Despite new Ceramic Shield: Apple iPhone 16 models still vulnerable to falls
Apple’s latest iPhone 16 models feature second-generation Ceramic Shield material. According to Apple, this makes the smartphones even more robust than the iPhone 15 series with the first-generation Ceramic Shield. Device insurance provider Allstate Protection Plans released the results of its annual device drop test today. However, several others have now also tested the durability of the new iPhones.
Allstate tested the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, the largest iPhone ever at 6.9 inches. It still has a glass front and back. And although Apple has introduced the better Ceramic Shield material, it is still no match for a concrete sidewalk.
Allstate is conducting the next tests with a “DropBot” to simulate falls from a height of two meters. In the front-down drop test, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max display breaks and visible scratches are visible on the titanium frame. The smartphone is unusable after this, but still responds, so it can be repaired.
In the back-down drop test, the rear glass of the iPhone 16 Pro Max gives up after just one fall. The camera housing is also damaged. It remained functional, including the camera, but could no longer really be operated by hand due to the broken glass.
However, no smartphone has yet survived Allstate’s DropBot. So it’s not surprising that the iPhone 16 Pro Max also fails. Glass and hard surfaces do not make a good combination. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have a protection plan like AppleCare+ or use a protective case.
Drop tests of any kind are difficult to standardize to simulate actual durability in a real-world situation. The angle of the drop, the height and the surface will always vary. Allstate, on the other hand, no longer conducts water tests at all, as the iPhones have a solid water resistance rating with IP67. Other YouTube videos, on the other hand, have also subjected the Apple iPhone 16 models to drops, hammering, scratches and open flames.
AppleCare+ for the Apple iPhone 16 costs €169 for two years or €8.99 per month. For the iPhone 16 Plus you pay 199/9.99 € and for the Pro and Pro Max 229 or 9.99 €. The display replacement only costs the excess of 29 €. Without it, the costs are between 339 and 488.99 €.
