iPhone Glass- Very Poor Durability

[Sean4123]

I've been reading countless post on this forum; from people who bash the iPhone 4 glass because it shatters when they drop it 5 feet onto concrete.

Obviously it's going to break.

Now I am anything but a iPhone 4 hater. In fact, I made a thread a day after I received my phone saying how perfect it was. This phone is great and I love it.

However, I've had my first experience testing this "durable" glass.

I have only dropped my iPhone ONCE. Yes, ONCE. I was sitting on my bed when i got butter fingers and it slipped to the floor.

Here's the thing though, my bed is about 3 feet from the ground; when it fell my legs caught it making this drop about 1 1/2 feet. And it fell onto padded carpet.

As a result, I have a small crack.

Yes this isn't really a big deal compared to all the shattered iPhones out there, but I thought it was a little ridiculous how this can happen from less then a 2 foot drop onto a soft surface.

Anyways, that's my rant.

*waits for "cool story bro"*

You should have bought a case. Really, anyone that doesn't protect a phone made out of glass is not very smart IMO. That is why I don't understand all of the griping about having to buy a bumper or case. You'd be crazy not to buy a case just for protection alone.

 

[Hellishness]

You should have bought a case. Really, anyone that doesn't protect a phone made out of glass is not very smart IMO. That is why I don't understand all of the griping about having to buy a bumper or case. You'd be crazy not to buy a case just for protection alone.

I'll probably never buy a case. I hate the feel, and half of the $600 you pay for the iPhone 4 probably goes to the design of sleek glass and stainless steel, that's like 9.something mm thick. Am I stupid (no, I'm not offended at all)? I could argue that it's stupid to buy such a beautiful device and cover it up with some cheap piece of plastic. I'm still undecided on the bumper, though.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Yes. It is the same as cars that manufactured with safety in mind would be totaled in a severe accident to protect the passengers inside. The structure is designed to absorb most of the impact.

I don't want to sound anal here but.... cars are designed like crap for crash test ratings which makes no sense because any legit race organization requires production cars to be retro-fitted with roll cages and such to improve safety. So comparing a Ferrari (which isn't even a fast brand btw) with an iPhone isn't even close to being a fair comparison.

BTW here is a pic of my iP4 (taken with a 3GS). So to the poster above me, go buy a bumper.

 

[Stiss]

This is a legit "cool story bro" not a sarcastic "cool story bro."

I would assume that a fall from any distance onto CARPET would not break the glass. I've dropped my iPhone 4 a few times onto carpet already with no problems.

In fact, earlier this year I dropped my 3GS, face down from 5 feet onto the concrete sidewalk in New York and it was perfectly fine. Guess I'm just lucky

EDIT: With no case!

Dropped my 3GS twice, I think that phone was cursed because after 18 months of 3G ownership I had never dropped it.

Drop 1 - 3 foot onto a footpath in the garden. Landed on it's corner, dented the chrome bezel and white plastic had a deepish scratch. Still fully operational.

Drop 2 - 3-4 foot onto a car park at work. Screen shattered instantly with a POP noise.

Good job I had insurance I had a brand new retail 3GS the next day delivered to my door.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I don't want to sound anal here but.... cars are designed like crap for crash test ratings which makes no sense because any legit race organization requires production cars to be retro-fitted with roll cages and such to improve safety. So comparing a Ferrari (which isn't even a fast brand btw) with an iPhone isn't even close to being a fair comparison.

BTW here is a pic of my iP4 (taken with a 3GS). So to the poster above me, go buy a bumper.

I hope that was an effect of a drop and not something that just happened from "regular" usage.