Steve Jobs' High-Stakes Pitch Redefined Smartphone Screens Forever

Apple's historic collaboration with Corning Inc. to produce the first iPhone screen was driven by a bold, high-pressure pitch from Steve Jobs, according to the CEO of the glassmaker. Wendell Weeks, who still leads Corning, recounted how Jobs confronted the company's reluctance to take on the iPhone project in 2007, accusing its leadership of being "afraid" to embrace the risk of a revolutionary product. This pivotal moment, as detailed in an AppleInsider report, ultimately led to a partnership that reshaped the smartphone industry and cemented Corning's role as a key supplier for Apple's devices.

At the time, Corning was hesitant to commit to producing the glass screen for the iPhone, with internal discussions suggesting the company should turn down the contract. Jobs, however, leveraged his reputation for demanding excellence and fearlessness to sway Weeks. "Do you know what your problem is? You're afraid. You know, you're afraid I'm going to launch the biggest product in history, and I'm not going to be able to do it because you failed, and I'm going to eviscerate you," Jobs reportedly told Weeks, according to AppleInsider. The exchange, described as a masterclass in persuasion, pushed Corning to take the risk, leading to the development of Gorilla Glass, which became the standard for smartphone screens.

The partnership has since evolved, with Corning now supplying advanced Ceramic Shield 2 technology for the iPhone 17. Apple recently announced a $2.5 billion investment to produce iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass in the U.S., a move that will triple production capacity at Corning's Harrodsburg, Kentucky factory and expand its workforce by 50%, according to AppleInsider. This domestic production initiative aligns with Apple's broader strategy to diversify manufacturing away from China, as seen in the recent shift to Vietnam for the M5 Vision Pro, as noted in a Bloomberg report.

Meanwhile, Apple faces ongoing legal challenges, including its appeal in the Epic Games App Store case. The company is seeking to overturn a federal judge's order barring it from collecting commissions on off-App Store purchases, arguing the ruling imposes undue financial penalties, according to Reuters. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to rule by early 2026, with potential implications for Apple's $10 billion-a-year App Store revenue, as outlined in a Bloomberg article.

Investor sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, with Loop Capital upgrading Apple to "Buy" and raising its price target to $315, citing strong iPhone 17 demand and a multi-year growth cycle through 2027, according to a Yahoo Finance report. Recent sales data also highlights robust performance, with iPhone 17 sales up 14% year-over-year in key markets like the U.S. and China, as reported by Nasdaq.