Apple called iPhone Air its most durable iPhone yet, and a new third-party test backs that up in dramatic fashion. In a comprehensive stress test focused on bending and scratch resistance, the ultra-thin model withstood repeated hand-applied force without permanent deformation and only failed when subjected to machine-applied pressure well beyond everyday use.
The video by JerryRigEverything walks through the usual suite of controlled abuse to probe weak points that don’t show up in spec sheets. It is methodical rather than sensational, showing where the Air flexes, where it holds, and how the front glass actually fares under standardized scratching tools. The outcome aligns closely with Apple’s own durability messaging for this generation.
What makes this result notable is how it compares to prior iPhones and common expectations. Historically, most phones mark at level 6 on the Mohs scale with deeper grooves at level 7, so seeing the Air avoid visible marks at 6 represents a real, measurable improvement for scratch resistance in day-to-day use. It does not make the screen scratch-proof, but it meaningfully reduces the chance you will see hairline scuffs from incidental contact with pockets, bags, or tables.
The bend behavior is just as important since in human-force scenarios, the chassis flexes but does not hold a bend, which is what users actually worry about in a backpack or back-pocket incident. Only when a rig delivers more than 215 lbs of concentrated force does the structure fail. That threshold is well beyond normal real-world pressure, and it dovetails with Apple’s own lab demonstrations earlier this week that showed an iPhone Air surviving more than 130 lbs in a controlled bend fixture.
A important detail from the video is what happens after the experiment. When the display glass finally cracked under the machine, the back glass remained unshattered and touch input still registered. That suggests layered resilience: cover glass improvements for scratch resistance, structural distribution that resists creasing, and component protection that maintains basic functionality even in edge cases.
For buyers deciding between iPhone Air and the 17 Pro models, this test shifts the conversation from “will a thin phone bend?” to “how has Apple rebalanced thinness and strength this year?” The margin looks better than expected. If you want the lightest iPhone and were holding back due to bend anxiety, this independently reproduced result should ease that concern. If you prioritize maximum drop protection, a case and screen protector still make sense because scratch resistance is not impact resistance, and point impacts on concrete remain the most common failure mode.
