Apple to use Sapphire, a crystalline form of aluminium oxide on iOS Phablet

Sapphire will surely be part of the rumored iOS phablet, the iPhone 6, as Apple announced that it has secured a steady and relatively affordable source of the sturdy coating material. A report from earlier this year suggested that future smartphones from Apple may use sapphire, a crystalline form of aluminium oxide, instead of more traditional forms of glass.

The tech giant, according to Apple Insider, will be sourcing its sapphire requirements soon from GT Advance Technologies. The partnership between the two firms will reportedly cost $578 million.

With the deal, the iPhone maker is assured that it will have access to cheaper sapphire materials for various use on iOS and OS X devices. There was no mention on the actual production timetable but the large-screen iPhone 6 could be a direct beneficiary of the multi-million dollar deal in case the next-gen device is indeed issued in the third quarter of 2014.

Sapphire is already part of the iOS supply chain, presently used by Apple manufacturers to protect the camera lens and Touch ID button of the iPhone 5S.

Apple watchers are convinced the crystallised aluminium oxide will play a bigger role in upcoming mobile gadgets from the company. Currently in focus is the possibility that Apple will ditch the Corning Gorilla Glass coating used on previous iPhone builds.

In its stead, the next iPhones would be completely wrapped in sapphire, possibly rendering the upcoming iPhone 6 scratch-free through the life of the product.

Another plus is in the form-factor area. Sapphire rendered on mobile devices is thinner compared to Gorilla Glass. Employing the material would give Apple more room to design and manufacture slimmer and lighter iPhones and iPads.