What Is Gorilla Glass?
By WillItSnap Team · March 2026
Corning's toughened glass used on most Android phones, designed to resist drops and scratches.
What Is Gorilla Glass?
Gorilla Glass is a brand of chemically strengthened glass made by Corning Inc. It is used on the screens of most Android smartphones as well as many tablets, laptops, and smartwatches. The glass is treated in a chemical bath that compresses the surface layer, making it significantly more resistant to drops and scratches than untreated glass.
Since its introduction in 2007, Gorilla Glass has gone through multiple generations, with each version improving drop resistance, scratch resistance, or both.
Gorilla Glass Generations
| Version | Year | Key Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Glass | 2008 | Original strengthened glass |
| Gorilla Glass 2 | 2012 | 20% thinner, same strength |
| Gorilla Glass 3 | 2013 | 3x more scratch resistant (NDR technology) |
| Gorilla Glass 4 | 2014 | 2x better drop performance |
| Gorilla Glass 5 | 2016 | Survives 1.6m drops onto rough surfaces |
| Gorilla Glass 6 | 2018 | Survives 15 drops from 1m |
| Gorilla Glass Victus | 2020 | 2m drop + 4x scratch resistance vs GG6 |
| Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | 2023 | Better drop on rough surfaces like concrete |
Do You Still Need a Screen Protector?
Yes, for scratch resistance. While Gorilla Glass has improved dramatically in drop resistance, it still scratches from common materials like sand (quartz particles rate 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, while Gorilla Glass rates around 6-6.5). Pockets with sand or keys can leave micro-scratches.
A tempered glass screen protector adds an inexpensive sacrificial layer that takes scratches instead of your screen. When it gets scratched, you replace the $8 protector instead of the $250+ screen.
Android Phones in Our Database (135)
Most of the 135 Android phones in our database use some version of Gorilla Glass for their displays.
- Google Pixel 9a (2025)
- Google Pixel 8a (2024)
- Google Pixel 9 (2024)
- Google Pixel 9 Pro (2024)
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL (2024)
- Google Pixel 7a (2023)
- Google Pixel 8 (2023)
- Google Pixel 8 Pro (2023)
- Google Pixel 6a (2022)
- Google Pixel 7 (2022)
- Google Pixel 7 Pro (2022)
- Google Pixel 5a (2021)
- Google Pixel 6 (2021)
- Google Pixel 6 Pro (2021)
- Google Pixel 4a (2020)
- Google Pixel 4a 5G (2020)
- ...and 119 more
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest version of Gorilla Glass?
Gorilla Glass Victus 2, released in 2023, is the latest generation. It improves drop performance on rough surfaces like concrete and asphalt while maintaining high scratch resistance.
Does Gorilla Glass prevent scratches?
Gorilla Glass resists scratches from materials softer than itself (like keys, coins, and most metals). However, sand, quartz, and certain minerals can still scratch it. A screen protector provides an extra layer of defense.
Which phones use Gorilla Glass?
Most Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, and other Android flagship phones use Gorilla Glass. Apple uses its own Ceramic Shield technology instead.
Is Gorilla Glass better than Ceramic Shield?
They are comparable. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and Ceramic Shield both offer excellent drop resistance. Ceramic Shield may have a slight edge in drop tests, while Gorilla Glass has broader industry adoption and more scratch-resistance data available.
Can Gorilla Glass crack from a drop?
Yes. While Gorilla Glass is much more drop-resistant than regular glass, it can still crack from impacts — especially on hard surfaces like concrete, on edges or corners, or from repeated drops. A case with raised edges significantly reduces crack risk.