One of the biggest features of the Galaxy Nexus is the huge 6.5″, 720 x 1280 HD screen. Like seriously, that’s the kind of resolution you’d be looking for in a widescreen TV – and it looks that much more brilliant to have all those pixels packed into a much smaller area.

But the quality of the screen doesn’t matter if it’s liable to break, or scratch, at the slightest impact (iPhone, anyone?). Many of the top-end Android phones have been using Gorilla Glass – a toughened variety of glass manufactured by Corning – which is extremely difficult to scratch. Samsung uses Gorilla Glass for their popular Galaxy S handsets, so many people expected the Galaxy Nexus to feature the same materials.

Sadly though, that’s not going to be the case. Corning recently tweeted that the Galaxy Nexus would not be using Gorilla Glass. Samsung has confirmed this news, and stated that the Nexus would use another type of fortified glass.

We don’t know what sort of glass this will be, or how it compares to Corning’s product. But Gorilla Glass has become the gold standard in durable smartphones, so it will be hard to convince people that another solution is just as effective. For now, if you’re looking at buying a Galaxy Nexus, it might be worth considering a case or screen protector, just for the added peace of mind.

[Via Android and Me]