Apple Commits $2.5B to US iPhone, Apple Watch Glass Manufacturing

Apple is advancing its innovation in device design with a new patent for an all-glass, six-sided enclosure that integrates display, sensors, and input systems into a seamless crystalline shell, allowing interaction from any angle and enhancing spatial computing and AR experiences. In parallel, Apple is investing heavily in domestic manufacturing, committing $2.5 billion to expand its partnership with Corning to produce 100% of the cover glass for iPhone and Apple Watch units in the U.S., specifically at Corning’s Harrodsburg, Kentucky facility. This investment will create about 50% more jobs locally and includes establishing an Apple-Corning Innovation Center to develop new materials and manufacturing technologies. Apple’s move is part of a broader $600 billion American Manufacturing Program aimed at strengthening U.S. supply chains and supporting domestic industry, with additional collaborations such as with Samsung for chip production in Texas. The shift to fully U.S.-made smartphone glass marks a significant change from previous arrangements, where only a portion of the glass was produced domestically. Apple and Corning emphasize that this step not only bolsters American manufacturing but also ensures that every iPhone and Apple Watch sold worldwide will feature precision-made glass from the U.S.