iPhone SE Found Less Durable Than 6 Series in Bend, Drop, and Water Tests

[jmgregory1]

The thing about testing the bend-resistance of the SE, is that the small form makes is far less likely to be effected by bending, certainly compared to either of the Plus models. Could it happen, sure, but it's not really a problem that people have been complaining about on the 5 or 5s (which are still being used in huge numbers).

 

[Rogifan]

That's what I would expect. So the interesting thing is why is this even a news story when the whole context isn't presented.

Because it generates page views.

 

[BigZ243]

The title is a bit misleading as the iPhone SE is far stronger and sustained much more weight than the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. It was only weaker than the 6S and 6s Plus, which Apple strengthened with different aluminum.

 

[nt5672]

As far as I am concern these tests are worthless. Chances of any of those situations happening to that extreme are unlikely. Is like broccoli is carcinogenic, yeah if you eat 7,000 Lbs. a day.

True enough, but the SE is really a sign of Apple's financial CEO deciding that its about money, not innovation. You want to know the new Apple then ask "why no new case?" Why did they not take the time to make the case stronger, more waterproof, and without the slot? All of which are technology they learned with newer phones. The answer is, 4 inch phone users were not worth it.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Been using my 6 Plus for about a year now.

I keep it in my front and sometimes back pocket. I've sat on it. I'm an ORCA fat kinda guy.

Absolutely NO bending whatsoever.

Was this really a problem?

 

[gumbyjunior1]

I never really had a issue with my 5S 16GB bending at all. I have the phone in my pocket the whole time and I would have to give it's shape the credit.
I would say that the bend test is not really practical for the phone since you need to account for how a phone gets bent in the pocket in the first place. Back pocket, front pocket, sitting down on something, lifting something.

I would still consider getting the SE regardless.

 

[ricktat]

The SE doesn't use the X01 armor.

Still stuck at T45.

 

[matt3526]

dammit, and I was hoping to use this in an underwater hydraulic press!

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Yes but is it lava-proof?

 

[Benjamin Frost]

The long and the short of it is that the iPhone 6, 6+, 6s and 6s+ are all much easier to drop than the iPhone SE due to the thinness and size.

That fact renders these tests moot. If you want an iPhone that is less likely to get damaged, get the SE.

 

[Gudi]

That's because people didn't make all of these videos over-exaggerating these flaws for that YouTube money.

 

[mountain]

Not surprised because it's the cheapest phone in the line up.

 

[erinsarah]

Ironic given that this would be the phone all of us moms and dads would likely be buying our teenagers over the iPhone 6. Ever seen the brutality the average iphone undergoes in the hands of a teenager? Not a pretty sight.

 

[applesith]

Oh for the love of jesus, who the frack is doing this crap to their phone?

 

[MH01]

The story here is if its identical to the 5S.

Come on MR, its a recycled 5S, comparing it to the new 6S is clickbait headline. Its should be equal to the 5S, only if its worse than the 5S we have a story here, If its better than the 5S, improvement.!

 

[ike1707]

At that price point, is anyone really surprised or upset by this?

Idea! Get a case.

 

[mattopotamus]

True enough, but the SE is really a sign of Apple's financial CEO deciding that its about money, not innovation. You want to know the new Apple then ask "why no new case?" Why did they not take the time to make the case stronger, more waterproof, and without the slot? All of which are technology they learned with newer phones. The answer is, 4 inch phone users were not worth it.

Tell that to the millions of people who bought the SE this weekend. Personally, I am happy they did not change the design b.c I think the 5/5s is the best designed iPhone to date.

 

[newyorksole]

Yeah uuhh is this test really necessary?

 

[apolloa]

That drop test robot seems to be rather overly vicious! It throws the device down, rather then letting gravity do that. I think other drop tests on YouTube by people just, dropping the phone, are far more accurate.
The SE will be more durable than the 6 though as it's smaller so won't bend in pockets as much. And I have no doubt the 6S is more durable because of it's material. But I bet you'll drop the SE less than the 6 again due to it's smaller size.

 

[albusseverus]

More penny pinching from Apple. (It's the 5c all over again, seriously.)

All things being fair, the entry level iPhone in September should have been a 6, with 6s and 7 as the other options.
Everyone laughed when Apple went for the plastic entry level phone instead of the metal 5. But 2 years later, nothing but praise for 'another 5' with relatively similar specs.

The 6 is barely bigger than the 5, in the hand, with the 'added thinness', and in 2016, the 5 body is so outdated it's pure penny pinching to foist that on the poorest of iPhone aspirationals. I see a lot of normals still carrying a 5, though. They ain't broke, so who needs to replace them? I spoke with my cousin and the faster speeds or better camera of the SE held no attraction. His 5 is working fine for him.

All that said, the 5c was a cooler phone. Plenty of 5 owners wanted to trade 'up' to it because the colours were cool and the plastic case was more practical. If it HAD to go that road, Apple should have at least gone the 5c case with updated specs.

Sure the echo chamber would have laughed at the plastic case, but in practice it would have been a better deal for customers, even corporate buyers (the majority of entry level phone buyers, I'm sure), who could have saved buying a case.

 

[mattopotamus]

More penny pinching from Apple. (It's the 5c all over again, seriously.)

All things being fair, the entry level iPhone in September should have been a 6, with 6s and 7 as the other options.
Everyone laughed when Apple went for the plastic entry level phone instead of the metal 5. But 2 years later, nothing but praise for 'another 5' with relatively similar specs.

The 6 is barely bigger than the 5, in the hand, with the 'added thinness', and in 2016, the 5 body is so outdated it's pure penny pinching to foist that on the poorest of iPhone aspirationals. I see a lot of normals still carrying a 5, though. They ain't broke, so who needs to replace them? I spoke with my cousin and the faster speeds or better camera of the SE held no attraction. His 5 is working fine for him.

All that said, the 5c was a cooler phone. Plenty of 5 owners wanted to trade 'up' to it because the colours were cool and the plastic case was more practical. If it HAD to go that road, Apple should have at least gone the 5c case with updated specs.

Sure the echo chamber would have laughed at the plastic case, but in practice it would have been a better deal for customers, even corporate buyers (the majority of entry level phone buyers, I'm sure), who could have saved buying a case.

similar specs to the 5? If it basically a 6S minus a few features. Same Processor, RAM, camera. It benchmarks better than any iPhone on the market.....even the 6S plus.

 

[nt5672]

Tell that to the millions of people who bought the SE this weekend. Personally, I am happy they did not change the design b.c I think the 5/5s is the best designed iPhone to date.

I agree that the 5s is the best and I have a 5s that I use daily. I just have to ask why the SE is not more waterproof, why it still has a SIM slot, or why they did not innovate at all in the case structural design while keeping the outside the same.

 

[ike1707]

Tell that to the millions of people who bought the SE this weekend. Personally, I am happy they did not change the design b.c I think the 5/5s is the best designed iPhone to date.

Agreed. I like my 6S, but I think aesthetically the 5 series is the sharpest product they've made. This new release makes me wish I'd waited just a few months longer.

 

[DoctorKrabs]

"6 Series"

Then the tests are against the 6S series devices. Care to clarify that considering "6 series" can mean regular 6 devices, which are far different in materials from the 6S devices?

 

[luxetlibertas]

I do find the tests for water resistance and damage after a fall useful. Seems that Apple did not make significant improvements there, understandable with that price drop.
But the thing is, the bigger phones are dropped more easily. Still, I will pamper my SE with a TPU case.