Key Takeaways
1. The entry-level iPhone 17 passed durability tests with excellent results, making it a strong option in the lineup.
2. The front screen features a ceramic shield that protects it up to level seven on the Mohs hardness scale, showing good resistance to scratches.
3. The back lacks the ceramic shield and showed varying scratch resistance, with level five and below causing minimal damage, while level six left lasting marks.
4. The iPhone 17 successfully passed the bend test, demonstrating slight flexing but no cracks, indicating a robust design.
5. Pre-order statistics suggest the iPhone 17 is expected to outsell the successful iPhone 16.
Following the testing of the iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 Pro (Max), the entry-level iPhone 17 has also undergone the durability assessment by JerryRigEverything (linked below). This model is the most affordable in the series and is anticipated to outsell the already successful iPhone 16, based on pre-order statistics. Luckily, it has passed the durability evaluation with excellent results.
Testing Methodology
In addition to standard scratch testing tools, JerryRigEverything employed everyday items to simulate typical wear and tear. Starting with the front of the iPhone 17, the ceramic shield performed admirably, protecting the screen up to level seven on the Mohs hardness scale. There was some minor smudging at level seven, but no scratches or cracks were evident. The back of the phone presents a more intriguing scenario, as it lacks the ceramic shield that enhances scratch resistance seen in the iPhone Air and Pro versions.
Scratch Resistance Findings
Interestingly, while a stainless-steel utility knife (rated at level five hardness) left only light scratches on the back, an aluminum piece with a hardness of level three managed to leave permanent marks. Although this was a deliberate scratching test, there have been multiple accounts of display units in stores getting scratched. Apple, however, refutes these claims, asserting that what some see as scratches are merely “material transfer.” In terms of the iPhone 17, a titanium rod (level six) also left lasting impressions. Conversely, a copper and nickel coin, a brass key, copper wire, a 90% silver coin, and a 90% gold coin did not create any permanent damage.
Bend Test Results
In the bend test, applying full pressure resulted in no cracks on either the front or back. The device exhibited only slight flexing, demonstrating that the combination of an aluminum frame and glass is sufficiently robust to endure bending from regular usage. This outcome was consistent across the entire lineup, including the iPhone Air, which, despite its slim profile, can handle considerable force.
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