- Apple challenges you to bend the iPhone Air live, only elastic flex is seen.
- Grade 5 titanium chassis and Ceramic Shield 2 to reinforce a 5,6mm body
- Metal-coated battery to withstand light twisting without damage
- Reservations open and market launch with more independent tests on the way
Among the new iPhones that are starting to be reserved in Spain, the focus is on the iPhone Air: The thinnest model Apple has ever madeIts 5,6mm profile has revived memories of the old "bendgate" scandal, but this time the company has set out to clear up any doubts from day one.
In an interview with Tom's Guide, executives John Ternus (hardware engineering) and Greg "Joz" Joswiak (marketing) sounded confident, even joking, inviting journalists to try the device. Their point is clear: The iPhone Air may flex slightly and return to its shape., avoiding permanent deformations in normal use.
Apple challenges you to bend the iPhone Air
During the interview, Joswiak threw the phone at one of the interviewers and asked them to try to bend it “hard.” According to reports, when applying too much pressure, the phone bends a little and returns to its original stateTernus describes this as expected behavior: if you force hard enough, there is a slight elastic flex, but no mark remains.
To make it clear, the executives compared the approach to that of an earthquake-resistant building: ability to give minimally to dissipate tension and return to the starting point. This isn't an invitation to mistreat the phone, but rather a demonstration of trust in the structure.
The company insists that it is not repeating the script of 2014. Although the ultra-thin aesthetic raises suspicions, Internal bending tests exceed their own standards, and that's why they dared to challenge us live during the interview.
Structure and materials: why there shouldn't be a bendgate 2.0
The basis of that security is in the frame. The iPhone Air uses a grade 5 titanium chassis, an alloy known for its high specific strength, already used in previous Pro models. The goal is to balance stiffness and lightness without sacrificing integrity.
The external protection is completed with Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and back, a reinforced glass that helps withstand twisting and minor impacts. It's not indestructible, but it does provide a significant extra in such a slim body.
Inside, Apple has redesigned the architecture: many components "live" in the upper area, on a kind of internal plateau. That layout, according to Ternus, was key to the project. It's where the camera module, the A19 Pro silicon and the speaker, while the battery takes up most of the remaining space.
Precisely the battery has received an additional metallic coating to better withstand small bends without compromising safety or reliability. It's a layer designed to add strength to the most sensitive area of any ultra-thin phone.
From the bendgate of the iPhone 6 to the ultra-thin bet of the Air
The precedent is known: in 2014, The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were criticized for bending relatively easily. by carrying them in your pocket. Since then, Apple avoided going further in extreme thinnessWith the Air, however, he returns to that terrain, but relying on more advanced materials and design so as not to repeat past mistakes.
The brand's public message is that the combination of titanium, new internal architecture, and glass treatments allows for a 5,6 mm profile without compromising durability in real-world use. Point bending without damage is contemplated, but the phone should not be permanently deformed in everyday scenarios.
Comparison with the iPad Pro M4 and the role of “extreme testing”
The closest reference is found in the iPad Pro with M4 chip: at 5,1 mm, it is even thinner than the iPhone Air and has gone through dubbing tests on YouTube by creators such as JerryRigEverythingAlthough the tablet can be damaged in extreme situations, it resisted direct breakage attempts much better than previous generations.
All this should be put into context: “Rough” tests do not represent everyday lifeIn normal mobile phone use (in pockets, backpacks, on the table, on the couch), the effort rarely approaches the level of outrage seen in those viral videos.
Price, reservations and what's coming next
The iPhone Air was introduced at the Awe Dropping event as the model that sits between the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro. The Reservations have already started on Apple's website and its price starts at $999The launch is scheduled for Friday, September 19, when the first units will reach buyers.
As always, more independent metrics and "tortures" will arrive as soon as the device is on the streets: strength tests, bending measurements and comparisonsIt will be time to compare Apple's promises with third-party results.
The picture looks different from a decade ago: between the titanium chassis, the glass reinforcement and the battery protection, Apple says the iPhone Air won't repeat bendgateThe phone may give a little if pushed, but it's designed to spring back into shape, and the important thing will be to see how it performs away from the lab and the spectacle of viral videos.
I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.
If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.