The iPhone 15 Pro has generated mixed reviews due to its durability, with some applauding its improved repairability but others criticizing its susceptibility to damage.
Renowned YouTuber JerryRigEverything conducted a durability test that shed light on the phone’s fragile back glass, raising concerns.
In JerryRigEverything’s video, it became evident that the iPhone 15 Pro’s back glass panel is more prone to cracking, as seen in numerous durability tests and user experiences. Even a pocket-height drop test resulted in damage.
Scratch tests revealed that the titanium frame is susceptible to scratches from a knife’s metal tip, although the matte back remained relatively scratch-resistant.
The most surprising revelation came during a bend test. Typically, modern smartphones are resilient to bending, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max surprisingly cracked with minimal effort. Zack, the YouTuber performing the test, expressed his astonishment, stating, “iPhones especially do not break, like ever.” The internal components, including the screen and frame, remained unharmed, with the rear glass being the sole casualty.
JerryRigEverything suggested that this unexpected fragility may be attributed to titanium’s higher tensile strength compared to aluminum, causing the glass back to be less resilient under pressure and flex.
On a positive note, Apple has taken measures to make replacing the iPhone 15 Pro’s back glass more cost-effective this year. Despite its durability issues, the device still demonstrates internal strength and functionality.
It is pertinent to mention here that iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max’s hands-on experience: New materials, a faster processor, and better cameras that shoot video for the Apple Vision Pro.
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max made their debut at Apple’s annual fall event on Tuesday. From the moment I picked them up in a hands-on area inside the Steve Jobs Theater, I could tell there were some significant refinements compared with previous Pro models. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are made with titanium instead of the stainless steel found on last year’s iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max and, as a result, are noticeably lighter.
In recent years, Apple used its Pro phones to push the envelope with tech advances, while keeping the standard models with the previous year’s tech, likely to reduce costs and incentivize upgrading to the pricier premium models. That’s proved true with the standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, which get last year’s 14 Pro perks. The iPhone 15 and Pro Max carry on this tradition, and since rumors of an iPhone 15 Ultra were unfounded, these are Apple’s most advanced phones yet.
