Roger Fingas
A new video published on Monday shows a gold iPhone shell claimed to be for Apple's rumored "iPhone 6s," and suggested that Apple has strategically reinforced portions of the device to avoid last year's media-hyped "bendgate" controversy.
The areas around buttons and other cut-outs in the 6s shell are "significantly" thicker when compared with the iPhone 6, according to Unbox Therapy. The YouTube channel also did overall length, width, and mass measurements, finding that while the 6s part is slightly bigger than its predecessor, it manages to be 2 grams lighter.
The latter point may back claims by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and others, who have hinted that Apple is using tougher 7000 Series aluminum. Along with some structural changes, the material could be allowing Apple to make the 6s more resilient while miniminizing bulk. 7000 Series metal is already used in the Apple Watch Sport.
Unbox Therapy was one of the originators of "bendgate," thanks to a video showing that it was possible to permanently warp an iPhone 6 Plus with enough hand pressure. Previously, some people had complained that the 6 Plus was bending in their pockets.
Later videos noted that other smartphones — such the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 — are not immune to the problem. The controversy has largely died down since, although Apple may be eager to avoid any future bad publicity.
The iPhone 6s and a 6s Plus are expected to be announced as soon as September 9, though when they will ship is uncertain, especially given rumors of production delays.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
44 Comments
A stronger body just means that goons will simply apply more force to bend it so that they can get their little 15 minutes of fame on their amateur YouTube channel, and be linked to by link-baiting blogs and websites (and you can bet your a$$ AI will be there).
Apple hasn't said anything about their upcoming phone being stronger; that's entirely the rumor mill making promises again on Apple's behalf.
I wonder which 7000 series alloy they're using. There's a big difference in strength and hardness between the 705x and 707x series, with the 705x being the stronger and harder. Both are significantly better in both regards than the most commonly used 6061.
[quote name="macinthe408" url="/t/187570/new-video-shows-alleged-iphone-6s-shell-with-reinforced-sides-lighter-weight#post_2758656"]A stronger body just means that goons will simply apply more force to bend it so that they can get their little 15 minutes of fame on their amateur YouTube channel, and be linked to by link-baiting blogs and websites (and you can bet your a$$ AI will be there).[/quote] It doesn't matter. It's the relative performance that matters.
Was there ever a Bengate media circus surrounding the highly bendable Sammy S6? You know, The one that bends and glass shatters at LESS force than the iPhone?
Did these youtube 5-minutes-of-famers even cover it?