The Truth About Gorilla Glass: A Lesson in Vanity

When I first saw the HTC Droid DNA at CES this past January, I immediately fell in love. It has such a lovely screen that everything looks lovely on it. It’s got plenty of other great features, but I can’t even get past its looks. I would watch a movie on my Droid DNA, and I’m not even joking. Through my role as a Verizon Wireless Insider, I received a Droid DNA for review and I was a very happy camper. Even though I felt a bit like I was cheating on my Droid Razr Maxx, I just couldn’t put my DNA down. In fact, I couldn’t stop talking about it and showing it to people. It’s just that wonderful.

Vanity is never a good thing. The phone is so pretty and sleek that I didn’t want to cover it up and bulk it up with a case. And, to be fair, I’m generally pretty careful with my gadgets. Plus, the Droid DNA sports Gorilla glass, an amazing material that is scratch resistant and very strong. It’s so strong, in fact, that when I dropped my Droid Razr Maxx, it bounced down 3 concrete steps onto a brick walkway and came away with just the tiniest scuff on its corner. Amazing, right?

Fast forward to Disney World, 2013. My husband had taken the kids back to the hotel to rest and I was out taking pictures. I simply couldn’t resist a pumpkin funnel cake from the America pavilion in EPCOT. Who could, really? I squirreled away behind the pagoda in the Japan pavilion and sat on a low step to enjoy my funnel cake and catch up on email.

You know how you do things and vaguely think to yourself that perhaps whatever you’re doing isn’t such a great idea? Well, that’s the thought I had as I rested my gorgeous DNA on my lap just moments before it slipped off and onto the pavement. But after the Droid Razr Maxx fall, I wasn’t all that concerned about a one-foot drop onto the ground. Until I saw this:

Heartbreaking. And, although Gorilla Glass is less likely to scratch, it certainly does shatter. It was weeks before I stopped finding tiny shards of glass everywhere when I used my phone. The Droid DNA still takes gorgeous photos, but I do have some issues with it recognizing touch in the broken areas of the screen. And although I keep saying I’m going to return to my Droid Razr Maxx, I haven’t been able to do it. The funny thing? People still ooh and ahh over the Droid DNA, even with a shattered screen. It’s just that pretty.

So, this is a tale of caution. Protect your phone, even if it has Gorilla Glass. And don’t be distracted by pumpkin funnel cake when you’re got a precious gadget in your care…

Disclosure: I received the HTC Droid DNA for review as part of the Verizon Wireless Insider Program. There is no additional compensation and all opinions are my own.

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