The iPhone 16 series might offer few upgrades over its predecessor, but reviews of Apple’s latest handsets have been positive. There have also been several durability tests carried out on the Pro models – with mostly good results. The devices stand up to a variety of punishments pretty well, though the thin bezels mean that dropping them can cause some big problems.
Zack Nelson from YouTube’s favorite device-torture channel, JerryRigEverything, put the iPhone 16 Pro Max through the usual durability tests. Nelson began by mocking Apple for the similarities between this year’s iPhone and the iPhone 15.
The Sapphire-plated camera control button is the single new hardware feature on the handsets. It starts showing scratches at level 5, rather than 8 or 9, which would be the case for pure sapphire. Nelson believes this is due to the microfracturing of the cutting process.
Onto the screen, Nelson notes that scratches still appear at level 6, despite Apple’s claims of its toughness. The titanium exoskeleton scratches just as easily as anodized aluminum, but the OLED display shows little reaction to the flame test.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max survived a forceful bend with no damage, a significant improvement over its predecessor. However, it doesn’t appear to excel in surviving drops. The thin bezels cause significant damage when dropped on the edge.
Key findings from the tests include: