After introducing the iPhone 16 series earlier this month, Apple has finally started shipping the phones. Soon after they went on sale, several teardown and durability videos of the iPhone 16 models surfaced online. Notably, the popular YouTuber Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything channel has also posted a video testing the durability of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The larger iPhone 16 model seems to have survived the durability test with flying colors.
iPhone 16 Pro Max barely flexes during the durability test
In Nelson’s durability test, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max barely flexes when bent from both sides. The company has used a strong titanium frame on the new iPhone to provide the added sturdiness. However, the titanium part scratches just like anodized aluminum. Apple claims this year’s Ceramic Shield glass display is 50 percent tougher than the first-gen offering. However, the YouTuber puts scratch marks on the screen using various tools relatively easily.
Notably, Nelson holds the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s display against an open flame for more than 10 seconds. However, the screen shows no obvious signs of deterioration of any kind. The YouTuber still says it’s not “best to try this at home”.
New Camera Control button has impure sapphire protection
During the iPhone 16 Pro Max durability test, the YouTuber mentioned that the new Camera Control button has a layer of sapphire crystal. However, it does get scratched at a level 7 pick from the Mohs scale of hardware. Also, the company seems to have used a layer of “impure sapphire” crystal on the Camera Control button. This is likely due to the imperfections that are caused when cutting out of shape.
That said, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has easily survived scratching, bending, and fire in Nelson’s durability test. Notably, last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max’s back glass shattered on the first bend. However, this year’s Max model doesn’t even bend a little when bent from either side. In case you want to know how strong the iPhone 16 Pro is, read about its durability in our earlier post.
