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Samsung Galaxy S4 to boast an 'unbreakable' screen

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will have an indestructible screen when it arrives in the new year, according to new reports.

Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
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Richard Trenholm
2 min read

Unbreakable blower! The Samsung Galaxy S4 will have an indestructible screen when it arrives in the new year, according to new reports.

The follow-up to the smash hit Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Galaxy S2 is expected in Spring, and could sport a screen made of plastic substrate that will fight off cracks and scratches even if dropped.

Reuters reports the screen will be unbreakable, like Bruce Willis in that film. You know, the one where he's unbreakable. What was that film called? Never mind, it'll come to me.

Extra-tough plastic substrate is set to replace all-too-fragile glass displays because OLED screens can be covered by either. Samsung is also reported to be working on flexible screens, with the S4 possibly in line for a curved display.

Currently, many phone screens are covered with super-tough Corning Gorilla Glass, which fights off everyday scratches and scuffs. Today's screens are pretty hardy -- the Nokia Lumia 900 can withstand a hammer and nails -- but even ape-like strength doesn't help when you drop your phone from a great height, so I'd love to see screens that can stand up to my butterfingered lack of grip.

There are toughened drop-proof phones like the Panasonic Eluga and JCB Toughphone available now, but they tend to be cheaper or mid-range phones for some reason -- you have to choose between a tough phone or decent specs, because it seems you can't have both.

What do you want to see in the S4? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.