Requires 98 kg of concentrated force to crack the display
Durability improved, but still vulnerable to scratches
With the launch of the iPhone 17 on September 19, which features the biggest design change since the iPhone X, a variety of opinions have emerged regarding its design and durability. In particular, the "iPhone Air," which has become the thinnest iPhone ever at 5.6 mm, was found to require a force close to 100 kg to crack or bend the screen.
A force close to 216 pounds (approximately 98 kg) had to be concentrated on a single point for the front display to crack. YouTube channel 'JerryRigEverything'
On September 21, JerryRigEverything, an IT YouTuber with 9.61 million subscribers, released a durability test video of the iPhone Air. JerryRigEverything is known for conducting extreme durability tests whenever new smartphones such as Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices are released. This has dispelled concerns in some quarters that the iPhone Air could bend or break easily due to its extremely thin design. It is being evaluated that Apple has significantly improved its durability technology, especially considering the "Bendgate" incident about ten years ago, when the iPhone 6 Plus was prone to bending.
A force close to 216 pounds (approximately 98 kg) had to be concentrated on one point for the front display to crack. YouTube channel 'JerryRigEverything'
The results of JerryRigEverything's durability test proved that the iPhone Air is sturdier than expected. A force close to 216 pounds (approximately 98 kg) had to be concentrated on a single point for the front display to crack. This is far beyond the pressure typically exerted during everyday use, such as when carrying the device in a pants pocket. JerryRigEverything commented, "Because the pressure inside a pocket is distributed across multiple points, the iPhone Air should be safe to carry in your pocket."
The device continued to function even after the screen cracked
Most notably, the device continued to function normally even after the screen cracked during the durability test. When attempting to bend the device by hand, the iPhone Air flexed slightly but returned to its original shape. Considering that Apple experienced Bendgate with the launch of the iPhone 6 in 2014, the durability of the iPhone Air has advanced dramatically.
The device continued to function normally even after the screen cracked during the durability test. YouTube channel 'JerryRigEverything'
Bendgate erupted shortly after the release of the iPhone 6 Plus, when some users reported that the device bent easily. In particular, the area around the volume buttons was weak, leading to numerous cases where the device bent simply from being carried in a pocket, which fueled the controversy. Apple responded by revealing that only nine complaints had been received regarding bending issues and released its own test results. However, the test results drew further criticism, as Apple admitted that if more than 25 kg of force was applied, it could not guarantee the device would not bend. Critics argued that this was effectively an admission that the smartphone could bend under the weight or grip strength of an average adult. Given the significant controversy caused by Bendgate, it appears that durability was made a top priority during the development of the iPhone Air.
Durability improved, but still vulnerable to scratches
Reviews related to scratches are also continuing among SNS and IT-related YouTubers. YouTube channel 'JerryRigEverything'
However, despite the improved durability, there are also assessments that the device is vulnerable to scratches. According to Bloomberg on September 23, the iPhone 17 Pro Deep Blue model, which appeared at major Apple Stores worldwide on September 19 (local time), was already displayed with scratches. This was confirmed by Bloomberg's visits to Apple Stores in New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London. Bloomberg reported, "Scratches appeared within just a few hours of being on display."
In response, Bloomberg commented, "Even though Apple has completely redesigned the iPhone for the first time in years, outfitting it with an aluminum case and reinforcing the scratch-resistant finish on the back, it has proven to be vulnerable to scratches." The report added, "We reached out to Apple for comment but have not received a response."
Reviews related to scratches are also continuing among SNS and IT-related YouTubers. A photo of an iPhone 17 with scratches, posted by a Chinese consumer on Weibo, attracted more than 40 million views in just one day. JerryRigEverything also posted a video about iPhone 17 scratches on September 22, confirming that the scratch issue is real. Bloomberg further diagnosed, "Aluminum is vulnerable to scratches, and especially on dark-colored devices, scratches are inevitably more noticeable."
The product that caused the biggest issue in the scratch test is the Deep Blue model. This product is the darkest color among the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. YouTube channel 'JerryRigEverything'
In particular, the product that caused the biggest issue in the scratch test is the Deep Blue model. This product is the darkest color among the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. There have also been reviews claiming that scratches appeared after using an iPhone 17 case. It is unclear whether this is due to the case’s finish or an issue with the iPhone 17 itself. Some consumers who used a case made by IT YouTuber Itsup, who has 2.77 million subscribers, reported that the MagSafe magnet came off and scratches appeared.
Meanwhile, the design of the iPhone 17 is considered the biggest change since the iPhone X in 2017. Since the release of the iPhone X, Apple has maintained the "notch design" and kept the overall iPhone design largely unchanged for nearly a decade. The only significant change was the switch from the notch to the Dynamic Island in the iPhone 14 Pro model in 2022. Apple has not yet released an official statement regarding the current durability issues. However, there is speculation that the company may take follow-up measures if consumer complaints continue. In fact, when the Jet Black model of the iPhone 7 in 2016 faced mounting complaints about its glossy finish being easily scratched, Apple adopted a less glossy design and focused on improving material durability in subsequent models.
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