Apple is expected to extend the use of sapphire glass home keys to its new 9.7-inch iPad and 7.9-inch iPad mini to be launched in October, and possibly further adopt sapphire for making touch screen covers for its new iPhone to be launched in 2014, according to Taiwan-based sapphire makers.
Apple first adopted sapphire to make covers of iPhone 5 cameras and now the material is also used in making covers of iPhone 5S finger print-recognizing home keys, the sources noted. Apple in March 2013 filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office an application concerning high-temperature lamination of sapphire layers, the sources noted.
However, cost of sapphire ingots may a major concern, the sources said. For example, costs of the iPhone's sapphire covers are as much as five times those for iPhone covers made from other materials, the sources noted.
