Apple is using a thinner and stronger glass screen for the soon-to-be-released iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 and the likelihood is, the tech giant will skip the display protection technology from Corning Gorilla starting this year.

The tech giant, according to Patently Apple, has a new production process "for strengthening thin glass that involves the use of a very sophisticated Glass Ion Exchange Bath system."

This manufacturing technique was revealed in a new patent application that Apple filed before the European authorities with the possibility "of using it in future products," the same report said.

While there is no assurance that Apple is ready to deploy the new device screen protection with its upcoming gadget releases this year, starting off with the iPhone 5S, but the technology represents a big jump from the Thin Glass Integrated Touch that the tech giant has launched with the iPhone 5 last year.

Back then, Apple enginners successfully compressed the iPhone 5 display glass screen by up to 30 per cent from its predecessor while at the same time giving the panel component its built-in touch sensors.

With the new technology, the same attributes will be sustained and improved, likely resulting to lighter but more robust iOS devices.

According to the Apple patent, the newly developed thin glass is highly suitable for use with small gadgets, like iPhones and iPods, with LCD displays though the tech giant did not discount the possibility of employing the same technology in protecting the glass displays found on iPads and Macs.

More reliable glass strength is achieved by "using a new monitored ion exchange bath process," the Patently Apple report said.

The whole process involves chemical treatment episodes that ensure "the ion exchange bath remains balanced," which in turn certifies that the thin glass protector will remain sturdy as intended.

The patent was revealed following earlier reports that Apple is mulling the use of sapphire coating to protect iOS devices against dents and scratches. But the plan was reportedly nixed due to mass production issues and economic viability.