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Last November, when GT Advanced Technologies and Apple signed a $ 578 million worth of sapphire glass cooperation agreement, the industry is not very clear both sides trying to do. However, when GTAT announced sapphire glass revenue will reach $ 1 billion, people began to realize that it could be used to protect every iPhone screen.

However, within this period February to September this year, GTAT and Apple's initial plan seems wrong. Next-generation iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were not using GTAT sapphire glass and even Apple Watch smart watches are also not used. GTAT yesterday announced that it has broken the plan to apply for change protection.

GTAT CEO Tom Gutierrez said in a statement: "Today's bankruptcy protection does not mean that we will be closed down, on the contrary, this will allow us to continue to implement the established business plan." But the fact, GTAT's dream has been shattered. And, let sapphire glass spread to smartphones dream may also be in vain.

The best established plans

Obviously, Apple had a unique plan to rely GTAT to achieve. Before Apple had used the same strategy, and achieved remarkable results: the use of new technologies, to advance into the market, thereby winning advantage. For example, iPod has the smallest hard disk, iPhone has the best touch screen. With Apple's investment, GTAT able to build the world's largest sapphire glass factory.

Financial research firm PTT Research analyst Matt Margolis also holds the same view, Margolis said: "Even if Apple Watch sales could reach 30 million, that's not to GTAT factory output of a the final product /4.GTAT plant can meet more than 100 million Department of iPhone demand, but ultimately did not use an iPhone. "

Since Apple remained silent, the best explanation is GTAT factories do not achieve the desired objectives. The first possibility is, GTAT did not provide a specified number of sapphire glass on schedule. Therefore, there can be only part of the iPhone sapphire glass. Secondly, the edge of the screen is slightly curved design means, the need for a thin sapphire glass layer the same design, which is a challenge. VeriSign and Margolis both think that the second possibility is Apple abandon GTAT reasons.

Not thought about using a sapphire?

Admittedly, sapphire glass also has its own shortcomings. As expensive, the production process requires high quality heavy and so on. Although scratch plan, but fragile, so the impact is likely to be some kind of broken. It is very easy for us to draw such a conclusion: Apple never thought from the outset to use sapphire glass. But there are indications that it is not.

First of all, signed a cooperation agreement with GTAT means, GTAT sapphire glass production capacity has reached a certain level. GTAT sapphire glass production capacity is equivalent to the other 100 sapphire glass manufacturer production capacity of 2 times. Margolis also expects 2015 GTAT sapphire glass production to meet the iPhone and 30 million to 50 million of Apple Watch needs at least 100 million.

In addition, Kyocera this year has introduced the use of sapphire glass of low-cost smartphones. Technology Media had tried to destroy its screen, the results in failure. Kyocera has proved the best material to protect the screen of the phone is the sapphire glass.

The future belongs to the flexible screen

In the past, Apple has refused to use OLED technology, one of the reasons for the existence of the so-called color weight was (Color Reproduction), and secondly, is to rely on rival Samsung. But today, the Samsung screen is recognized as the world's best display.

But in the next two to three years, the display market will undergo significant changes. OLED will be able to adapt to a variety of shapes, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is a start.

For this reason, even if Apple introduced the sapphire glass of the iPhone, its life cycle is not very long. However, given Apple will not easily use the latest technology (unless capacity can reach several ten million), it can be concluded iPhone 7 will not be the first use of a flexible screen real product.

Although there is no use of sapphire glass, but did not affect iPhone sales 6.