Questions on quality of iPhone sapphire camera lens


The Verge:

JerryRigEverything tested Apple's iPhone lens with an XRF machine and electron microscope, and concluded that Apple doesn't use pure sapphire in its lenses. The underside of the lens contains less sapphire than the exposed part, and a scratching comparison with a Tissot sapphire watch showed that the lens cover will scratch at a level 6 on Mohs Scale of Hardness, compared to level 8 for the Tissot watch.

The video is embedded below and is really interesting. Basically it seems all iPhones since the 5s have a laminate lens with a sapphire exterior rather than all sapphire. The result is a lens that's more durable than various glass products, but not as durable as actual sapphire glass. But while not as durable as pure sapphire, the composite lens may offer advantages for light reflection.

Key point though is that nothing is different with the iPhone 7. I've seen people suggesting the new iPhone is different, but it appears consistent with previous models.

As far as does this matter, my experience is it's apparent that since the iPhone 5s, iPhone lenses have been more durable. After a year, every iPhone prior to the 5s suffered from degraded photos because of scratches.