The new iPhone 15 line, particularly the Pro models, has lots of cool new features — USB-C charging, enhanced cameras, a new customizable action button, and more. But there may be one major drawback: It could break more easily.
The iPhone 15 Pro models are composed of titanium, replacing its predecessor's stainless steel material. It also has more rounded edges. Apple said the shift in composition should make the phone more durable and lighter. However, the first major drop test posted online tells a different story.
Sam Kohl of AppleTrack flew to Australia — yes, really — to get his hands on the phone early to do a drop test. Kohl did a direct comparison between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro, dropping both at the same time, over and over. At first, the iPhone 14 Pro showed dings before the iPhone 15 Pro when dropped from pocket and chest height. Both phones, however, were pretty much totally fine after the first few drops.
But things got worse for the iPhone 15 Pro as the test went on. After doing back, side, and extreme drops, the iPhone 14 Pro was pretty much fully functional. The iPhone 15 Pro, however, had sustained major damage and was totally nonfunctional. In fact, it was in two pieces.
Kohl concluded that the iPhone 15 Pro's curved edges were more to blame than the titanium, but either way, that is not a good first sign for the durability of the phone. He suggested that folks who typically go caseless would not want to do so with the new version of the phone. You can see the full test below.
Of course, one test on YouTube isn't the end-all, be-all. Time will tell if the iPhone 15 is, in fact, less durable. The phone officially went on sale in the U.S. on Friday — so beware all you butterfingers folks out there.
