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Sapphire vs Gorilla Glass - contrast/brightness/reflections

Marbuel
over 5 years ago

Hi guys,

anyone has seen Fenix 6 with Sapphire and Gorilla Glass next to each other? It is clear that sapphire is more scratch resistant but some people claim that sapphire is darker. I compared my old Fenix 3 sapphire with FR 645 and Fenix 5 with normal glass and I have to say that while there is slight difference under certain angles and lower light ... I would not call this significant at all. Most angles the two screens are near identical. Reflections seems kind of same as well. Anyone has pictures? Is Gorilla glass better from this point of view than the normal mineral glass on previous Garmin watches?

Thanks!

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Here's a picture of a Fenix 6 Pro with a tempered glass screen protector. It's actually really hard to notice its there! But it it slightly raised above the bezel which I don't love.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Volker

    Gorilla glass scratch just by looking at it. My watch got a small scratch while doing some moderate hiking last weekend. It's really disappointing. My mobile also has gorilla glass, and I think it is way more resistant to scratches than the watch. If you get the 6 with gorilla glass better get a screen protector asap

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to ImDisaster

    Agree, I have a 5x sapphire now.  And perhaps it looks more expensive (like I personally care).  Its the first fenix I opt'd to have the sapphire. And I regret it.  While running trail in the wood, or shade, its nuts how often I had to turn on the backlight or remove my sunglasses to actually read the thing.  Never had that with any prior garmin.  I plan on 6x Solar,  and i'll just protect it from inevitable falls with a screen protector..(already read gobs of reports on good ones that dont impare visibilty or light radiating through itg)

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago

    I'm not sure where all that hate to sapphire comes from in this thread. I have been using F3 sapphire since it came out and never had issue with reading the screen. If you can't read the screen, maybe you need to check the watch face you are using. I use a custom watch face that's basically white on black and it never failed me. I noticed something when I switched to F5 sapphire, the F5 had a flat lens while F3 had a domed lens. Still, I don't think they do anything to reduce reflection. I have used phones with gorilla glass and had them scratched over long time of use. Based on the fact that fenix 6x power glass is using gorilla DX, not the more scratch resistant DX+, I do not believe it is sensible to wear something as expensive as a new iphone on my wrist and knowing it can be scratched easily. 

    And I can't be the only one who often uses the reflective screen as a mirror. I'm in the military, there are many times I used my watch to make sure my head gear is on correctly, my face has been fully shaved in the field, or my face camo has good coverage. Not saying that gorilla glass won't help in those situations but I'm just saying, reflective screen is not all bad. 

    Bottom line, if you want a rugged, outdoor worthy fenix watch with proven reliability, go with sapphire. Personally, I may consider solar if Garmin uses DX+ for the screen and the prices isn't too much different from sapphire version. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    my new Gorilla Glass F6 Pro just came in today- and I was amazed at the contrast as compared to my old Sapphire F3HR.

    toughness:  You'll notice the scratches on the bezel of my old F3HR- I flew off my bicycle at 20mph and landed on the watch.  The band snapped, the watch left bloody divots in my wrist- by the sapphire is still immaculate after 3 years of daily use.  so- yeah, sapphire is tougher. 

    But- the clarity and contrast of the Gorilla glass is so much better- I think I'll just save the money.  darn- I was deciding whether to upgrade to the titanium... or that gorgeous red heather band.  now- I just think I want the noticeably better looking display.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to scotthunter2

    That is my experience with sapphire as well. Always looks dirty and smudgy, always cleaning it. I don’t think it’s the coating. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to goosjuh

    6 xPro: Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 . Garmin website 

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    a couple more sapphire vs gorilla pics.  it doesn't matter what angle- the sapphire has just far worse reflection.  (the refractive index of sapphire is 1.77, vs 1.5ish for gorilla glass).  Hmmm- decisions, decisions. really effects the contrast.  when running and cycling with the F6P yesterday- every time I looked at the watch, I was surprised by how easy it was to read in comparison.  

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to morey000

    I am struggling with this decision as well. However, if I returned the Sapphire, I would absolutely use a tempered glass screen protector. Would that add reflection and basically make them equal again? Maybe the contrast would be a little higher. And the bezel would likely scratch much much easier which will drive me nuts. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to runfreddyrun

    you have another option.  the Solar versions come with gorilla glass AND DLC (or titanium).  granted- a lot of extra coin for something I'm going to keep for 3 years before I buy a fenix 9