Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air are strong enough to handle stress from bending, but AllState’s testing found that the screens are still susceptible to damage despite the use of Ceramic Shield 2.
In part driven by the thin design of the iPhone Air, Apple has been keen to point out that its smartphones are stronger and more durable than ever. While some YouTubers try to be scientific about things while others aim for sensationalized content in destruction tests, there are also organizations trying to find an accurate result.
In testing by insurance firm Allstate, the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro both live up to the hype, at least when considering how much the new models bend. However, the screens are another matter.
The first test the two devices faced was for bending, with a robot used to apply pressure on the rear of each smartphone, across the middle. Both models survived the test, with the iPhone 17 Pro still functional but bending at 200 pounds of pressure, with the iPhone Air doing the same at 190 pounds.
This is on par with the results one YouTuber found, in that the iPhone Air bent and cracked the screen at 216 pounds of strain.
In either case, the models are considered to be well above industry standards for durability, and should be able to survive most stresses users would apply through normal usel
Down to Earth
The second set of tests wasn’t as favorable to Apple. Using another robot, the models were dropped flat onto a sidewalk surface from a distance of 6 feet, landing as flatly as possible.
When dropped on the front, both models were still functional, but the Ceramic Shield 2 front glass shattered. Since the glass was too sharp to let the iPhones be used with bare hands, they would have to be serviced to remove and replace the glass entirely.
For the rear glass, the iPhone 17 Pro managed to survive one back-down drop with cosmetic damage and minor scuffing to the frame edges and camera housing. The iPhone Air developed a crack after one drop, but was also deemed otherwise functional.
Allstate considers the result a big improvement for Apple, with the use of Ceramic Shield on the rear cited as being the plausible reason for increased durability. However, it still recommends that a case, screen protector, and protection plan should be bought for the expensive smartphones.
AllState has repeatedly performed durability tests on earlier iPhone models, with the undertone that you really should get insurance for your hardware. It also acquired repair outfit iCracked in 2019 to help repair iPhones and iPads instead of requiring replacements.
For its part, Apple is already performing extensive durability testing as part of its product design process. This has included creating worst-case scenarios for liquid and drop testing, and even salt exposure and light intensity testing.
