**Apple's Latest Display Upgrade: The Nano Textured Glass**

Which now comes with two screen options, you can get your normal gloss display or for the first time, you can get a new nano textured option rather than the typical covering or finish that goes over your glass display. The glass is actually etched it is etched in with lasers to create a non-reflective finish to the otherwise glossy surface. This isn't the first time we've seen Apple's nano etched glass option, but it is also an option on the Pro Display XDR.

**Understanding the Nano Textured Glass**

The new nano textured glass option reduces how much light is reflecting back at you by scattering and diffusing the light. Essentially, it makes a huge difference in certain shots that can't be told apart when the displays are off. You can easily see the difference between the two displays when they're turned on. The one on the left has a matte finish, while the one on the right is clearly glossy.

**The Benefits of Nano Textured Glass**

Apple covers the entire glass panel with the nano etch surface, except for the new 1080p camera that has a glossy finish just around it. This makes sense because you don't want to mess up the lens of your camera by using a matte finish. The only part that is not matte finished is up at the top, which is where the new facetime camera has a glossy finish.

**Not Just Aesthetics**

The nano etched surface also provides good contrast and diffuses harsh light. For example, when looking at this screenshot and comparing it to this shot, it's much clearer on the glossy screen than the etch screen. However, there are drawbacks to this option. Notably, it's not as sharp. If you look at this high-intensity flashlight, it really shows off how much this is glossy and reflective.

**A Slightly Subtle Difference**

However, when comparing it to the matte display version, the difference is very subtle. You can definitely still see that flashlight aimed at the screen, but it's not nearly as intense or bright or distracting as it is on the glossy version. This new nano textured glass option may not be a game-changer in every situation.

**Fragility and Cleaning**

One downside to the nano etched surface is that it's kind of fragile. Apple recommends only cleaning it with its own cleaning cloth, which comes included in the box. You can always order another one from Apple if you need to replace it. The cloth feels incredibly soft and almost like suede. It's two layers when held together, making it easy to buff out any fingerprints or smudges on your nano textured glass surface.

**A Special Cleaning Solution**

However, this has led some to question why you can't just wipe it clean with anything else. It seems absurd that the only way to clean this display is by using an Apple polishing cloth. We hate that there's even a need for an additional option like this. Fortunately, replacement cloths are available through Apple.

**Testing the Nano Textured Glass**

Another good test of the nano etched glass was when comparing it to a regular screen on our computer screens or video. It wasn't nearly as impactful in real life either. The difference is only really noticeable in certain situations, such as when bright lights like this one are present. However, even then, things in the background that should be reflected aren't actually visible.

**Conclusion**

Overall, Apple's new nano textured glass option may not be a game-changer for everyone. However, after using it, especially in my studio where I have a lot of stuff going on, I can honestly say I love it. The finish is amazing and really adds to the overall aesthetic of my Mac. While it's no doubt expensive at $500, it's an option that comes with its own set of benefits.

**The Future of Apple Displays**

I would love to see this nano textured glass option brought to the portable lineup as well. It would be amazing on a MacBook Pro and would likely make a huge difference in their design. I'd also love to know what our readers think about this new feature. Let us know in the comments down below.

**Grab an iMac**

If you're interested in trying out Apple's new nano textured glass option for yourself, grab an iMac down below.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwelcome everyone to apple insider we have been testing out the latest 27-inch imac 2020 which now comes with two screen options you can get your normal gloss display or for the first time you can get a new nano textured option rather than the typical covering or finish that goes over your glass display the glass is actually etched it is etched in with lasers to create a non-reflective finish to the otherwise glossy surface this isn't the first time we've seen apple's nano etched glass option it is also an option on the pro display xdr here's apple's little diagram of what it means essentially it's just scattering the light diffusing the light reducing how much it is reflecting back at you and honestly it makes a huge difference some of the shots you can't tell but here with the displays off you can easily see how much of a difference there is the one on the left has that matte finish and the one on the right is clearly glossy hi you can see me right there apple covers the entire glass panel with that nano etch surface the only part that is not matte finished is up at the top which is that new 1080p camera that new facetime camera has a glossy finish just around it which makes sense because you don't want to be messing up the lens you don't want a matte finish on the lens of your camera you want that thing to stay very clear so there is a clear coating clear surface right in front of that front facing camera but otherwise you have a matte surface all around and it gives you a good contrast right here on the same display of what that lens looks like with the gloss surface versus the rest of the display again you can see where you'd really be seeing some harsh light but it's just being completely diffused by the nano etched surface now there are drawbacks to this notably it's not as sharp here if you look at this screenshot and compare it to this shot here it is much clearer on the glossy screen than the etch screen it's not nearly as bad as if you put an actual just screen protector over that made it you know matte but it is definitely noticeable by just a little bit personally i don't mind it it makes just a huge difference for me especially in my studio with so many lights look at this high intensity flashlight it really shows off how much this is glossy and reflective and we go to our matte display version and it's very subtle it's still there you can definitely still see it we're not pretending that you can't see that flashlight aimed to the screen but it's not nearly as intense or bright or distracting as it is on the glossy version another downside to that nano etched surface because it is kind of fragile apple recommends only cleaning it with its own cleaning cloth of course one is included in the box and you can always order another one from apple and it's almost like a suede like material it feels kind of it is very soft it is very like i don't even know really how to describe it it's just incredibly soft it's not quite microfiber it really feels almost like a very soft suede and it's two layers when the edges are held together and you can just use this to buff out any fingerprints or anything else you get on your nano textured glass surface honestly it seems a little bit ridiculous that the only way that you can clean this display is by using an apple polishing cloth it seems absurd and i'm glad you can get replacement ones through apple but we hate that that is an option that you have to have at all why can't you just wipe it clean with anything else but really we're not about to try it because it is a 500 add-on here's another good test where you can see the difference between the two displays it isn't nearly as impactful in real life either it's definitely looked more substantial here on our computer screens or here on the video as we brightened up the brightness so you can see it a little bit more but it really is diffused quite well on the nano textured surface versus the glossy one and here's something else notice we're just in my room in the studio and you can see the shell and the tv actually reflected in that glossy one so while a bright like a bright light like a flashlight is very intense something like this just things in the background are easily reflected on my normal imac but they aren't reflected at all on my nano textured option i know 500 is no small sum to upgrade to this nano textured surface but honestly after using it especially in my studio where i've got a lot of stuff going on i can't go back it is just so much nicer to use i love the finish on it i really wish apple would bring this to its portable lineup as well i'd love to see this on my macbook pro i want to know what you guys think let me know over on twitter andrew underscore osu and grab an imac down below youwelcome everyone to apple insider we have been testing out the latest 27-inch imac 2020 which now comes with two screen options you can get your normal gloss display or for the first time you can get a new nano textured option rather than the typical covering or finish that goes over your glass display the glass is actually etched it is etched in with lasers to create a non-reflective finish to the otherwise glossy surface this isn't the first time we've seen apple's nano etched glass option it is also an option on the pro display xdr here's apple's little diagram of what it means essentially it's just scattering the light diffusing the light reducing how much it is reflecting back at you and honestly it makes a huge difference some of the shots you can't tell but here with the displays off you can easily see how much of a difference there is the one on the left has that matte finish and the one on the right is clearly glossy hi you can see me right there apple covers the entire glass panel with that nano etch surface the only part that is not matte finished is up at the top which is that new 1080p camera that new facetime camera has a glossy finish just around it which makes sense because you don't want to be messing up the lens you don't want a matte finish on the lens of your camera you want that thing to stay very clear so there is a clear coating clear surface right in front of that front facing camera but otherwise you have a matte surface all around and it gives you a good contrast right here on the same display of what that lens looks like with the gloss surface versus the rest of the display again you can see where you'd really be seeing some harsh light but it's just being completely diffused by the nano etched surface now there are drawbacks to this notably it's not as sharp here if you look at this screenshot and compare it to this shot here it is much clearer on the glossy screen than the etch screen it's not nearly as bad as if you put an actual just screen protector over that made it you know matte but it is definitely noticeable by just a little bit personally i don't mind it it makes just a huge difference for me especially in my studio with so many lights look at this high intensity flashlight it really shows off how much this is glossy and reflective and we go to our matte display version and it's very subtle it's still there you can definitely still see it we're not pretending that you can't see that flashlight aimed to the screen but it's not nearly as intense or bright or distracting as it is on the glossy version another downside to that nano etched surface because it is kind of fragile apple recommends only cleaning it with its own cleaning cloth of course one is included in the box and you can always order another one from apple and it's almost like a suede like material it feels kind of it is very soft it is very like i don't even know really how to describe it it's just incredibly soft it's not quite microfiber it really feels almost like a very soft suede and it's two layers when the edges are held together and you can just use this to buff out any fingerprints or anything else you get on your nano textured glass surface honestly it seems a little bit ridiculous that the only way that you can clean this display is by using an apple polishing cloth it seems absurd and i'm glad you can get replacement ones through apple but we hate that that is an option that you have to have at all why can't you just wipe it clean with anything else but really we're not about to try it because it is a 500 add-on here's another good test where you can see the difference between the two displays it isn't nearly as impactful in real life either it's definitely looked more substantial here on our computer screens or here on the video as we brightened up the brightness so you can see it a little bit more but it really is diffused quite well on the nano textured surface versus the glossy one and here's something else notice we're just in my room in the studio and you can see the shell and the tv actually reflected in that glossy one so while a bright like a bright light like a flashlight is very intense something like this just things in the background are easily reflected on my normal imac but they aren't reflected at all on my nano textured option i know 500 is no small sum to upgrade to this nano textured surface but honestly after using it especially in my studio where i've got a lot of stuff going on i can't go back it is just so much nicer to use i love the finish on it i really wish apple would bring this to its portable lineup as well i'd love to see this on my macbook pro i want to know what you guys think let me know over on twitter andrew underscore osu and grab an imac down below you\n"