It’s only been a few weeks since the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were released and Apple is already part of another launch fiasco reminiscent of the ‘antennagate’ controversy.
iPhone Bending
After a mere weekend of use, some iPhone 6 Plus users were stunned when their shiny new phones were bending under moderate stress. Some users reported bending after sitting for extended periods of time with their phones in their pockets. While it is obvious that a large thin sheet of aluminum will bend when put under heat and/or pressure, simply residing in someone’s pocket seems like a poor excuse to get bent out of shape. (pun absolutely intended)
The iPhone stress test group took to youtube and posted videos of their already bent devices. Some even going as far as to bend their device on camera (for science, of course). The original and most notable videos coming from Unbox Therapy. The videos show the iPhone 6 Plus will bend when subjected to the strength of an average adult male. Additionally, other phones are put to the test as well, proving that if you forcibly attempt to bend any smartphone, more likely than not, it will bend.
So why is the iPhone 6 Plus at the center of the ‘bendgate’ scandal when all devices bend under stress? Probably because the media enjoys a scandalous story. More likely than not, the few phones that have experienced bending, are simply defective. When producing millions upon millions of devices, some poor quality units are bound to escape into the wild. However, it is important to keep in mind that every year these devices are getting thinner, and thinner and issues related to structural integrity are bound to arise.
Apple Responds
After about a week of ‘bendgate’ Apple posted an official statement essentially saying the phones are made from very strong aluminum which is tested rigorously. Testing includes a specific ‘sit torsion’ test, the very culprit of most bending claims. Apple PR said, “The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus meet or exceed all of our high quality standards to endure everyday use, real life use.” I believe the last bit of that quote was to drive home the fact that physically attempting to bend your device is not considered “real life use.”
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Repair
Unfortunately, Shatter Buggy is not able to repair a bent iPhone 6 Plus… yet… We have received a number of inquiries about repairing shattered 6 series iPhones, and without a doubt, we will begin to service those devices soon.
Interested in a more in-depth analysis of iPhone bending? Consumer Reports has a solid article about the issue –
Consumer Reports Tests iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Bending
-Daniel
-Shatter Buggy, Denver