The iPhone 16 and the 16 Plus survive extreme durability tests without sweat.
The base iPhone 16 models developed deeper groves at level 7 on the Mohs scale.
Apple launched the iPhone 16 series with an aerospace-grade aluminium enclosure for base models and a Titanium chassis for Pro variants. While the Pro models have proven to be highly durable, courtesy of the famous YouTuber Zack Nelson, the face of JerryRigEverything, we have something about the standard models. It is shown that these are as durable as the pricier models. Let’s find out more below.
iPhone 16, 16 Plus Survive Scratch and Bend Tests
Nelson is known for his channel, JerryRighEverything, where he performs extreme bend, scratch, and fire tests on the latest smartphones. The content creator claims that the base iPhone 16 models are extremely sturdy, with the Plus variant outperforming most smartphones in the market, especially on the Mohs hardness scale.
The YouTuber starts the video with the scratch test on the Sapphire Crystal display with his Mohs Hardness Scale picks. The iPhone 16 and the 16 Plus models developed deeper groves on level 7, which is impressive. For context, other smartphones develop groves at level six, which can be felt by running a finger on them.
Nelson claims Apple’s latest generation Ceramic Shield “still feels very smooth” at level 7. The display’s durability was further illustrated by the flame test, in which Nelson held a flame in direct contact with the display. Unlike other smartphones, the iPhone 16 models didn’t develop dead pixels or marks.
However, the aerospace-grade aluminium enclosure doesn’t hold up against the razor blade, with metal scratching on the sides. On the brighter side, the camera lenses on the back and the new Camera Control button with a layer of sapphire crystal remained unscratched.
Despite being crafted from aluminium, the iPhone 16 and the 16 Plus variants didn’t flex or creak during the YouTuber’s signature brutal bend test. Nelson notes that while the base iPhone 16 models are as sturdy as their pricier Pro siblings, they are better in one aspect.
These models use new electricity-sensitive battery glue, which requires a low-voltage current to remove the battery. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro models still feature the traditional adhesive glue pull tabs.
