The iPhone 16’s display features a new-generation Ceramic Shield, and this drop test shows just how strong it really is.
iPhone 16 drop test
According to Apple, the new generation of Ceramic Shield material is even stronger than the previous one. Insurer Allstate Protection Plans has performed an iPhone 16 drop test and presented the results, which will help us learn more about the durability of the new iPhones.
The front tested
Allstate tested the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple’s largest iPhone yet, at 6.9 inches. The front and back are again glass. Apple has introduced a better Ceramic Shield material, which is infused with ceramic for durability, but it still can’t survive a drop on concrete tiles.
Allstate conducted several tests using a “DropBot” to simulate drops from heights of up to 5 feet (1.5 meters). The face-down drop test shattered the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s display and left visible abrasions along the titanium frame. The drop rendered the iPhone 16 Pro Max unusable, but haptic responses were still present, indicating the device can be repaired.
The back tested
In the rear drop test, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s glass shattered after one fall, and the camera housing was also damaged. The phone remained functional, including the camera. However, the broken glass made the iPhone unsafe to hold and operate with bare hands. You can watch the full video from Allstate Protection Plans below.
No glass-based smartphone has survived Allstate’s drop test, so it’s no surprise that the iPhone 16 Pro Max has too. Glass and hard surfaces don’t mix, so it’s a good idea to opt for protection, in the form of AppleCare+ or a protective case. Many other drop tests are less useful for determining durability in a real-world situation. This is because, in general, the angle of the drop, the height, and the surface on which the iPhone falls always vary.
Allstate has since stopped immersion testing, however, because its iPhone models are now so resistant to water (IP67 certification).
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