Apple Invites Reporters Into Testing Lab, Details iPhone 6 Plus Durability Tests

Cap boy is actually unbox therapy and I rate his videos and youtube channel very highly! He is just doing the bending as a fun test. It's intersting to see but not surprising and he's plenty high profile enough, more than the press that were invited. They say press but they mean PR.

I agree, I like Lew a lot and have followed his channel for years.

He is a not some sort of "fandroid" type of guy out to get Apple. I heard him on a few news interviews after the fact, and he was very clear that he used all the strength he had to bend the phone. Although his video was the catalyst that sent this issue viral, I certainly would not blame him or infer he had any sort of anti Apple agenda.
 
I remain open minded, but I'm still not sure there's not an issue.

Totally understand that Apple thoroughly tested the new phones, but I do see one thing in common with both the original youtube video and the German one I just watched - both phones bent at pretty much the exact same spot. If you look at the photos too of the reported bent phones, they appear the same too. I may be off, but it just looks like a weak point right below the volume buttons - that's where they all seem to be bending. Granted, it takes some force for it to happen, but it also seems like once it starts to bend - that's where it hits.

The other factor I'm not seeing explored - and I'm no Engineer - but what about heat? Could that be impacting the strength? Between the heat from the battery and usage and the heat from being in a pocket, could that make it weaker? I viewed the Apple testing videos and all the machines that run the bend tests, but how about a warmed up phone that's been in someone pocket for hours? Think about it, one of the first reports was from a guy attending a wedding and driving with the phone in his pocket for a long drive.

Once last note - yes it's a small percentage, but the Plus model availability has been severely constrained - so I would guess the numbers sold and in active use are very low right now. Look at availability, yesterday there were practically no pluses available in the entire US.

Again - maybe it's not an issue, but it seems to me there's something weak about the +.

Bingo. Heat will play a major factor. and I bet the labs are air con'd.

Also, watching the video, two obvious things stand out.

The test for sitting down keeps the phone on a flat surface. Basically, its being kept flat and pushed with a cushion. Hardly a stress test.

Secondly, the real stress test used a weight of "up to 25kg". Up to? Marketing speak. Also, the stress point chosen was the midway, rather than by the obvious weak spot, next to the volume.

This feels like a cover up.

Sony had the same problem when the phones went big a couple of years ago. They switched to a round side button on the centre point to strengthen the mid section.
 
The bottom line is :
This issue is real on the 6 Plus model.
showing test labs does not change the fact that this device was bent by bare hands pressure whilst no other phone bent under the same condition.
this is clearly an issue,and anyone that denies it is ignorant.

since I was interested in buying 6 Plus and not regular 6,this durability weakness stops me from spending huge amount of money on a product that I can't trust it's build quality and durability.
specially knowing that the 6s Plus will arrive before you know it,and it will definitely address this issue among other improvements.

I will skip iPhone 6 Plus and will wait for the iPhone 6s Plus.

The S versions are always the rippen and superior versions of the original with issues ironed out.
 
Looking ahead

Major feature of the iPhone 7 should be that it is thick enough not to bend. :rolleyes:
 
The bottom line is :
This issue is real on the 6 Plus model.
showing test labs does not change the fact that this device was bent by bare hands pressure whilst no other phone bent under the same condition.
this is clearly an issue,and anyone that denies it is ignorant.

since I was interested in buying 6 Plus and not regular 6,this durability weakness stops me from spending huge amount of money on a product that I can't trust it's build quality and durability.
specially knowing that the 6s Plus will arrive before you know it,and it will definitely address this issue among other improvements.

I will skip iPhone 6 Plus and will wait for the iPhone 6s Plus.

The S versions are always the rippen and superior versions of the original with issues ironed out.

In SquareTrade's durability tests, the iPhone 6 Plus was the highest scoring phone with a display larger than 5.5". The other phones may not have bent under pressure. They broke instead.

They also did "bendability" tests for the Washington Post yesterday. It showed that if you are trying to bend an iPhone 6 Plus, you likely can, but if you are using it in a normal setting, including putting it in a tight pocket, it is unlikely to bend.
 

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The bottom line is :
This issue is real on the 6 Plus model.
showing test labs does not change the fact that this device was bent by bare hands pressure whilst no other phone bent under the same condition.
this is clearly an issue,and anyone that denies it is ignorant.

since I was interested in buying 6 Plus and not regular 6,this durability weakness stops me from spending huge amount of money on a product that I can't trust it's build quality and durability.
specially knowing that the 6s Plus will arrive before you know it,and it will definitely address this issue among other improvements.

I will skip iPhone 6 Plus and will wait for the iPhone 6s Plus.

The S versions are always the rippen and superior versions of the original with issues ironed out.

if they are fixing it in manufacture it won't matter to you. Buy now. If it bends take in and they'll replace it. By the time you replace you'll get updated spec. Thats apple customer service for you.
 
Late to the party. The only important test is is the three point test, and we don't even get a video of it. We're not given the force used for it. All we're told is that they did some tests to "simulate" real world use. Here's a guess, the tests you came up with did not actually correctly simulate real world use, so you sent out a phone that will bend. One example. That sitting test is the most ridiculous test I've seen. If someone is sitting on it, its most likely in their pocket, not just lying flat on a flat surface.
 
I see this as Apple saying:

"You know what, we're sick of this nonsense. Come see the facilities, learn the facts and report on those."

Factual journalism doesn't exist anymore. It's all about clicks and hits regardless of whether or not the story is statistically relevant or even true.

People (even/especially media folks) will say anything to get ratings/hits.
 
Hopefully this will also put to rest the comments from sycophants along the lines of "but nobody should ever put any phone in a pocket!" or "now that it's bigger, people should know that pockets are unsafe!" Regardless of whether this is actually an issue or not (and it is sure looking like it's a minimal one if anything) there have been some just ridiculous statements made in these threads.
 
It sounds like another situation where Apple's love for secrecy bit them later on.

Antennagate happened because phones were only tested without cases when used inside Apple labs fed by either in-room or nearby cell sites. Outside, in the real world, phone testers had to use a camouflage case that avoided the fingertip antenna detuning issue.

It's a pretty good bet that real world testers for the iPhone 6+ also had to use a case, which prevented bending.

Ahem. So I think Apple needs to send their next phone in development to everyone on this forum. I'm sure we'd wring it out very nicely :)
 
The bend tests. Bend it one way, straighten it the other. Hmm ...wheres the bend it one way and leave it test?

Anyway I'm sure if they didn't before every new iPhone will under go the - can we bend it with our hands test , and what happens if we sit on it test in the apple board room.

guess Johnny Ive and the rest of the apple team expected apple end users to treat the iPhone with the same awe and respect they did and not like some kid who foolishly chucks the best china tea cup in his backpack to go camping
 
I don't know if anyone already mention this, but what about material fatigue?

You know, it's like a time bomb. Hundred, thousands operation like sitting down could stress material enough so one day it could brake. Because of fatigue.
 
I'm loyal to the Apple brand because of their design and ecosystem. I'm sure many of us would say the same thing. Unfortunately, in this 'case' (note the pun...got it? ;)) it appears the 6 has a fatal flaw, the curved aluminum. I wonder if we're seeing physics in action. It looks like no matter how rigid the material, the curved design is not as strong as a box type structure (5s). I don't know how you (Apple) fix this without changing the design. I would have been happy with more of an iPad design, flat front and chamfeured edges (I'll never spell that word right). Hopefully more positive updates appear, like soon.
 
If my phone bends, I WILL take it back to Apple and ask for a replacement.


What if Apple or AT&T decides they won't replace your phone? What if they give you a refurbished phone of unknown origin?

Ohhh the what if's. He might as well disconnect from the world and stay home.

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I'm loyal to the Apple brand because of their design and ecosystem. I'm sure many of us would say the same thing. Unfortunately, in this 'case' (note the pun...got it? ;)) it appears the 6 has a fatal flaw, the curved aluminum. I wonder if we're seeing physics in action. It looks like no matter how rigid the material, the curved design is not as strong as a box type structure (5s). I don't know how you (Apple) fix this without changing the design. I would have been happy with more of an iPad design, flat front and chamfeured edges (I'll never spell that word right). Hopefully more positive updates appear, like soon.

Fatal Flaw? Seriously? I think there are customers here who need to be a certain age and have a certain level of self responsibility and common sense to own anything let alone an Apple phone.
 
Due to customers putting their iPhone + in too small a pockets I've just heard Apple is now requiring new purchasers to take a test before they can buy iPhone +

you may all remember it from childhood but I think a few may not have passed

heres a leaked internal apple training video that shows a fail. This person would not be allowed to buy an iPhone.

 
Fatal Flaw? Seriously? I think there are customers here who need to be a certain age and have a certain level of self responsibility and common sense to own anything let alone an Apple phone.

You can thank our litigious society for the lack self responsibility and common sense among the masses.
 
if they are fixing it in manufacture it won't matter to you. Buy now. If it bends take in and they'll replace it. By the time you replace you'll get updated spec. Thats apple customer service for you.

based on what I read here they are not going to replace a bent phone under normal warranty unless Apple employee decides it was bent in a circumstance that shouldn't normally happen.
What does that exactly mean?
This does not sound assuring enough,the phone COULD bent during normal usage (ex whilst in front pocket as some users claimed) and Apple could refuse to accept that as normal usage.
Unless there is concrete assurance that they will replace a bent phone (that was not deformed intentionally) I don't feel protected.
 
With complete and genuine respect, folks, maybe it's time to move on and get a life. So a phone bends, according to some dubious internet "tests"? Whoop de doop. IF your iPhone bends, which is as likely to occur as the moon hitting the earth, deal with it accordingly, instead of debating all the "he said, she said" online with some hysterical deranged folks with nothing better to do with their empty lives than stir up discontentment based on hearsay and dubious videos.

Get a life and stop feeding the press. It's a waste of your life - which is pointless - how is ANY of this stolen time spent arguing over A PHONE... going to profit you or advance you in life? It isn't.

Your time is being stolen from you by sensationalist idiotic "news" mongers. Move on, seriously - for the sake of not being tied to the keyboard for the next few days, squandering your time which would be put to FAR better uses elsewhere.
 
We are surrounded by glass, metal, wood, concrete and drive cars and motorcycles that can kill us.
Still, we use the stuff.. Nothing, even humans, are unbreakable.
Deal with it.
I, for once, Can't wait for my HUUUUGGGEEEE 6+.
Everybody will want one now.

Cheers

Let's hope your 6+ is DOA, so you can eat your own advice.
 
I see this as Apple saying:

"You know what, we're sick of this nonsense. Come see the facilities, learn the facts and report on those."

Factual journalism doesn't exist anymore. It's all about clicks and hits regardless of whether or not the story is statistically relevant or even true.

People (even/especially media folks) will say anything to get ratings/hits.

Exactly this, to the letter. What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul? The world has gone insane ... but then... we are living in the last days, so it's all panning out exactly as predicted ... Self self self me me me profit profit profit self adorarion, how very sad :(
 
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