In a recent durability test conducted by Zack Nelson of the YouTube channel JerryRigEverything, the new Titanium iPhone 15 Pro Max from Apple was put to the ultimate challenge. Known for subjecting phones to extreme tests, Nelson’s evaluation of the largest and most expensive iPhone revealed some interesting results.
Starting off, Nelson admired the brushed titanium and etched back glass, describing them as “super cool.” However, when he began scratching the Ceramic Shield display, it held up well, showcasing its durability. Even the selfie camera, which was scraped with a box cutter, managed to withstand the damage, thanks to the Ceramic Shield protection.
Then the real test came when Nelson dragged the box cutter down the side of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, inadvertently removing the blue physical vapor deposition coating and exposing the titanium frame. Despite this, the display remained intact after being exposed to a naked flame for an extended period.
However, during the unscientific stress test where Nelson used his fingers and thumbs to bend the device, things took a turn for the worse. The back glass display shattered with relative ease, surprising Nelson, who noted that he has been conducting bend tests for the past 11 years and rarely sees phones break, especially iPhones.
The 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro handled the same bend test without any issues, which brought up questions about the differences between the two models. Nelson speculated whether the grade 5 titanium frame, with its significantly higher tensile strength than aluminum or half the elasticity, played a role in the unexpected breakage.
And just when it seemed like the iPhone 15 Pro Max had endured enough, Nelson took it a step further by using a blow torch on the already damaged handset. This further tested its durability and provided another moment to wince at the potential damage.
Overall, the durability test on the iPhone 15 Pro Max revealed some unexpected weaknesses, particularly in the back glass display. While the Ceramic Shield and titanium frame offered impressive resistance to scratching, the bend test proved to be a major downfall for this flagship device.
