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Comprehensive independent stress tests by Consumer Reports have put Apple in the clear over "bendgate".
Earlier this week, a rash of photos appeared on social media of bent iPhone 6 Pluses — the damage apparently caused by just carrying the supersize new model around in a front pocket.
Apple took the wind out of the controversy yesterday as it said just nine 6 Plus customers had complained about a bend from normal use (the company sold 10 million of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus over the new handsets' first three days on sale, but did not break down sales by model).
Consumer Reports' stress testing found an iPhone 6 Plus could withstand 90 pounds (40.8kg) of pressure before it deformed, and 110 pounds (49.9kg) before case separation .
The iPhone 6 could taks 70 pounds' ( 31.8kg) before deformation, and 100 pounds (45.4kg) before separation.
The subscriber-funded publication's verdict: the new iPhones are not quite as tough as some of the opposition (see table above), but it requires "significant force" to bend the case as shown in photos doing the rounds on Twitter and Facebook.
Read Consumer Reports' full test report here.
RAW DATA: Apple's statement on Friday
Our iPhones are designed, engineered and manufactured to be both beautiful and sturdy. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus feature a precision engineered unibody enclosure constructed from machining a custom grade of 6000 series anodized aluminum, which is tempered for extra strength.
They also feature stainless steel and titanium inserts to reinforce high stress locations and use the strongest glass in the smartphone industry. We chose these high-quality materials and construction very carefully for their strength and durability. We also perform rigorous tests throughout the entire development cycle including 3-point bending, pressure point cycling, sit, torsion, and user studies. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus meet or exceed all of our high quality standards to endure everyday, real life use.
With normal use a bend in iPhone is extremely rare and through our first six days of sale, a total of nine customers have contacted Apple with a bent iPhone 6 Plus.
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iPhone 6 'bendgate': Consumer Reports testing puts Apple in the clear
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