JerryRigEverything, a popular YouTube channel known for its famous segment of testing of gadgets, recently tested the durability of the new iPhone 15 Pro Max. To the shock of many, the back glass of the phone shattered when bent by hand.
Zack Nelson, who operates the channel, commented, “I’m going to be honest, I did not see that one coming. iPhones especially do not break, like ever.” His surprise was the same across social media, with one viewer commenting that the “break was shocking.”
Is Titanium to Blame?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a titanium frame, different from the previous model’s aluminium and stainless steel construction. Many speculate that this titanium frame might be a major reason behind the phone’s lack of flexibility. One theory suggests that the titanium, being far less flexible than other materials, made the phone snap more easily.
Mr Nelson shared his thoughts: “The snap was ‘abnormally quick’ and I was ‘kinda stunned’ by the results of the test.”
Interestingly, the smaller iPhone 15 Pro survived the same test without any damage. This raised more questions about the larger model’s durability.
Colour Changes with Titanium
Apart from the bending issue, there have been reports of the titanium band causing problems for users. Oils from fingers seem to change the metal’s colour through routine handling. Apple confirmed this issue, but mentioned that the discolouration isn’t permanent and can be wiped off with a damp cloth.
More from News
- Final Warning: Your Gmail Account Could Be Deleted On Dec. 1
- Why VoIP Digital Phone Provider bOnline Stands Out In The Teleco Crowd
- 10 UK Paytech Startups To Watch
- 10 Romanian Startups To Keep An Eye On in 2024
- Charac Secures £1m Investment From World-Class Medication Platform Medadvisor
- Top 10 Password Managers for Startups in 2024
- 6 Fitness Trackers and Apps to Keep You Active This Winter
- Startup Of The Week: LandFolk
Affordable Repairs but at What Cost?
There’s good news for those worried about repair costs. Apple introduced design changes intending to make the back glass more affordable to replace. Repairing the back glass of the iPhone 15 Pro Max would cost £163 and for the 15 Pro, it would be £139. In contrast, the iPhone 14 repair cost was much steeper at £450.
The news of the iPhone 15 Pro Max breaking so easily has made some buyers worry. One social media user expressed concern after buying the iPhone 15 Pro Max, saying, “This review makes me even more nervous.”
Mixed Results in Other Tests
In addition to the bend test, the iPhone 15 Pro Max underwent other trials. In a test involving a naked flame, the phone’s display impressively stayed intact. The device also held its own against scratching tools and a box cutter, revealing the titanium frame beneath only after significant scraping.
Still, the device’s inability to withstand a simple bend test remains a significant concern. Many viewers and potential buyers are reconsidering their choices. A common sentiment was captured by a commenter on X (formerly Twitter) who suggested, “It’s seeming like this may be a year to skip.”
Titanium Vs. Stainless Steel
iPhone moving from using stainless steel to titanium is among the major talking points this year.Titanium offers comparable strength and is lighter, but early tests show mixed results.
For instance, AppleTrack performed durability tests comparing the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro. The results showed both phones sustaining damage on drops, but the iPhone 15 Pro experienced more extensive damage, even losing its camera lens in extreme tests.
Zac from JerryRigEverything confirmed that the iPhone 15 Pro series indeed uses high-quality titanium for the outer frame, but its body remains aluminum.
The release of any new smartphone, durability tests often draw attention. This time, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max failing a basic bend test, many Apple fanatics are considering staying with the existing models.
