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iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Top Last Year’s Phones in Bend and Drop Tests

whitby said:
Useful comparative data and proves you still need a case and screen protection to minimize damage in a fall etc. Even the Air which, by all accounts, is quite resilient for such a design. Shame, as the phone begs to be used without a case, but a case it must have, I think. To be expected as always.
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idk (unless you plan on getting a tank looking case) i got the apple clear and its still almost too thin to be used comfortably.
 
Hoping that the front glass is truly scratch resistant. Seems like I always find small scrapes each year.
 
It just seems crazy that in this day and age they cant make screens that survive a 6 foot facedown fall
 
The article got one thing wrong, it’s not Ceramic Shield 2 at the back. Just at the front. The backs got an upgrade from glass to 1st gen Ceramic Shield, not V2.
 
Darth Tulhu said:
In my opinion, using an EXPENSIVE device that 1: is meant to be handheld and 2: is made of glass, without some sort of drop protection, is insane.

Unless the cost of them is disposable to you, of course.
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I disagree. Like I said in a prior post, I’ve had a continuous ownership of iPhones since the iPhone 3G and have a single cracked screen in all that time. I’ve gone without a case, including with the jet black iPhone 7 and came out of that with a pristine phone needing a magnifying glass to see any micro scratches on its jet black exterior.

If I had bought AppleCare all the way through the existence of the program, I’d be out a lot of money. I still haven’t fixed the cracked screen on my iPhone 15 Pro Max and may never do so, so technically, I haven’t paid a dime in repairs in all that time. Remember, insurance is priced so that even when people break their devices, they still make a profit overall from those in the insurance pool, so you’re actually only buying peace of mind, not actually protection. You’re losing money over your total phone ownership over the years if you buy the insurance.

As for a case, I got an iPhone Air. Putting a case on that should be a crime. If I did that, I’d be better off buying a bulky 17 Pro. That would be like buying a jet black iPhone 7 and covering it up. What’s the point of buying the phone?
 
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The durability seems to be good for both with the exception of scratching. I prefer silver anyway so won’t be an issue for me.

I currently have both devices. This is the hardest choice I’ve had to make with an Apple device. I love the Pro camera system but hate the heft of it. But the Air, it is so light feels so nice. Battery testing starts tomorrow since I got it today. It is downloading and optimizing so I’m not judging today’s battery performance. It took the pro a full day to stop burning my leg from the heat. Ultimately, I’m returning one of these.

I’m leaning towards the pro. Even though I’ll have to sacrifice the cameras. Something I never thought I would say.
 
I tried going caseless but they’re still just too slippery. Kept sliding out of my pocket and about out of my hands. Sure it would survive several of these drops but being this slippery it would happen a lot more during the year than I think the phone could survive. It’s not worth the mild anxiety every time I pull it out over concrete or go to carefully put it down on a rough surface.
 
yossi said:
It just seems crazy that in this day and age they cant make screens that survive a 6 foot facedown fall
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I used to have one of these - could lob it across the room and not a mark on it.

1758684744982.png
 
Happy with the better durability. Surprised to see Air holding up well in these tests. However not so happy with the scratches forming on the new 17 Pro. Will definitely be using a clear case when my Orange 17 Pro Max arrives.
 
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Yourbigpalal83 said:
Heres my advice that has served me well for nearly 20 years. Ive owned most versions of the Iphone and every time i sell or trade on in, they were sold in mint condition because I ALWAYS PUT A CASE AND SCREEN PROTECTOR ON THEM THE MOMENT THEY LEAVE THE BOX!

I dont care if they are made out of Adamantium and Vibranium (Wolverines Skeleton and Captain Americas Shield) and could survive a direct nuclear blast, they are still getting a screen protector and a decent case on them.

Why? Cause i have severe OCD and i refuse to have a scratch or crack or what ever nag the hell out of me on my 500 dollar device i plan on trading in towards the next one in a year or so.

Protect your investment. These phones arent cheep and i dont care what apple says, they still are subject to the laws of physics.

So do yourself a favor, you just spent nearly a grad if not more on a shiney new iphone, spend a few bucks more on a case and screen protector of decent quality and just take care of the phone and it should be fine.
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I’ve never understood this mindset. Why do you want to ruin the look and feel of your phone by covering it up to make sure the next person gets the full experience? Meanwhile you’re stuck using an ugly, bulky version of the phone with case and screen protector.

I’d rather enjoy the phone as it was meant to be used - caseless.

Enjoy the experience and sleekness of the phone’s design.
 
tobybrut said:
I disagree. Like I said in a prior post, I’ve had a continuous ownership of iPhones since the iPhone 3G and have a single cracked screen in all that time. I’ve gone without a case, including with the jet black iPhone 7 and came out of that with a pristine phone needing a magnifying glass to see any micro scratches on its jet black exterior.

If I had bought AppleCare all the way through the existence of the program, I’d be out a lot of money. I still haven’t fixed the cracked screen on my iPhone 15 Pro Max and may never do so, so technically, I haven’t paid a dime in repairs in all that time. Remember, insurance is priced so that even when people break their devices, they still make a profit overall from those in the insurance pool, so you’re actually only buying peace of mind, not actually protection. You’re losing money over your total phone ownership over the years if you buy the insurance.

As for a case, I got an iPhone Air. Putting a case on that should be a crime. If I did that, I’d be better off buying a bulky 17 Pro. That would be like buying a jet black iPhone 7 and covering it up. What’s the point of buying the phone?
Click to expand...

I was referring to a case, not drop insurance.

I rarely drop my phone, but I do drop it. My wife drops hers ALL THE TIME (and her iPad, which due to trying to go naked now has a crack).

But hey, to each their own. I know plenty of people that go naked and are happy. I can't do it, in part because the phone is so. much. slipperier.
 
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