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

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.

iphone air thinness
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.

iPhone Air Bend Test
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.

Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

MacTwick Avatar
18 weeks ago
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.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MilesAhead Avatar
18 weeks ago
But will it blend?
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ctrlos Avatar
18 weeks ago
That’s about 60kg for countries measuring things in then 21st Century. ;)
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wanha Avatar
18 weeks ago
testing shows the iPhone Air has a 1000x stronger spine than the world's tech CEOs
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
digimc Avatar
18 weeks ago
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.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
victorvictoria Avatar
18 weeks ago
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…

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Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)