iPhone Air put to the test: How robust is Apple's new smartphone?

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Since its launch, the iPhone Air has attracted attention primarily for one claim: Apple calls it the most robust iPhone ever. Whether this claim is true was tested by well-known YouTuber JerryRigEverything in his well-known endurance test. The smartphone was examined for its bending strength and the durability of its display – with exciting results.

Robustness is playing an increasingly important role in smartphones. Devices are constantly in use and must withstand drops, scratches, and pressure loads. With the iPhone Air, Apple is relying on a redesigned casing and the second generation of Ceramic Shield. Even beforehand, expectations were high as to whether these improvements would actually deliver noticeable benefits.

The bending test in practical use

The iPhone Air was subjected to massive stress in the bending test. It was impossible to destroy the device with mere muscle power. Instead of breaking, the smartphone merely bent and then returned to its original shape. Only with the help of a special mechanical device was JerryRigEverything able to locate the breaking point. The iPhone Air withstood a point force of over 215 pounds, or around 97 kilograms, before it gave way. Remarkably, even in its damaged state, not everything yielded to the stress. The front glass shattered, but the back glass remained intact, and the touchscreen digitizer continued to function. This demonstrated that Apple had indeed achieved a particularly high level of durability with the iPhone Air.

The scratch resistance of the Ceramic Shield 2

In addition to stability in the bend test, the display also played an important role. The iPhone Air is equipped with the second generation of Ceramic Shield, which Apple introduced together with the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone Air performed impressively in the scratch test, which is traditionally conducted using the Mohs scale. While conventional glass begins to show scratches at hardness levels 5 or 6, the new Ceramic Shield 2 remains virtually undamaged up to level 6. Light scratches are only visible at level 7. By comparison, sapphire only shows visible signs at level 9. This clearly sets the iPhone Air apart from all previous iPhones, which already showed clearly visible scratches at level 6. Apple claims up to three times greater scratch resistance, and the results confirm this claim. In the long term, this is a clear advantage for everyday use, even if a protective case like the Apple Transparent Case still makes sense.

Apple's promise in practice

Apple calls the iPhone Air the toughest iPhone ever. The tests provide clear evidence of this. Neither the bending test using pure muscle force nor the scratch tests were able to cause serious damage to the device. Only extreme stress led to breakage – and even then, the device retained some of its functionality.

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iPhone Air impresses as the most robust iPhone ever

The iPhone Air has proven that it deserves its title as the toughest iPhone yet. The combination of reinforced construction, high bending strength, and the improved Ceramic Shield 2 makes it a model that's particularly durable for everyday use. With the iPhone Air, Apple has not only launched a powerful smartphone, but also one that stands up to tough testing and represents a true leap forward in durability. Looking for accessories? Our Amazon Storefront is your destination for high-quality products, including HomeKit-compatible ones! (Image: Apple)