Chloe Zhang
Plastic is a cheaper alternative to glass, but phone screens aren't made of plastic because plastic scratches more easily than glass. Glass is highly scratch-resistant with a Mohs hardness of 5.5, whereas most plastics have a hardness of less than 1. Glass is also clearer and looks better, and while glass screens may shatter, plastic screens are more prone to scratching, which makes phones look cheap and outdated. Glass is also easier to recycle than plastic, and while plastic can be recycled, it is more expensive than manufacturing new plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scratch resistance | Plastic is less scratch-resistant than glass. Glass has a Mohs hardness of 5.5-7, while plastic is generally below 3. |
| Appearance | Plastic may look cheap and unappealing, even before it gets scratched. |
| Profitability | Glass screens are more profitable for phone manufacturers as they need to be replaced more often. |
| Heat resistance | Plastic can warp and disfigure when exposed to heat. |
| User experience | Glass screens feel nicer and are less yielding than plastic. |
| Thickness | Plastic has a thickness penalty compared to glass. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic screens can be easily scratched by everyday items such as keys, sand, or pocket lint
- Glass screens are scratch-resistant and harder than anything else typically stored in pockets
- Glass screens are more profitable for phone companies as they look better and need to be replaced more often
- Glass screens feel nicer and are less yielding than plastic screens
- Plastic screens can warp and disfigure with heat and can be worn down by friction or natural skin oils
Plastic screens can be easily scratched by everyday items such as keys, sand, or pocket lint
Plastic screens are also more susceptible to warping and disfiguring with heat, and they can be challenging to install on phones due to their lack of flexibility. While plastic screens are shatter-proof, they are less durable than glass and can be ruined by contact with everyday items like keys or metal objects.
On the other hand, glass screens are scratch-resistant and can take durable anti-reflection and anti-smudge coatings. They are also easier to apply to phones due to their rigidity and provide added support, making the phone feel more secure and smooth.
While plastic screen protectors are low-cost, thinner, and lighter, they may not offer the same level of durability and scratch resistance as glass. Some users may prefer plastic screen protectors to protect their phone screens from daily threats, but these may need to be replaced more frequently due to scratching.
Overall, the ease of scratching plastic screens with everyday items is a significant factor in why phone manufacturers tend to favour glass screens.
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Glass screens are scratch-resistant and harder than anything else typically stored in pockets
Glass is highly scratch-resistant, with a Mohs hardness of 5.5–7, which is harder than anything else typically stored in pockets, such as keys, coins, or even steel, which has a hardness of around 4. In contrast, most plastics have a hardness of less than 1, meaning they can be scratched by common materials like rocks, sand, metal, and even your fingernails (hardness 2–3).
One user shared that they had a plastic-screen phone in the past, and as soon as it was placed in the same pocket as their keys, it was ruined. Another user with a Nokia smartphone, which has a plastic screen, received five screen protectors with their phone to cover the screen as it gets scratched.
Plastic screen protectors are also available for glass-screen phones, but they are less durable than glass screen protectors and can be tricky to install. Glass screen protectors are thicker, heavier, and more impact- and scratch-resistant than plastic. They are also easier to apply to most phones because they are rigid.
While glass screens are more susceptible to shattering than plastic ones, glass is preferred by consumers due to its scratch resistance and aesthetic appeal. Plastic screens are often considered to look cheap, even before they are scratched. As such, glass screens are favoured by phone manufacturers, as they can charge a premium for their phones and, when the glass inevitably shatters, consumers will pay again for a new phone or a glass replacement.
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Glass screens are more profitable for phone companies as they look better and need to be replaced more often
Glass screens are more profitable for phone companies as they are more aesthetically pleasing and need to be replaced more frequently than plastic screens.
Glass screens are more profitable for phone companies because they are more scratch-resistant than plastic screens. Glass has a Mohs hardness of 5.5, making it harder than anything else that is usually kept in one's pocket, such as keys, which have a hardness of 2-3. On the other hand, most plastics have a hardness of less than 1, meaning they are highly susceptible to scratches. As a result, glass screens are less likely to be damaged by everyday items, while plastic screens can be easily ruined by coming into contact with items in one's pocket or purse, such as sand, dirt, or metal. This makes the lifespan of phones with plastic screens much shorter for most users, as the screens quickly become marred by scratches, detracting from the overall appearance of the phone.
In addition to being more scratch-resistant, glass screens are also more profitable for phone companies as they need to be replaced more often than plastic screens. Plastic screens are generally shatter-proof unless they are intentionally cut or burned. In contrast, glass screens are more prone to shattering upon impact, such as when a phone is dropped. As a result, users with glass screens may need to frequently replace their screens or purchase a new phone altogether, generating more revenue for phone companies.
While plastic screens may be more resistant to shattering, they are more likely to warp and disfigure with heat. Plastic can also be worn down by repeated friction or exposure to natural skin oils. These factors can detract from the overall user experience and the appearance of the phone, further reducing the profitability of plastic screens for phone companies.
It is worth noting that some users prefer glass screens because they feel nicer and are less yielding. Additionally, glass can be coated with durable anti-reflection and anti-smudge treatments, enhancing the user experience. From a marketing perspective, glass screens are also more appealing to consumers as they look better. This combination of factors contributes to the higher profitability of glass screens for phone companies.
In summary, glass screens are more profitable for phone companies as they are more scratch-resistant, need to be replaced more frequently due to shattering, and offer a superior user experience and appearance compared to plastic screens. These factors contribute to the widespread adoption of glass screens in the smartphone industry.
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Glass screens feel nicer and are less yielding than plastic screens
Glass screens are more scratch-resistant than plastic screens. Glass has a Mohs hardness of 5.5, while plastic has a hardness of less than 1, meaning it can be scratched by materials with a hardness of 1 or more, including pocket lint, dirt, sand, and fingernails (which have a hardness of 2-3). Glass can also take durable anti-reflection and anti-smudge coatings, and is extremely resistant to scratching.
Plastic screens are more susceptible to warping and disfiguring with heat, and can be worn down by repeated friction or natural skin oils. Glass screens, on the other hand, are more resistant to heat and less likely to be affected by friction or skin oils.
Glass screens also have a smoother and silkier feel than plastic screens, which can feel cheap even before they are scratched. The tactile sensation of a glass screen contributes to a more premium user experience.
While plastic screens are thinner and lighter than glass, this can also be a disadvantage as it may incur a volume penalty and connectors have volume. Plastic screens can also be less flexible and more difficult to install on certain phone models.
Overall, glass screens offer superior scratch resistance, durability, and tactile sensation compared to plastic screens, making them a preferred choice for smartphone manufacturers and consumers.
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Plastic screens can warp and disfigure with heat and can be worn down by friction or natural skin oils
Plastic screens are not widely used because they are highly susceptible to wear and tear. Plastic can warp and disfigure when exposed to heat, and can also be worn down by friction or natural skin oils. For example, plastic screens can be easily scratched by pocket lint with a few specs of sand or dirt, or by other items in one's pocket or purse, such as keys. This leaves permanent scratches on the screen and significantly reduces the lifespan of the phone.
Plastic screens are also considered aesthetically unpleasing, even before they are scratched. They are perceived as looking "cheap", and this perception can negatively impact a brand's image. Consumers may associate the use of plastic screens with outdated technology, which can deter them from purchasing phones with plastic screens.
In contrast, glass screens are highly scratch-resistant, with a Mohs hardness of 5.5, which is harder than anything else typically found in one's pocket, such as steel (which has a hardness of around 4). Glass can also take durable anti-reflection and anti-smudge coatings, enhancing its resistance to scratching.
While plastic screens offer the advantage of being shatter-proof, they are not as impact-resistant as glass screens. A fall on a pointed object can leave a permanent dent in a plastic screen, whereas glass screens are more likely to shatter and absorb the impact, potentially saving the phone's screen.
Additionally, glass screens provide a smoother and more premium feel compared to plastic. This tactile experience is an important consideration in consumer electronics, influencing purchasing decisions.
To summarize, plastic screens are not widely adopted due to their propensity for warping and disfiguring with heat, their susceptibility to scratches and wear from friction and natural skin oils, their unappealing aesthetic, and their lower impact resistance compared to glass. Glass screens, while prone to shattering, offer superior scratch resistance, a smoother feel, and a more premium appearance, making them the preferred choice for smartphone manufacturers and consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic screens are more susceptible to scratching than glass screens. Glass has a Mohs hardness of 5.5, while plastic is usually less than 1. This means that plastic screens can be scratched by everyday items such as keys, coins, and even your fingernails.
Glass screens are also more durable than plastic in terms of heat resistance. Plastic can warp and disfigure when exposed to high temperatures.
While plastic screens are shatter-proof, they are also less flexible and more difficult to install on phones. Plastic screens also look cheaper than glass screens, which may negatively impact sales.
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