iPhone 4 Drop Test with Bumper Case

[bkspero]

Not cumulative

You act as if the centrifugal forces alone caused the phone to break. I don't think you want to pursue that argument.

The fact is, the phone broke because it had been weakened by the other drops or it landed a certain way (or both). Both of these are very possible in real life.

You, of course, would've realized that if you'd stopped to think for a second. Then again, maybe not.

Tempered glass, like this, does not break from cumulative damage. If it sustains any damage, it breaks spontaneously thru the rest of the glass. I guess its possible that the metal edge or the rubberband case was damaged in the earlier drops, and that facilitated breaking of the glass on the 3rd drop. But my guess is not.

I think this is an issue of the 3rd drop orienting the glass "properly" so that the edge was impacted and it broke. If it had been oriented that way on the first drop, then it would have broken then.

 

[MorphingDragon]

This photo highlights another design flaw resulting from Apple's mania about appearance over function. You can see in this photo that the damage radiates from the edge of the glass about 1/3 the way from the left along the top of the phone as it is oriented in the photo (about 1/3 of the way up the left edge of the phone as you would be looking at it in portrait mode). That is the classic indication of where the break began.

Note that it is actually from under the rubber band case and not at some exposed area of the glass. The issue is that the iP4 design has the edges of the glass sheets completely exposed to impact rather than being protected by the hard metal/plastic case as they are in older iPhones and all other non-Apple phones. While tempered glass (such as gorilla glass) is very strong, it is very sensitive to even the tiniest chips. Whereas normal glass can chip and still be usable, tempered glass will spontaneously shatter (as you see in the photo) if it is chipped.

With its exposed edges, the glass in the iP4 needs just the smallest concentrated impact along an exposed edge with a hard object to do what you see in this photo. And hard does not need to be "harder than the glass". Only hard enough to transfer the impact at a small point to the glass edge.

You can get around this issue with a hard case. But if you're going to put one of those big ugly cases on your thin, sleek iPhone 4, you might as well have purchased a properly designed phone in the first place.

If you choose to leave your phone unprotected with either no case or a rubber case, pray that you only break the back glass. Because if you break the front glass, that means you also get to replace the retina display that is bonded to the "protective" glass.

Or that area was simply a flaw in the glass.

 

[Habakuk]

Until now there are no cases on the market that cover the tiny but precious iPhone 4 camera lens and flashlight (it's on a very exposed place and prone to scratches) so I would recommend to wait with buying any case. There are very few of such cases for previous iPhone generations available, I recommend the Griffin Clarifi Case.

ATTENTION! Please take care of that lens!!! Cover it at least with a non-sticky tape in the meantime and pull it off for taking photos and videos.

 

[smoking monkey]

So much love in the air.

Yes we repair iPhones. Yes we repaired this one. Everyone on here knows this. We are active on the boards and are constantly helping/giving advice to people.

We wanted to see if the bumper would hold up against random falls.

I've seen the 'geniuses' at apple chuck otter boxes, one time i saw one break. What's the point?

Let's have a look and see what kind of website you have?

We're merely informing the general public of how a bumper held up...simple as that...every drop is random, no two drops are the same. Could've not broken after 10 drops, but it did in fact after 3.

I will apologize for saying you have a crappy site. In fact I've never seen your site and thus shouldn't have made that assertion.

BUT, my other points still stand. The video is poorly done. It really doesn't prove anything and a slightly more scientific test would have resulted in the consumer being better informed.

I was correct - it was a way for you to pimp your business and fair play to you, but you got called on it. You have been a good sport about it though.

Good Luck with your business.

 

[bkspero]

Not the way it works with tempered glass

Or that area was simply a flaw in the glass.

That isn't the way tempered glass works. If it has a flaw in the surface, it breaks on its own. So if the glass is intact, then it has no significant flaws and is exceptionally strong. Give it a good scratch, or a tiny chip at the exposed edge, and it's gone.

Pretty design....poor function. Yet people keep buying them revision after revision. Reinforces H.L. Mencken's famous line: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." Just replace "taste" with "judgement".

 

[MorphingDragon]

That isn't the way tempered glass works. If it has a flaw in the surface, it breaks on its own. So if the glass is intact, then it has no significant flaws and is exceptionally strong. Give it a good scratch, or a tiny chip at the exposed edge, and it's gone.

Cracks in glass form from the nearest flaw from the point of impact. Tempered or non-tempered.

 

[kernkraft]

Pretty design....poor function. Yet people keep buying them revision after revision. Reinforces H.L. Mencken's famous line: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." Just replace "taste" with "judgement".

I never heard that quote but I just love it!

 

[Blorzoga]

Actually it is what SJ said. When I have to choose who is liar between them. I have to choose Steve Jobs.
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010...-steve-jobs-on-the-iphone-4-antenna-problems/

That boy genius report was proven to be fake. :

 

[res1233]

It really depends on the person. Speaking as someone who is coordinated, I rarely drop anything, so this doesn't bother me one bit, most of the time when things are falling to the ground I'm able to catch the object in mid-air, true story. On the other hand, if I were a klutz, then I would probably be worried...

 

[BlondeBuddhist]

Another egocentric attitude. Perhaps you are special and have stellar dexterity. Not everyone is as blessed as you. Some people do have issues with dropping their phone. For instance, those who are handicapped or otherwise physically challenged in some way. Maybe missing an arm or have amputated fingers. Those who have shaky hands. Older folks, plain old clumsy or heavy-handed folks. Maybe even god forbid some lapse in attentiveness. There are many people who are not as sure-handed. Ive had my 3GS phone fall out of a jacket pocket while exiting my car. And it DID indeed tumble as it met the asphalt. Luckily, it didnt break, but I have a full cover on my iphone.

The point is, accidents happen. To say it is impossible to tumble a phone is ridiculous. You come across as defensive by having such a narrow view of what constitutes effective protection for a phone. Mind you, this phone costs several hundred dollars and should come wiht adequate protection if one uses a bumper. You fail to se that. You are apologizing for Apple because their bumper does NOTHING to prevent it from shattering after only a FEW drops. That is hardly demanding of a phone protector. Hardly.

Yes. Im egocentric because I don't buy into this absurd test. Hardly

You know how you fully protect yourself from breaking this expensive device? Don't buy it. Stick with your free Nokia and drop it a hundred times, just for kicks. In fact, invite your buddies over and play who can punt the cell phone furthest.

My cases have all cost $25 or less, providing more than adequate protection. Why? I make sure I am mindful of it's whereabouts.

 

[cardsdoc]

As has previously been posted, Apple's description of the bumper mentions nothing about any protection:

"Made of durable rubber and molded plastic, the two-tone iPhone 4 Bumper fits snugly around the edges of your iPhone 4 and gives it a splash of color. It's a fun and unique way to personalize your iPhone 4."

"Dress up your iPhone 4 with an iPhone 4 Bumper. Choose one of six colors — white, black, blue, green, orange, or pink — and slip it around the edge of your iPhone 4. With metal buttons for volume and power, two-tone colors, and a combination of rubber and molded plastic, Bumpers add a touch of style to any iPhone 4."

 

[keenkreations]

Bumper should be made from hi tech
material like D3O not cheap rubber.

Check this video of Tech21 trying to smash an iPod touch with a band.

http://www.tech21.uk.com/

Oh wow...that video has convinced to buy that iPhone 4 case when it comes out! I had an Otterbox on my 3GS, but now moving over to this case.

 

[miamialley]

He didn't even show us the damage on the first 2 drops.

 

[Richard1028]

so how it falls likely affects the chances of the glass breaking.

Wow, really? Ya think?

This place is getting to be so stupid. Is it any wonder I come here but once a month or so anymore?

You iLoons are funny.

 

[CupertinoBob]

It really depends on the person. Speaking as someone who is coordinated, I rarely drop anything, so this doesn't bother me one bit, most of the time when things are falling to the ground I'm able to catch the object in mid-air, true story. On the other hand, if I were a klutz, then I would probably be worried...

I agree with you. I am on my fourth iPhone since day one with version one. I have never dropped any of my phones. I did once drop a Canon camera however, and it never worked again. I have suspected since that time that delicate electronic devices do not like to be dropped. If you are spastic or clumsy I suggest you get a strap for your iPhone. I suggest one colored to match your helmet. That would not only make you well coordinated and you would not look any more stupid.

 

[BlondeBuddhist]

As has previously been posted, Apple's description of the bumper mentions nothing about any protection:

"Made of durable rubber and molded plastic, the two-tone iPhone 4 Bumper fits snugly around the edges of your iPhone 4 and gives it a splash of color. It's a fun and unique way to personalize your iPhone 4."

"Dress up your iPhone 4 with an iPhone 4 Bumper. Choose one of six colors — white, black, blue, green, orange, or pink — and slip it around the edge of your iPhone 4. With metal buttons for volume and power, two-tone colors, and a combination of rubber and molded plastic, Bumpers add a touch of style to any iPhone 4."

I love facts. Even if they do cloud up a good "test"

 

[elpmas]

As has previously been posted, Apple's description of the bumper mentions nothing about any protection:

"Made of durable rubber and molded plastic, the two-tone iPhone 4 Bumper fits snugly around the edges of your iPhone 4 and gives it a splash of color. It's a fun and unique way to personalize your iPhone 4."

"Dress up your iPhone 4 with an iPhone 4 Bumper. Choose one of six colors — white, black, blue, green, orange, or pink — and slip it around the edge of your iPhone 4. With metal buttons for volume and power, two-tone colors, and a combination of rubber and molded plastic, Bumpers add a touch of style to any iPhone 4."

=) Apple+1. Good thing they covered their behinds!

 

[randallyndsay]

My Experience with dropping an iPhone 4...

I wasn't so lucky to drop my phone 3 times before it finally broke, and I wasn't even standing. It only took one time, about a foot from the ground.

I forgot my phone was in my lap and proceeded to step out of the car (a small, short one), and I heard a nice bang hit the concrete (about a foot, foot and a half away). When I looked down, I saw my new iPhone face down on the ground. I hesitantly picked up the phone (hoping and praying that I would be lucky enough to not have a shattered screen); it was COMPLETELY shattered.

I had some stupid iFrogz case on it that I got before you could find a bumper anywhere, or any decent case for that matter. I bought a bumper today while I was taking care of the issue, but I'll probably just return it tomorrow for something that covers a larger part of the phone. After all, to me, it seems that the phone suffers the most damage when it hits flat on the front or back, where the bumper isn't!

 

[Gryzor]

It does appear the iPhone 4 hit the concrete face down for the last fall, so how it falls likely affects the chances of the glass breaking.

No kidding? FFS...

Shock newsflash, glass breaks if you drop it onto a hard surface...

 

[insidmal]

=) Apple+1. Good thing they covered their behinds!

has anyone ever claimed it protected it? does anyone actually think it will protect it? it may protect the stainles steel stripe but that's not the part that is breaking..

seriously.. if people buy something they like and want it to last, they need to take precautions to take care of it and keep it in good shape, no matter what it is..

 

[bobob]

Isn't it odd how how newbies to the MacRumors forums seem to break their iPhone 4 screens, have serious antenna reception problems, and get yellow screens on their iPads and iMacs at a much higher rate than longtime members?

 

[MorphingDragon]

Isn't it odd how how newbies to the MacRumors forums seem to break their iPhone 4 screens, have serious antenna reception problems, and get yellow screens on their iPads and iMacs at a much higher rate than longtime members?

Just dont think about it.

 

[eye]

If you want your iPhone to last, throw an otter box on it. My first gen is in perfect condition three years later after many normal tumbles. Of course, I do take care not to beat up on electronics in general, so that helps.

 

[Max(IT)]

Isn't it odd how how newbies to the MacRumors forums seem to break their iPhone 4 screens, have serious antenna reception problems, and get yellow screens on their iPads and iMacs at a much higher rate than longtime members?

 

[scoobydoo99]

This doesn't surprise me. The bumpers only ever seemed to be a way to alleviate the signal loss problem.

insulation does not affect signal degradation. blocking the antenna with body parts does.