The rumored “iPhone Air,” expected to launch alongside the iPhone 17 this fall, is generating significant buzz, particularly around its remarkably thin profile. Leaks suggest a thickness of just 5.5mm, potentially making it Apple’s slimmest phone yet. This raises a crucial question: how durable will this ultra-thin device be? One particular test comes to mind: the infamous bend test conducted by Zack Nelson of the popular YouTube channel JerryRigEverything.
Nelson’s rigorous durability tests, which include scratching, burning, and ultimately bending, have become a rite of passage for new smartphones. Over the years, several phones have succumbed to his bare-handed bending, some even snapping in two. The OnePlus 10 Pro, for instance, met a particularly dramatic end. Even the iPhone 15 Pro Max wasn’t immune, with its glass back shattering under pressure in 2023, a surprising outcome considering iPhones’ generally robust build.
While most users won’t subject their phones to such extreme force, the bend test highlights potential structural weaknesses. For Apple, the “bendgate” controversy surrounding the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2014 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of durability. The larger size and thinner aluminum frame of those models, combined with weak points near the volume buttons and antenna lines, made them susceptible to bending.
Given the iPhone Air’s anticipated thinness, Apple will undoubtedly be focused on ensuring its structural integrity. Exactly how they’ve achieved this remains to be seen until the official launch. However, it’s hard not to imagine the iPhone Air facing a challenging time in Nelson’s bend test. Will it crack, crunch, or even shatter? Or will Apple surprise us with a design that defies expectations?
The anticipation is palpable. Only time, and Zack Nelson’s hands, will tell.
