Want an iPhone 6 but scared you're throwing away your dollars for a bendy iPhone? Let's dissect the facts and see if there's any truth to this whole 'Bendgate' problem.
Apple has always been plagued by controversies right after a release. But none has generated more fumes than a video of a purported bendy iPhone 6.
THE PROBLEM:
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is perfect for slipping inside the jean pocket. Someone stepped up and claimed that the iPhone bent after he had it in his pocket and he sat down for a couple of hours (13 or so hours to be exact.) Then a certain Bendgate video went viral. It shows a reviewer bending an iPhone 6 with his hands. The authenticity of the video has been called into question because of the peculiar jumps in editing.
THE THEORIES:
Some say between the release date and six weeks after the whole issue erupted, Apple already managed to address the problem. One Reddit user claims there's a difference between an iPhone 6 purchased by his wife on the first week and the one he bought 6 weeks later. The weight, sound of the keypad and a mysterious 'red' object right inside the volume button is supposedly different. This would be all good news except it's extremely difficult to address a serious issue like this in only a matter of 6 weeks. Apple is awesome but from a technical standpoint, that just seems a long shot.
APPLE'S TAKE ON THE ISSUE:
In response to the hoopla, Apple actually opened their gates and showed the press a part of their lab where the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are stress tested. Their test includes three sit-down trials mimicking real world situations. It also undergoes a bend test with up to 25 kilograms of pressure applied to the phone. They say about 15,000 iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices underwent this test before shipping.
COMPARISON STRESS TEST (THIRD PARTY):
Of course, in the middle of the controversy, third party entities like Consumer Reports released their own tests. This time, they compared the bendability of various smart phones including the Galaxy Note 3, iPhone 5, LG G3, and the HTC One M8. According to them, the iPhone 6 Plus warped only after 90 pounds of pressure was applied to it. It performed slightly better compared to the iPhone 6, which succumbed after only 70 pounds of force was applied to it.
You can view the test here.
BOTTOM LINE:
Although this isn't an end all solution to the problem, the bottom line is that all aluminium phones will bend when the right pressure is applied to them. From a different perspective, Apple has done something unthinkable before: they managed to create a phone with a metal chassis much lighter and easier to handle compared to other devices and this should be seen as a positive thing. Of course, it won't be perfect but it's a great start that other companies can improve on. In the case of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the sacrifice is that the device is slightly more fragile compared to a thicker phone.
But if you're really on the fence deciding, we recommend to just go for it. If you're worried, buy a sturdy case to protect your investment. At most, modify your habits to ensure your phone is safe. There's no denying both the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are excellent gadgets. You'll be missing out if you let a little 'bendgate' controversy make the call for you.
Oh, and if you're looking for cases, try out our gallery over at The Dairy. We have tons you can choose from and we make sure each one will keep your phone safe.
Try and enjoy!
Cam :)
