iPhone 7 Undergoes Extreme Durability Test in New Video [Updated]

[normaneo]

Hardware review YouTube channel JerryRigEverything has put the new iPhone 7 through an intensive durability test, concluding that Apple has designed a "solid phone" with good build quality, but with a couple of reservations.

The latest video shows how a black matte iPhone 7 stands up to scratching, applied heat, and bending. In the first test, the screen stands up to a utility knife with no problems. However, when a harder level 6 mineral pick is applied it incurs damage, suggesting that coins and keys won't scratch it, but care should be taken to protect it against other abrasive materials that can be found in pockets and purses.

The iPhone 7 screen also lasts almost 10 seconds on contact with an open flame, after which the pixels get warm and turn off before completely recovering within seconds. In conclusion, screen durability is described as being "on par with typical smartphone screen hardness".

On the back of the phone, the anodized aluminum casing on the matte black model holds up well against key scratches, leaving hardly a mark, but it can't stand up to the cut of a razor blade.

Elsewhere, the new Taptic Engine home button stands up to the assaults of a razor blade, but suffers a deep scratch with a mid-level hardness pick. JerryRigEverything claims that this proves it is regular glass and not sapphire, contradicting Apple's own specifications for the phone.

Similarly, the rear camera lens on the iPhone 7 is demonstrated to be scratch-resistant when a razor blade is used, but it scratches deeply with a level 6 hardness pick. According to the reviewer, sapphire would be expected to withstand up to level 9, so the lens isn't sapphire either, but Apple would disagree. Meanwhile, the buttons are confirmed as metal, while the antenna bands remain plastic.

From a purely durability perspective, JerryRigEverything calls the removal of the headphone jack on the new iPhone "an extremely bad move", owing to the fact that two accessory types - headphones and charging cables - must now use the same port, doubling the rate of wear and tear. Another reason to use wireless headphones instead, perhaps.

Lastly, the bend test confirms the iPhone 7's aluminum chassis isn't susceptible to bending like the iPhone 6, which received plenty of criticism for this. However, waterproofing adhesive between the screen and the frame does begin to tear when significant pressure is applied, suggesting that sitting on the phone is still inadvisable.

Article Link: iPhone 7 Undergoes Extreme Durability Test in New Video

 

[TechGeek76]

Hardware review YouTube channel JerryRigEverything has put the new iPhone 7 through an intensive durability test, concluding that Apple has designed a "solid phone" with good build quality, but with a couple of reservations.

The latest video shows how a black matte iPhone 7 stands up to scratching, applied heat, and bending. In the first test, the screen stands up to a utility knife with no problems. However, when a harder level 6 mineral pick is applied it incurs damage, suggesting that coins and keys won't scratch it, but care should be taken to protect it against other abrasive materials that can be found in pockets and purses.

The iPhone 7 screen also lasts almost 10 seconds on contact with an open flame, after which the pixels get warm and turn off before completely recovering within seconds. In conclusion, screen durability is described as being "on par with typical smartphone screen hardness".

On the back of the phone, the anodized aluminum casing on the matte black model holds up well against key scratches, leaving hardly a mark, but it can't stand up to the cut of a razor blade.

Elsewhere, the new Taptic Engine home button stands up to the assaults of a razor blade, but suffers a deep scratch with a mid-level hardness pick. JerryRigEverything claims that this proves it is regular glass and not sapphire, contradicting Apple's own specifications for the phone.

Similarly, the rear camera lens on the iPhone 7 is demonstrated to be scratch-resistant when a razor blade is used, but it scratches deeply with a level 6 hardness pick. According to the reviewer, sapphire would be expected to withstand up to level 9, so the lens isn't sapphire either, but Apple would disagree. Meanwhile, the buttons are confirmed as metal, while the antenna bands remain plastic.

From a purely durability perspective, JerryRigEverything calls the removal of the headphone jack on the new iPhone "an extremely bad move", owing to the fact that two accessory types - headphones and charging cables - must now use the same port, doubling the rate of wear and tear. Another reason to use wireless headphones instead, perhaps.

Lastly, the bend test confirms the iPhone 7's aluminum chassis isn't susceptible to bending like the iPhone 6, which received plenty of criticism for this. However, waterproofing adhesive between the screen and the frame does begin to tear when significant pressure is applied, suggesting that sitting on the phone is still inadvisable.

Article Link: iPhone 7 Undergoes Extreme Durability Test in New Video

Where in the specs does it show the home button as Sapphire? I see it mentioned for camera only. Miscommunication on his or your part?

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Appreciate the durability test, but not as fun as the Mi5.

a $300 smartphone vs a $650 smartphone.

 

[69Mustang]

I said it could be easily faked, didn't say he actually faked it.

Nothing in my quote claims you did say he actually faked it. I asked why would he. What would be the gain?

 

[MasterRyu2011]

I don't like these videos, I find them stressful to watch.

Yeah nothing good comes out of it, especially if it's about the very phone that you've just dropped your hard-earned money on. Better to just keep watching the cheery Apple promos.

 

[masteroflondon]

So someone else got something you didn't get... yet. Seriously, WTF is wrong with people.

Yeah nothing good comes out of it, especially if it's about the very phone that you've just dropped your hard-earned money on. Better to just keep watching the cheery Apple promos.

As long as it was notes and not coins, you should be ok.

 

[Jimrod]

You don't actually, seriously think that Apple have stated it's sapphire when it isn't? After what you yourself have said about the consequences? Because a knob with a youtube video says so? I would disregard this idea as utterly implausible until something a little more authoritative emerged. Which I doubt very, very much.

But who would that "more authoritative" source be? No-one else would be randomly running chemical analysis tests on the home button/camera lens for "us" to find out if it's truly sapphire. As it stands these random YouTubers are the only ones testing this kind of thing, even if not entirely scientifically. If its hardness is equal to glass then it's not sapphire - that's how it appears in this video so who does the actual test to see if Apple's telling the truth on this?

 

[Carlanga]

Bold: This is complete nonsense, reason, not one single person uses this port the same, some won't ever use the headphone while others will use them more than charging the phone, so it could be from zero extra wear on the port until more than double, even triple or quadruple.

lol. It's not nonsense. He is talking about the RATE of wear and tear from a durability test standpoint. Doesn't matter if the person uses it more or less. The same way stuff is tested to work xyz amount of times before breaking down.

 

[apolloa]

You don't actually, seriously think that Apple have stated it's sapphire when it isn't? After what you yourself have said about the consequences? Because a knob with a youtube video says so? I would disregard this idea as utterly implausible until something a little more authoritative emerged. Which I doubt very, very much.

I think for a company that's so rich, manages to patent an oblong square with round corners and attempts to sue others for it and then also sues for other using the colours black and white, that lying about the materials used really won't be surprising.

So yes, I can see them lying. If they hadn't done any of the above I've mentioned, or displayed a history of complete arrogance towards global court rulings or suing everyone then I would hold them in more respect.

 

[69Mustang]

As long as it was notes and not coins, you should be ok.

What the heck does your quote mean?

 

[masteroflondon]

But who would that "more authoritative" source be? No-one else would be randomly running chemical analysis tests on the home button/camera lens for "us" to find out if it's truly sapphire. As it stands these random YouTubers are the only ones testing this kind of thing, even if not entirely scientifically. If it's hardness is equal to glass then it's not sapphire - that's how it appears in this video so who does the actual test to see if Apple's telling the truth on this?

No one. We just actually don't bother. Because it is IMPLAUSIBLE they would lie in that manner. You don't test the new gold Rolex watch to make sure it's gold. You don't take your engine apart to make sure it's 1.8 litres. You take it on trust because in this world of reputation and regulation you take it on trust.

If the phone lenses get scratched, or the paint peels on the Rolex or the car doesn't perform as you feel it should, then you look into it. Until then you just get on with life and stop picking it apart.

 

[apolloa]

All Apple says is the camera had a Sapphire crystal lens and it makes no mention of a sapphire glass home button, so not sure why that's mentioned in the article?

 

[SuperHamster]

...However, when a harder level 6 mineral pick is applied it incurs damage...

OMG #pickgate

 

[MasterRyu2011]

As long as it was notes and not coins, you should be ok.

I see what you did there..

 

[apolloa]

No one. We just actually don't bother. Because it is IMPLAUSIBLE they would lie in that manner. You don't test the new gold Rolex watch to make sure it's gold. You don't take your engine apart to make sure it's 1.8 litres. You take it on trust because in this world of reputation and regulation you take it on trust.

If the phone lenses get scratched, or the paint peels on the Rolex or the car doesn't perform as you feel it should, then you look into it. Until then you just get on with life and stop picking it apart.

Jewellers will check a Rolex is real gold by looking for the stamp markings stating so! It's a ludicrous comparison to make.

 

[masteroflondon]

Jewellers will check a Rolex is real gold by looking for the stamp markings stating so! It's a ludicrous comparison to make.

Only when they have the occasion to, not when they're reviewing a new watch. Besides, who puts the hallmarks on? You'd think Rolex might lie but would hold off on the false hallmarking? And if the example is bad, the point is still made.

 

[newyorkone]

Click-bait and pointless. These type of videos capitalize on the fear of unrealistic non-issues...

 

[nfl46]

Lol! That was difficult to watch. Jeez.

 

[Dydegu]

I imagine this is what Jony's nightmares are like.

 

[masteroflondon]

Click-bait and pointless. These type of videos capitalize on the fear of unrealistic non-issues...

Much more eloquent than my post. Short, concise and utterly correct. Thank you.

 

[normaneo]

Posting another video on the iPhone 7 and Apple's removal of the headphone jack is a great move on your part from the standpoint of you getting great traffic for one of you videos, but to be honest, it's pointless. Early adopters pave the way.

Apple is killing their use of the 3.5 headphone jack. From a business standpoint it helps them maintain their role as the leader in the smartphone field. They are going wireless, and not just with audio. From the consumer's standpoint, early adopters will help Apple refine exactly how the industry will go wireless. 2 years from now we probably will not be plugging in at all, even to charge our devices . . . well, the early adopters won't be.

 

[Jsameds]

The guy uses the phone as a tool in his job. It's a simple piece of consumer electronics, not a baby seal. Besides, everyone who wants an iPhone 7 will be able to get one. They may not be able to get their instant gratification fix, but they will get a phone.

But to make it water resistant they did have to use a seal...

I'm sorry, I'll let myself out.

 

[NY Guitarist]

So as long as I don't burst into flames whilst shaving with an open blade razor and the phone in my back pocket, it should be ok?
Got it.

That's the take away I got too.

 

[whooleytoo]

LOL, when is sitting on your phone ever advisable?

Ever since they added the vibration mode...

 

[Stratus Fear]

So is there actually a "deep" scratch in the home button and camera cover glass, or is the scratch just in some coating Apple has on the glass? The scratches on the Apple Watch at the link below look "deep" but then the owner reveals once he removed the anti-reflective coating, the scratch was gone:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7021615?tstart=0