Will the iPhone Air Bend? This Extreme Test Reveals the Answer

[MacRumors]

With an ultra-thin design that measures just 5.6mm at its thinnest point, Apple's new iPhone Air tops the iPhone 6 as the thinnest iPhone ever released.

With a 6.9mm frame, the iPhone 6 was prone to bending, although the most egregious examples were often seen in YouTube videos that used excessive force.

The big question: Will the iPhone Air bend?

In a video that Apple provided to Tom's Guide, Apple subjected the iPhone Air to a machine that simulated "130 pounds of pressure" on the middle of the device. The publication said the video shows the device "springs back remarkably well and doesn't show any lasting curve from the experience." You can watch it for yourself in their report.

It appears the iPhone Air should be bend-proof in most if not all real-world scenarios, but we still have to wait for independent, third-party tests.

It does seem pretty safe to say that the iPhone Air will not bend in the same way the iPhone 6 did, and a big reason for that is the device has a titanium frame, whereas the iPhone 6 was made with aluminum. Apple said the iPhone Air "exceeds" its "stringent bend strength requirements," and touted it as the most durable iPhone ever.

The report also includes a few other durability test videos from Apple, including one that tests the Ceramic Shield 2 front cover on iPhone 17 models, which is promised to offer 3× better scratch resistance compared to the previous generation. Another video subjects the iPhone 17 Pro to simulated drop tests. Unsurprisingly, given these videos are from Apple, the results are favorable. Real-world tests will confirm things soon.

Article Link: Will the iPhone Air Bend? This Extreme Test Reveals the Answer

 

[MacTwick]

You think Apple would release a product that would bend with normal use after the iPhone 6 incident? Come on, of course it's been tested before release.

 

[dennis264]

Is Tom's Guide not a independent third party, who ran a test?
Derp, I good read.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Is Tom's Guide not a independent third party, who ran a test?
Derp, I good read.

I did quickly update the article to make it absolutely clear the video/drop test is from Apple, and merely shared with Tom's Guide:

"In a video that Apple provided to Tom's Guide, Apple subjected the iPhone Air to a machine that simulated '130 pounds of pressure' on the middle of the device. The publication said the video shows the device 'springs back remarkably well and doesn't show any lasting curve from the experience.'"

 

[MilesAhead]

But will it blend?

 

[Cameront9]

You think Apple would release a product that would bend with normal use after the iPhone 6 incident? Come on, of course it's been tested before release.

I mean I had no doubt they tested it but of course Apple has released products that bend since the iPhone 6. Numerous iPads for one.

 

[MayaUser]

You think Apple would release a product that would bend with normal use after the iPhone 6 incident? Come on, of course it's been tested before release.

Check on the ipads that were release years after the iphone 6 plus bendgate and come back here

 

[dannyyankou]

130 pounds of pressure doesn’t sound like a lot though? The average person weighs more than that. And I know when you’re sitting, not all of your weight is on the seat itself, but most of it is. I guess avoid sitting with it in your back pocket.

 

[Graphate]

You think Apple would release a product that would bend with normal use after the iPhone 6 incident? Come on, of course it's been tested before release.

Is Tom's Guide not a independent third party, who ran a test?
Derp, I good read.

Also, I think we should view the iPhone Air differently from the other iPhones, especially the 6. The reason I *think* that: there are other iPhones available to choose from that are not really different in spec from each other. Few people will buy the iPhone Air for durability.

 

[victorvictoria]

With obesity levels at all time highs in America, it remains to be seen what happens when 300 LB users put them in their back pockets and sit on them…

 

[wanha]

testing shows the iPhone Air has a 1000x stronger spine than the world's tech CEOs

 

[kemal]

Did they really say "pressure". Jeez.

 

[Runaway Train]

Bendgate II ?

 

[Pupi]

You think Apple would release a product that would bend with normal use after the iPhone 6 incident? Come on, of course it's been tested before release.

Yeah, not even the 6s did it and those phones looked almost identical. Apple corrected course immediately. People will just say anything.

 

[Ctrlos]

That’s about 60kg for countries measuring things in then 21st Century.

 

[_mdavenport]

Did they really say "pressure". Jeez.

Glad someone else noticed this. If anyone is curious, pounds are typically a unit of force, not pressure.

Saying “pounds of pressure” is like saying “miles of speed.” 🫠

The correct unit would be pounds per square inch (PSI), or Newtons per square meter (Pascals or Pa) in SI units. 🤓

 

[Pupi]

130 pounds of pressure doesn’t sound like a lot though? The average person weighs more than that. And I know when you’re sitting, not all of your weight is on the seat itself, but most of it is. I guess avoid sitting with it in your back pocket.

Half of your sitting weight is gonna be supported by your other cheek, and the weight on your phone is not gonna push at just the center of it. You'll be fine.

 

[HQuest]

It may or may not bend, but will it blend? That is the question.

*cue catchy tunes*

 

[dannyyankou]

Glad someone else noticed this. If anyone is curious, pounds are typically a unit of force, not pressure.

Saying “pounds of pressure” is like saying “miles of speed.” 🫠

The correct unit would be pounds per square inch (PSI), or Newtons per square meter (Pascals or Pa) in SI units. 🤓

But this is basically marking from Apple. Sometimes they dumb things down for people.

 

[clayj]

If you put it in your back pocket and sit on it...

... it will bend.

 

[ifxf]

It would be funny if the traditional iphone 17 with their aluminum frames have bend pictures posted.

 

[MTShipp]

With obesity levels at all time highs in America, it remains to be seen what happens when put them in their back pockets and sit on them…

Most fa**ies use Android. 😜🤣

J/K around

Ok, I went too far with a poor joke

 

[Moukee]

130 pounds of pressure doesn’t sound like a lot though? The average person weighs more than that. And I know when you’re sitting, not all of your weight is on the seat itself, but most of it is. I guess avoid sitting with it in your back pocket.

I'd imagine it's almost impossible to sit in a way that puts 130 pounds of pressure on such a small area even if you weigh twice as much. And it probably doesn't bend if the weight is distributed over a larger area.

 

[Will Co]

If you put it in your back pocket and sit on it...

... it will bend.

It very much depends on what you're sitting, not just who is doing the sitting and how much they weigh. Suppose you sit on a slatted seat which has an uneven surface. Your backside won't mind, but if your Air gets wedged between a couple of slats, you might just find that the "per square inch" of the equation becomes very significant, and even a lighter person will be able to generate the required bending force.

Don't sit on your phone. Any phone. Bottom line.....

 

[digimc]

Seems to be a moot point at this juncture, since so many reviewers are advising not to buy the new Air, because it doesn't have 12 speaker surround system built into it.