The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made, measuring just 5.6mm at its slimmest point.
That instantly brings back memories of the iPhone 6 and the infamous “bendgate.” Back in 2014, videos of bent iPhones went viral, and some users really did experience bending from something as simple as keeping their phone in a tight pocket.
Naturally, the question is back: will the iPhone Air suffer the same fate?
Apple’s Official Bend Test
To get ahead of the speculation, Apple shared a video with Tom’s Guide showing the iPhone Air under stress testing. The test applied 130 pounds of pressure directly to the center of the phone. According to Apple, the device flexed slightly under force but returned to its original shape without any permanent curve.
This is a significant improvement compared to the iPhone 6, which was made of aluminum. The iPhone Air uses titanium, the same material Apple introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro lineup, which makes it far more resistant to bending and general wear.
Titanium Makes the Difference
Titanium is not only lighter than aluminum but also much stronger. This means Apple can build a thinner phone without making it fragile. The company even claims the iPhone Air “exceeds its stringent bend strength requirements” and calls it the most durable iPhone yet.
Suggested: iPhone Air Isn’t Just Thin, It’s Apple’s First iPhone Designed to Be Worn
Of course, marketing talk is one thing, and daily life is another. Phones go through all sorts of stresses: pockets, backpacks, accidental drops, and even those times you sit down without realizing your phone is in your back pocket. Apple’s titanium frame should hold up well, but we’ll know for sure once independent durability tests hit YouTube.
What About Other Durability Tests?
Apple also highlighted some additional stress tests in its video series. The Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the iPhone 17 lineup, for example, promises three times better scratch resistance compared to last year. The company also showcased drop tests for the iPhone 17 Pro, and as expected, everything looked great.
Worth checking out: Why the iPhone 17 Makes More Sense Than the iPhone Air
The takeaway here is simple: Apple wants to remind users that it has learned from bendgate, and the iPhone Air is not going to be fragile despite being ridiculously thin.
Should You Worry About the iPhone Air Bending?
If you are planning to buy the iPhone Air, bending should not be high on your list of concerns. The titanium frame and Apple’s testing suggest it is built to survive real-world use. Still, no phone is completely indestructible. A thin design will always feel more delicate in hand compared to a chunkier device like the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
So, while the iPhone Air looks like it has solved the bend problem, we will have to wait for independent durability videos to confirm. For now, it seems safe to say that Apple has worked hard to ensure history does not repeat itself.
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