SCHOTT, a specialist in special glass, is entering the flagship smartphone market by introducing a cover glass that uses lithium aluminoborosilicate glass for the first time in cover glass materials, improving drop durability by 100% compared to its predecessor.

Schott held a global launch event online on the 11th and officially released Xensation® α, a cover glass made of a new material. This marks the first time that lithium aluminoborosilicate glass (hereinafter LAB glass), which adds the metalloid boron to the existing standard cover glass materials of lithium and aluminum, has been used as a cover glass material.

Drop resistance has been dramatically improved by more than 100% compared to products currently on the market, and scratch resistance has also been greatly improved. The Schott Sensation Alpha is set to be featured in Vivo's upcoming new flagship smartphone.

Schott, who first invented special glass, continues to develop new special glass to this day.

Since Schott first developed and launched lithium aluminosilicate glass (hereinafter LAS glass) cover glass in 2011, LAS glass has become the standard material for high-end cover glass products.

Schott, having once again introduced LAB glass to cover glass, expects this new product to usher in a new era of cover glass.

“Laboratory drop tests have proven that the drop durability of Sensation Alpha cover glass has been dramatically improved,” said Dr. Lutz Klippe, General Manager of the Cover Glass Product Group. “This new product has dramatically improved the quality of cover glass and expanded the range of choices for smartphone manufacturers for their top-tier product lines,” he explained regarding the new material cover glass.

When looking at the advantages of Sensation Alpha cover glass, compared to other LAS-based premium cover glass from other manufacturers, it showed significantly improved drop durability in drop tests from twice the height, and demonstrated excellent durability, especially when dropped on a rough surface.

Knoop hardness test results showed higher scratch resistance than cover glass made of conventional aluminosilicate (AS) glass or lithium aluminosilicate (LAS) glass.

It possesses the chemical strengthening potential of lithium aluminosilicate (LAS) glass, as well as the hard glass structure of glass ceramics and the scratch resistance of borosilicate glass.

The innovative LABS cover glass has very strong durability due to a composition that adds metalloid boron in addition to the existing industry standard components of lithium and aluminum.

Schott and Vivo have built a strong partnership over the years, and Vivo's upcoming flagship smartphone is set to feature Sensation Cover Glass for the first time.

Sensation Alpha has improved ion exchange performance compared to conventional LAS glass, enabling deeper chemical strengthening, which strengthens the glass and increases drop resistance. In addition, scratch resistance has been improved by adding boron.

Since Schott first developed and released a cover glass made of LAS glass, LAS glass has now become the product standard for high-end cover glass. Schott, possessing unrivaled knowledge in the field of glass and glass ceramics and a global development network, has once again opened a new era with Sensation Alpha LABS glass.

Sensation Alpha is a prime example of how a traditional company with over 130 years of history, like Schott, incorporates its long-standing know-how into unique and innovative new products. Schott's founder, Otto Schott, was the first to invent special glass by adding lithium to glass mixtures, and the newly launched Sensation Alpha is based on his discovery.

The fact that Schott has collaborated with global smartphone manufacturers in the cover glass sector for many years since supplying Sensation LAS cover glass to Chinese smartphone manufacturers in 2011 demonstrates that Schott has earned the trust of its clients through rapid response, product supply, and the consistent provision of high-quality products.

Xensation® Flex, the latest product for foldable smartphones, clearly demonstrates Schott's innovation. Flexible displays and UTG covers for premium smartphones are made possible by the chemically reinforced UTG Xensation® Flex. As a supplier to Samsung, Schott is creating a new generation of devices known as foldable screens.

Schott's most advanced LAS cover glass, Xensation® Up, is installed in the Vivo X60 Pro and Vivo X70 Pro to reliably protect smartphones from everyday impacts. Schott's glass is also used in the Oppo Watch and Huawei Honor Play 5.