SquareTrade iPhone X drop-test video disagrees with iFixit's repairability assessment

Device insurance purveyor SquareTrade calls the iPhone X the "most breakable iPhone ever" in a series of drop tests — but the assessments that the company did of the repairability differ with iFixit's teardown of the device.

SquareTrade performed a series of tests, dropping the iPhone X from six feet on to what appears to be concrete. Unsurprisingly, the first drop of the device onto its face saw the glass shatter, and the Super Retina screen become unresponsive.

Other angles of impact saw the iPhone X fare no better. Dropping the device onto its side or back also caused catastrophic damage to an unprotected iPhone.

A "shot test," simulating the iPhone falling off the roof of a car, and a 60-second tumble in a chamber without protection of any sort also showed the expected destruction.

The same video shows an iPhone X disassembly, with multiple cables being called harder to unplug, a smaller logic board harder to repair, and a "divided battery" that is harder to remove than previous models. However, a breakdown by iFixit sees no notable difference between the iPhone X and other models in these regards.

SquareTrade is correct in its assessment of repair prices. Apple's own service costs are higher for the iPhone X than other models, with an out-of-warranty incident costing the user $549, and a screen replacement without AppleCare+ selling for $279.

The iPhone 4, with front and back glass, had similar destruction from six-foot drops. However, the devices sometimes remained functional, albeit with shattered glass and sometimes exposed components. A more typical drop-height while in use is between three and four feet.

Both SquareTrade and iFixit have vested interest in producing repairability and damage susceptibility examinations. SquareTrade sells device accidental damage insurance, and iFixit sells parts for repair to end-users.

A variety of protective cases for the iPhone X shipped alongside the device from Apple itself and myriad other vendors.

44 Comments

rogifan_new 4297 comments · 9 Years

About 7 years ago

They sell insurance. They have a vested interest in making you think you’re new device is so fragile you just have to buy their insurance. And how many people drop their phones from 6 feet?

SpamSandwich 32917 comments · 19 Years

How about just be a smarter consumer and buy almost any kind of case for the phone? I’ve always purchased a case, have managed to drop multiple phones repeatedly and have not cracked a single screen yet.

macxpress 5910 comments · 16 Years

rogifan_new said:

They sell insurance. They have a vested interest in making you think you’re new device is so fragile you just have to buy their insurance. And how many people drop their phones from 6 feet?

I was just gonna ask that exact same question, how many people drop their phones from 6ft high? I'd think most fall out of pockets, or just get dropped while using it, or maybe even fall off a coffee table or something. Its gotta be rare that a phone falls from 6ft high.

This is also why you put a case on it...also why you get AppleCare+. If you can afford a $1000 phone then you can afford AppleCare+.

And you don't think that Apple did all of this testing themselves? They have specialized machines that put all kinds of stress on the phone from tumbling to bending, heat, cold, etc. Its not like Apple just designs and builds a phone without testing this stuff.

SpamSandwich said:

How about just be a smarter consumer and buy almost any kind of case for the phone? I’ve always purchased a case, have managed to drop multiple phones repeatedly and have not cracked a single screen yet.

My thoughts exactly! *Knock on wood* I've never cracked a phone from dropping it because I've had a case on it.

macxpress said:

rogifan_new said:

They sell insurance. They have a vested interest in making you think you’re new device is so fragile you just have to buy their insurance. And how many people drop their phones from 6 feet?

I was just gonna ask that exact same question, how many people drop their phones from 6ft high? I'd think most fall out of pockets, or just get dropped while using it, or maybe even fall off a coffee table or something. Its gotta be rare that a phone falls from 6ft high.

This is also why you put a case on it...also why you get AppleCare+. If you can afford a $1000 phone then you can afford AppleCare+.

And you don't think that Apple did all of this testing themselves? They have specialized machines that put all kinds of stress on the phone from tumbling to bending, heat, cold, etc. Its not like Apple just designs and builds a phone without testing this stuff.

SpamSandwich said:

How about just be a smarter consumer and buy almost any kind of case for the phone? I’ve always purchased a case, have managed to drop multiple phones repeatedly and have not cracked a single screen yet.

My thoughts exactly! *Knock on wood* I've never cracked a phone from dropping it because I've had a case on it.

My guess is Apple tests for real world situations where as outlets like this test what will bring attention, clicks, page views, and FUD if they’re offering a service they want you to pay for.

tshapi 372 comments · 13 Years

Honestly that depends on the case. I’ve had my phone crack while using some cases.

I started using speck with my iPhone 6s, and have been lucky enough to not have any issues. I plan on continuing with them, until their cases prove other wise.