Science & Tech

iPhone X is the “Most Breakable” iPhone Ever According to These Drop Tests

by Matthew Hart
Nov 8 2017 • 9:30 AM

Apple’s new iPhone X is finally rolling out to the masses, but as people are getting their hands on the tech giant’s new flagship phone, the question of what happens when it slips out of said hands is beginning to cause some concern. Multiple sources have already noted that the phone breaks especially easily, including CNET, which said that “dropping it without a case is out of the question.” And now SquareTrade, a company that insures mobile devices and other consumer electronics, says that the iPhone X is “the most breakable” iPhone ever.

Youtube Video play button
SquareTrade submits the iPhone X, which starts at a gulp-inducing $1,000, to several tests in the clip above, challenging Apple’s claim that the newest model has “the most durable glass ever in a smartphone.” And, unfortunately, despite the phone being made with “a 50 percent deeper strengthening layer using [Apple’s] dual ion-exchange process,” and boasting an “internal laser welded, steel and copper structure,” the iPhone X fell quite short, even when it didn’t fall from very high at all.

In every one of its tests, including both the drop tests and the tumble test, the iPhone X was damaged to the point of needing repairs. Either the front or back glass, or both, were also cracked after almost every test. And while it could be argued that SquareTrade dropping the phone from six feet up is an unrealistic height, keep in mind that CNET’s tests were done from only three feet above the ground, about pocket height, and had the same results.

It seems one of the biggest problems with breakage is due to the iPhone X (as well as the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus) having both a glass front and glass back, the latter being necessary in order to allow for wireless charging of the phone, which is supposed to happen with Apple’s Airpower charging pad set to be released some time in 2018.

Regardless of whether or not Apple’s or SquareTrade’s superlative claims are true, the solution here is obvious: Neuralink, so we can stick the phones in our brains. No, just kidding. The answer is to get a phone case for your iPhone. The repairs are really expensive—$279 to replace the front glass and $550 to replace the back!—and even Apple suggests “using one of the many beautiful cases available” in its stores to protect your $1,000 investment.

What do you think about the iPhone X’s fragility? Have you had any butter finger situations already occur with your own new iPhone? Let us know in the comments below!

Images: SquareTrade, Inc.

More in cool new tech!

[brightcove video_id=”5637415705001″ brightcove_account_id=”3653334524001″ brightcove_player_id=”rJs2ZD8x”]