Almost nothing causes a smartphone owner to cringe more than when he or she accidentally drops their new $1000 smartphone. SquareTrade does just that with new phone launches and has put the new iPhone Xs and Xs Max through their breakability test.
SquareTrade ran the devices through a number of drop, slide, tumble, and dunk tests to see how they hold up. Unfortunately, after the first 6-foot drop, both of Apple’s latest devices with all glass front and back shattered, although the Xs Max was still usable.
“We were super impressed with the iPhone Xs Max, which is much stronger than its discontinued predecessor, the iPhone X. However, as with the iPhone X, our tests show the all-glass design of the iPhone Xs and Xs Max make them highly susceptible to cracking, particularly from drops, the most common cause of damage,” said Jason Siciliano, vice president global creative director at SquareTrade. “Repair costs for the new iPhones are expected to be around $399 to replace a front screen and $599 to fix a shattered back. Considering $599 was the cost of the most expensive version of the very first iPhone, repair costs are now something to consider when buying a new iPhone. They’re beautiful phones. Just hang on tight.”
However, SquareTrade added beer to the mix this year to test Apple’s beer-resistance comment during their keynote. When submerged in the DunkBot filled with 138 cans of beer, both devices survived which is great news for frequent bar goers where beer and booze spills are the norm.
Check out the full results below:
- Face-down Drop Test: Like last year’s iPhone X, the all-glass design of the iPhone XS shattered on the first drop. The iPhone Xs Max cracked on the first drop but was still usable.
- Side and Back Drop Tests: Apple’s surgical-grade steel frame helped mitigate damage for the iPhone Xs and Xs Max during the side drop. However, the back drop test was a different story for both models. Not only did they shatter on the first drop, but the glass backing of the iPhone Xs came apart from its frame.
- Dunk Test: The new iPhones feature an improved IP68 water resistance rating, which means they can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. After being submerged in 138 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon for 30 minutes, both functioned normally and proved they would not leave consumers with a hangover.
- Repairability: SquareTrade’s Master Technician noted increased adhesive strength for both iPhone Xs and Xs Max, which explains their increased water-resistance. The iPhone Xs also features a single battery, unlike the iPhone X and Xs Max. But ultimately, when it comes to repair costs, consumers can expect to drop considerably more for repairs on their new iPhones.
What do you think about the iPhone Xs and Xs Max breakability test conducted by SquareTrade? Let us know in the comments below or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.
