CCS Insight, an analyst firm, has forecasted that self-repairing screens for smartphones, capable of fixing minor damages like scratches and dents, could become a reality by 2028. In its roundup of predictions for the technology industry beyond 2024, the firm outlines advancements expected in various areas, including the prospect of innovative displays in consumer devices.
The proposed technology relies on a nano-coating applied to the surface of the screen. If the display sustains scratches, the coating reacts with the air, triggering the formation of new material that fills in the marks.
While this self-healing capability may not address significant visible cracks, it is anticipated to effectively tackle the common scratches incurred through everyday use or carrying phones in pockets.
CCS Insight expresses confidence that a phone company or a glass manufacturer, such as Corning, will introduce self-repairing screens within the next five years, with a potential timeline extending up to 2028.
Notably, attempts at developing self-healing screens have been made in the past. LG, in 2013 and 2015 with the G Flex and G Flex 2 smartphones, claimed to have a self-repairing coating, but practical results were far from impressive, often taking hours to show any effect. In 2017, a Motorola patent surfaced, proposing the use of a “shape memory polymer” that could repair damage through thermal cycling, leveraging the phone’s own heat source.
The prospect of smartphones with screens capable of autonomously repairing minor damages could bring a significant advancement to the durability and longevity of these devices.
