Among the leading figures in the technology world, Marques Brownlee made a special visit to illuminate the durability tests of tech giant Apple. Brownlee showcased Apple’s rigorous test processes on iPhones before they hit the market, and detailed this experience on the social media platform X.
iPhone Durability Tests
The Apple laboratories Brownlee visited consist of various stages that test how durable iPhones are against water and drops. He had the opportunity to observe how devices are subjected to different water pressures to determine IP ratings.
For example, devices are tested from rain simulation at IPX4 level up to IPX8 level, showing how they perform under deep water.
It was also revealed that Apple uses specially designed industrial robots for drop tests. These robots can simulate hundreds of drop scenarios from different angles.
During these tests, Brownlee had the opportunity to watch in slow motion how the devices were damaged and how titanium frames reacted at the moment of impact, thanks to high-speed cameras used.
During this visit, an interview with Apple’s Head of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, also shared insights on why the repairability of iPhones is challenging.
Ternus discussed the balance between durability and repairability, indicating that the company has started to introduce some relaxations in its repair policies.
One of the most striking pieces of information was that over 10,000 prototypes of each iPhone model are tested before being released. Apple’s meticulous testing processes show how well-prepared the devices are against potential issues before reaching the end user.