Shocking footage: Thinnest iPhone survived hammer attack and bending over a table edge

Remember Bendgate? The scandal where the iPhone 6 bent in a pocket like play-doh? Apple has clearly learned from this embarrassment. The new iPhone Air, which at just 5.6 millimeters thick is even thinner than the problematic model of that time, excels in durability tests in a way few expected.

Titanium frame works wonders

While the iPhone 6 was 6.9 mm thick and almost bent on its own, the new Air, at 5.6 mm, paradoxically appears much more durable. The secret? Apple this time opted for a titanium frame, which holds the structure together even under extreme stress.

Several people tried to bend the iPhone Air with their bare hands – without success. The phone didn’t even budge. Even more impressive was a laboratory test where a machine applied 130 pounds (almost 60 kilograms) of pressure directly to the center of the phone. The iPhone Air bent slightly but immediately returned to its original shape without any permanent deformation.

Viral TikTok: when bending isn’t enough, grab a hammer

But the internet went even further. A video appeared on TikTok that takes standard durability tests to a new level. The tester first tries to bend the iPhone Air over the edge of a table – in vain. Then comes an unexpected twist: a hammer attack.

@marcuscupello

What are your thoughts on its bendability? #iphone #iphone17 #iphoneair #repair

♬ original sound – Marcus Cupello

Despite the brutality of the test, the phone survived, although a suspicious crack can be heard at the very end of the video. Whether it was damage to the phone or just the sound of the impact is unclear – the video ends too soon. The HowToHacks channel on YouTube published a similar, albeit less aggressive, test with a positive outcome.

Ceramic Shield 2: a new level of display protection

The durability of the iPhone Air is not just about its titanium construction. Apple has implemented improved Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which is said to be 3× more scratch-resistant than the previous generation. The back then offers 4× better protection against cracks.

In scratch resistance tests with mineral picks, no visible marks remained on the display – all that was visible were just residues of the testing material, which could be easily wiped away. For a phone weighing just 165 grams, this is an impressive performance.

Waiting for the “real” test

Although the tests so far look promising, the tech world is holding its breath and waiting for one man – Zack Nelson from the JerryRigEverything channel. His brutal but methodical durability tests are considered the gold standard in the industry. Only his verdict will definitively confirm or refute the durability of the thinnest iPhone in history for many.

Compromises of ultra-thin design

Of course, extreme thinness comes at a price. The iPhone Air has only one speaker instead of a stereo system, which affects sound quality when watching videos. The battery is also not its strongest suit – with intensive use, it lasts for a shorter time than thicker models.

What do you think about the durability of the new iPhone Air?

Source: notebookcheck