iPhone Air Passes JerryRigEverything’s Durability Test: But Should You Be Worried About ‘Bendgate’?

Apple has unveiled the iPhone Air, its slimmest iPhone yet, launching alongside the iPhone 17 series. While the ultra-sleek design has sparked concerns about a possible revival of the infamous "Bendgate" controversy, early tests suggest the device holds up better than expected.

However, the wait is finally over as the iPhone Air was put through JerryRigEverything's meticulous durability test. And not to spoil things, but the results were impressive. Built from grade 5 titanium, the device combines strength with lightness, giving it a structural advantage over aluminium.

Despite concerns that its slim frame and button cutouts could compromise integrity, the iPhone Air proves to be remarkably resilient.

Screen Protection and Scratch Resistance

Apple equips the iPhone Air with Ceramic Shield 2, its most advanced protective glass to date. In controlled scratch tests, the display held up impressively well. Typical scratches that appear at Mohs hardness levels six and seven were nearly invisible. This places it well above the average for smartphone glass and confirms Apple's claims of improved durability.

That said, "glass is still glass." While it's tougher to scratch, drops or sharp impacts can still cause damage. Apple has also added an anti-reflective coating, though it lags behind Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra in glare reduction. The front-facing camera, housed beneath this protective layer, also benefits from Ceramic Shield

The Bend Test

The real highlight of durability testing comes from bend trials. Unlike the infamous "Bendgate" of the iPhone 6 era, the iPhone Air demonstrates no such weakness. Applying significant pressure from both the front and back results in slight flexing, but thanks to titanium's elasticity, the phone quickly snaps back into its original form.

To quantify this resilience, a controlled experiment with a crane scale was conducted. The iPhone Air withstood a staggering 216 pounds of direct pressure before the display finally cracked. Even at this point, the back glass remained intact, showing just how well the device distributes stress across its structure. In everyday use, even sitting on the phone in a pocket is unlikely to cause meaningful damage, since real-world weight is spread across a wider surface area.

Everyday Use and Practical Considerations

While structurally impressive, the iPhone Air is not invincible. The titanium frame is scratchable, the glass can still shatter in a drop, and its smaller battery charges slower than the Pro models. The mono speaker setup also means users sacrifice stereo audio. For these reasons, protective accessories like cases and screen protectors remain essential for long-term use.

The iPhone Air proves that slim doesn't have to mean fragile. Apple's use of titanium, Ceramic Shield 2, and clever engineering ensures that the thinnest iPhone yet is also one of the toughest. With the ability to withstand more than 200 pounds of pressure without catastrophic failure, the iPhone Air sets a new standard for slim yet durable smartphones.