Video demonstrates reported iPhone 6 Plus bending issues
A video posted to YouTube on Tuesday confirms Apple's iPhone 6 Plus can be bent using a moderate amount of force, an issue some owners are seeing after sitting down with the device in their front pants pocket.
As demonstrated by a video posted to YouTube channel Unbox Therapy, vlogger Lewis Hilsenteger was able to bend the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus with his bare hands, suggesting the large-faced aluminum chassis has less structural stability than past iPhone models.
The video, embedded below, shows the iPhone 6 Plus being stressed out from a central point on the rear of the case, while at the same time being pulled in from the edges. Despite a large slab of "Ion X" glass and internal design, the metal casing buckled near the lower edge of a cutout made to house the unit's volume buttons.
For many, the result is to be expected considering the iPhone's thin design and materials used, both of which push the limits of engineering. Those not familiar with stress thresholds, material properties and design, however, may confuse the situation with poor quality control, as seen by numerous anecdotal reports earlier on Tuesday.
Perhaps most troubling is the fact that some iPhone 6 Plus owners are saying their handset bent when placed in a front pocket, a location used by many to protect their smartphone from being sat upon.
Hilsenteger also notes that his iPhone 6 Plus was showed signs of slight bending with normal use prior to shooting the video, though it is not clear if the pre-bend weakened the unit's structural integrity and contributed to the apparent ease with which the case was warped.
As demonstrated by a video posted to YouTube channel Unbox Therapy, vlogger Lewis Hilsenteger was able to bend the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus with his bare hands, suggesting the large-faced aluminum chassis has less structural stability than past iPhone models.
The video, embedded below, shows the iPhone 6 Plus being stressed out from a central point on the rear of the case, while at the same time being pulled in from the edges. Despite a large slab of "Ion X" glass and internal design, the metal casing buckled near the lower edge of a cutout made to house the unit's volume buttons.
For many, the result is to be expected considering the iPhone's thin design and materials used, both of which push the limits of engineering. Those not familiar with stress thresholds, material properties and design, however, may confuse the situation with poor quality control, as seen by numerous anecdotal reports earlier on Tuesday.
Perhaps most troubling is the fact that some iPhone 6 Plus owners are saying their handset bent when placed in a front pocket, a location used by many to protect their smartphone from being sat upon.
Hilsenteger also notes that his iPhone 6 Plus was showed signs of slight bending with normal use prior to shooting the video, though it is not clear if the pre-bend weakened the unit's structural integrity and contributed to the apparent ease with which the case was warped.
News flash: Don't put your iPhone (or any phone) in your back pocket and sit on it. It may break. -30-
— Tip AppleInsider (@TipAppleInsider)
Comments
There is a magic trick of bending metal that a magician named Uri Geller had perfected. I bet the trick would work with some of the aluminum phones.
As a new iPhone 6 Plus owner...I have to admit this is pretty troubling. I imagine keeping your phone in a case SHOULD help with this situation, but for the price of the phone this is pretty unacceptable. Hopefully Apple addresses this concern, soon, as I intend to carry my phone in my front pocket (pretty obviously).
This may be cause for Apple to supply all plus owners with a free protective case to withstand the bend...
If they don't answer to this at all, I would be really shocked. Especially considering the overwhelming number of people experiencing the issue. I've been lucky enough not to yet, but I'm definitely not taking any risks.
lol. 6+ is not a pocket phone.
#bendygate
Wonderful!
No way am I getting a Plus! Why did Apple make it?
My next iPhone is now a 6 or a 5s.
I'm with the sorry band of Marvin and T.S. who say that the 5.5" shouldn’t exist.
To all the poor suckers who have ordered or bought a Plus: thank your lucky stars for warranties.
This should be interesting to watch Play out.
Bendgate
[opps... not reading... pipped by bdkennedy1]
Wonderful!
No way am I getting a Plus! Why did Apple make it?
My next iPhone is now a 6 or a 5s.
I'm with the sorry band of Marvin and T.S. who say that the 5.5" shouldn’t exist.
To all the poor suckers who have ordered or bought a Plus: thank your lucky stars for warranties.
Making the 5.5 is so unApple... to me.
http://www.cultofmac.com/248603/iphone-5ses-are-bending-in-peoples-pockets/
The temperature in the pocket after long periods of time makes it easier to bend the metal, especially if the device has been running hot itself. This will be worse with the 6+ due to the size as there's more leverage at the weak points. Initial buyers are returning the 6+ for iPhone 6 models because they are finding them to be too big anyway:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/22/6827863/apple-iphone-6-plus
and stats here show the 6 outselling the 6+ between 5:1-10:1:
https://mixpanel.com/trends/#report/iphone_6
It probably won't be long before they just discontinue the phablet model.
The 'armored' case makers are going to love this.
I wonder where Apple's responsibility ends and common sense/obviousness begins.
Common sense?
Overwhelming number of people? Where are all these people experiencing this issue?
To all the poor suckers who have ordered or bought a Plus: thank your lucky stars for warranties.
Warranties cover physical misuse? Is the jerk in the video planning on getting a refund?