Future Apple iPhones could reportedly be scratch and abrasion-resistant. According to Patently Apple, the Cupertino-based tech giant has been granted a new patent for ‘Spatial Composites’ material by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Notably, premium Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs, are prone to scratches. This forces users to resort to protective cases, which hide the device’s aesthetics. With its Spatial Composites, Apple is working toward a scratch-resistant back panel that will allow Apple fans to use their devices without any bulky or hideous cases. Let’s take a look at what Spatial Composite is.
Future Apple Devices Could be Scratch-Resistant
According to the patent document, the company is planning to create a scratch-resistant back panel by using abrasion-resistant materials, which could be incorporated into the chassis of an iPhone to make it stronger. The document lists Christopher Prest, Stephen Lynch, and Teodor Dabov as the inventor of Spatial Composites. All of them are Apple engineers.
In the US patent number 11,678,445 B2, Apple explains various materials used in manufacturing smartphones and their respective scratch-resistance versus electromagnetic shielding. The company elaborates that while plastic doesn’t interfere with radio connectivity, it’s not as scratch-resistant. On the other hand, metal is scratch-resistant but messes with radio connectivity. Lastly, ceramic is scratch-resistant and doesn’t interfere with connectivity, but it is not as strong.
The patent then elaborates upon ‘Spatial Composites,’ which is said to be metal and ceramic composite with scratch-resistant properties, superior durability, and minimal interference. According to the patent, the resulting substrate material will feature a mouldable matrix with these metal and ceramic located between 10 and 100 microns apart.
How’s your iPhone held up? 🔧
iPhone 14 Pro Max
-8 Months Old
-91% Battery Health
-Has seen the ground at least once pic.twitter.com/Pqk0WNQly1— Michael (@NTFTWT) June 14, 2023
Apple already has the Crystal Shield technology to protect the displays from scratches. The new Spatial Composite will ensure that the back panel is protected as well, ensuring that less-than-a-year-old iPhones don’t look as beaten up as you can see in the tweet above.
However, as of now, the company has only patented the composite and proposed the technology. It might take years before the first iPhone with a Spatial Composite back panel comes out. Till then, iPhone users are advised to use a protective cover to maintain the pristine state of their devices.
