What is Gorilla Glass and Why is it Important for Xiaomi?
Xiaomi smartphone screens have long been synonymous with price-performance, but their durability largely depends on the type of protective glass. Gorilla Glass is a trademark of tempered glass from Corning, which is used in most modern smartphones to protect displays from scratches and impacts. Unlike conventional glass, it undergoes special chemical treatment that increases strength by 2-3 times.
For Xiaomi owners, the question of Gorilla Glass is especially relevant: budget models of the Redmi series often save on protection, while the flagships of the Mi or POCO boast the latest versions of glass β for example, Gorilla Glass Victus or Gorilla Glass 5. But how to know what glass is installed in your device?
In this article, we will discuss:
- π± Full list of Xiaomi models with Gorilla Glass (by year and series)
- π How to check the type of glass on your smartphone
- β οΈ Myths and Truths About Gorilla Glass in Practice
- π‘ Alternative ways to protect the screen if Gorilla Glass is missing
Previous articleWhat Xiaomi is equipped with Gorilla Glass
Xiaomi rarely advertises the type of protective glass in specifications, but information can be found in official press releases, Corning certificates or device breakdowns. Below is the updated 2026 table of models with confirmed protection Gorilla Glass.
| Series | Model | Gorilla Glass version | Year of release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 | Xiaomi 14 Pro, Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | 2023β2026 | The most durable version to date. The back is also protected by the Victus 2. |
| Xiaomi 13 | Xiaomi 13 Pro, Xiaomi 13 Ultra | Gorilla Glass Victus | 2022β2023 | Screen and back. Xiaomi 13 Lite - without Gorilla Glass. |
| Redmi Note | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Gorilla Glass 5 | 2021β2023 | Only the front window. Budget versions (Note 12 4G) - no protection. |
| POCO | POCO F5 Pro, POCO X5 Pro 5G | Gorilla Glass 5 | 2022β2023 | The POCO X5 5G and younger is a regular glass. |
| Black Shark | Black Shark 5 Pro, Black Shark 4 Pro | Gorilla Glass Victus (front) | 2021β2022 | Gaming smartphones with enhanced protection. |
Important: The models below the Redmi Note 10 (2021) were mostly equipped with ordinary glass or Gorilla Glass 3, which is considered obsolete today, with the exception of the Mi 10 and Mi 11 with Gorilla Glass 5.
How to check if you have Gorilla Glass on your Xiaomi
If your model is not listed in the table above, there are several ways to find out the type of glass:
- Check the device page on mi.com or in the documents out of the box. Look for references to "Corning Gorilla Glass" in the Screen section. Xiaomi has this rare, but for flagships, information may be available.
- Install Phone INFO β SAMβ (available on Google Play) and find the "Display" section. Sometimes it specifies the type of glass. Alternatively, CPU-Z, but the data is not always accurate.
- Visual inspection: Plug on the screen a tape and abruptly rip off. If there are traces of glue, it is ordinary glass. Gorilla Glass is more resistant to such tests (but do not run an experiment unnecessarily!).
- Search YouTube for a disassembly of your model (e.g., "Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro teardown"). Authors often mention the type of glass.
β οΈ Warning: Some vendors have specs that say "tempered glass" is synonymous with Gorilla Glass. That's wrong! Tempered glass can be anything, including poor quality.
βοΈ Checklist for Gorilla Glass checklist
Gorilla Glass Myths: What's True and What's Not
There are many myths around Gorilla Glass, and we'll look at the most popular ones.
- π¨ "Gorilla Glass doesn't beat" - Lie. Glass is scratch-resistant, but when falling from a height (especially on asphalt) it can crack. Victus 2 can withstand falls from 1 meter per concrete, but does not guarantee 100% protection.
- π "All Xiaomi flagships have Gorilla Glass" β Not always. for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite is equipped with ordinary glass, despite the positioning as a "premium" device.
- π± "Gorilla Glass 5 is better than Victus" - No. Victus and Victus 2 outperform Gorilla Glass 5 in drop resistance by 2 times (according to Corning data).
- π‘οΈ "The back panel with Gorilla Glass doesn't scratch" - Partly true. The back window is usually thinner and softer than the front one, so it scratches more easily.
Real test: If you drop your smartphone from a height of 1-1.5 meters on a hard surface and the screen remains intact, most likely you have a Gorilla Glass Victus or Gorilla Glass 5. If cracks appear, it is either an outdated version (GG3) or ordinary glass.
π‘
To extend the life of a Gorilla Glass screen, use a tempered glass film (not to be confused with plastic!) that adds an extra layer of scratch protection and reduces the risk of cracking when falling.
Alternatives to Gorilla Glass in Xiaomi smartphones
Not all Xiaomi models are equipped with Gorilla Glass, and budget devices often use:
- π² Asahi Glass (AGC) β Japanese glass, close in strength to Gorilla Glass 3. 9A, Redmi 10A.
- π² Schott Xensation - German analogue, found in some models POCO (for example, POCO M4 Pro).
- π² Normal tempered glass, brandless, minimally protected, typical for devices under 15,000. β½.
Alternatives are generally cheaper, but Gorilla Glass loses on drop and scratch tests. For example, Asahi Glass starts scratching at a pressure of 5-6 N (newtons), while Gorilla Glass 5 can withstand up to 8-9 N.
β οΈ Note: If your Xiaomi has a regular glass, the risk of screen damage when falling increases 3-4 times. In this case, be sure to use a case with protruding edges and protective film.
How to distinguish Asahi Glass from Gorilla Glass?
Should I buy Xiaomi without Gorilla Glass?
It all depends on your habits:
- β Yes, if: You're a good technician and always use a case, budget is limited, and there are no Gorilla Glass alternatives in your price range, performance is more important than durability (e.g., performance, POCO X5 Pro with Snapdragon 778G Redmi Note 12 Pro with Gorilla Glass 5).
- β Not if: You drop your phone often or carry it without a case. You plan to use your smartphone for longer than 2 years (the risk of cracks increases over time). AMOLED-screen (repair is more expensive than the IPS).
For reference, replacing a screen with a Xiaomi without Gorilla Glass costs an average of 20 to 30 percent less than a protected model, but that doesnβt justify the risks if youβre not ready for frequent repairs.
π‘
Xiaomiβs flagships (13/14 series, Black Shark) with Gorilla Glass Victus pay off their price at the expense of durability. Budget models (Redmi A2, POCO M5) without protection require additional investments in accessories.
How to increase screen protection if Gorilla Glass is missing
If your Xiaomi is not equipped with Gorilla Glass, use these tips:
- Install tempered glass Choose glass with a hardness of 9H and an oleophobic coating. Xiaomi will suit the brands Spigen, Nillkin or Belkin. Avoid cheap Chinese glass, which is often thicker than 0.3 mm, which reduces the sensitivity of the screen.
- Models with edge projections (such as UAG or Ringke Fusion) absorb the impact when falling. For Xiaomi with large screens (6.5" and above), this is critical.
- DBrand or Skinomi films protect not only from scratches, but also from moisture. They are suitable for models without official IP53 protection.
- In some countries (e.g. Russia), operators offer screen insurance for 1-3% of the cost of a smartphone per month.
Professional life hack: If you drop your phone frequently, buy a second safety glass and carry it with you. If you scratch it deep, you can quickly replace it yourself in 5 minutes.