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First smartphone with diamond display tipped for 2019 release

The screen would feature lab-grown diamonds in a “nanocrystal” pattern to make it significantly more durable current phone displays.
By
February 5, 2018
JDI bezel-less display
TL;DR
  • The first diamond-based smartphone display is expected to be launched in 2019 by Akhan Semiconductor.
  • The technology is already in testing, and is said to allow for six times stronger and ten times harder displays.
  • Akhan Semiconductor will partner with just one smartphone manufacturer at first, giving that OEM a unique advantage.

The first smartphone with a diamond display is expected to be released in 2019. Diamond semiconductor company Akhan Semiconductor is developing the new technology, which is said to provide for smartphone displays that are six times stronger and ten times harder than what’s currently on the market.

The technology, known as Mirage Diamond Glass, uses lab-grown diamonds in a “nanocrystal” pattern to reduce the display’s tendency to crack. This diamond glass can also be used in conjunction with existing screen coatings such as Gorilla Glass to protect the underlying panel even further.

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According to CNET, Akhan’s partners are testing the technology right now to ensure it works as intended and still allows the display to be interacted with properly. They’re also seeking to reduce device reflectance so that it’s easy to view in bright conditions.

Akhan Semiconductor will work with only one smartphone manufacturer in the beginning—a decision made partly due to manufacturing constraints but also because it would give a single OEM bragging rights about the feature. Last year, CNET said that the first manufacturer to implement Akhan’s tech would also be one of the smaller OEMs, not the major players like Samsung, Apple, HUAWEI, or Xiaomi.

Bearing in mind that this type of display would be more expensive to implement than regular a regular screen, who would you like to see Akhan partner with on this? Let us know in the comments.