

Some Kyocera devices also use Sapphire Shield for the camera lens coverings.

Where can I see a demonstration of Sapphire Shield’s hardness on a Kyocera device?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNAlQ786cmM

* Please check each device for specifications and ratings as these may differ.