New iPhone 4 with glass back and one of three "seams" that are part of antenna system.

Steve Jobs has been revealing feature after feature of Apples new iPhone for the past hour and it looks more loaded with glass and ceramic materials than I first anticipated.

Here’s a partial rundown:

  • Front: Clear glass
  • Back: Black glass
  • Side seams: glass or ceramic that function as part of antennae system
  • Display: 326 ppi LED “Retina Display”
  • New Sensors: gyroscope, compass, proximity and ambient light
  • Flash: LED for still and video recording
  • Lithium-ion battery
"We developed a glass that's 30 times harder than plastic," says Steve Jobs at the WWDC'10.

"We developed a glass that's 30 times harder than plastic," says Steve Jobs at the WWDC'10.

Apple seems to be jazzed about their new glass (and we hope to provide a link to a video about it ASAP) and here is what the website says:

“Engineered Glass
All the breakthrough technology in iPhone 4 is situated between two glossy panels of aluminosilicate glass — the same type of glass used in the windshields of helicopters and high-speed trains. Chemically strengthened to be 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic, the glass is ultradurable and more scratch resistant than ever. It’s also recyclable.”

Update:

Another picture of the antenna system, showing ICs at each seam

Another picture of the antenna system, showing ICs at each seam. Credit: MacRumors.com

Apple's demonstration of iPhone 4's glass face flexibility.

Apple's demonstration of iPhone 4's glass face flexibility. Credit: Apple.

The manufacturing of the case and glass is discussed at the 4:50 point in the official Apple video:

CTT Categories

  • Electronics
  • Glass
  • Material Innovations
  • Optics