Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus 'Bendgate' Fixed: Apple Promises No More Bend for New Phones

By Komfie Manalo
Leaked iPhone 6S case
Leaked image of the iPhone 6S case gives us a glimpse of the upcoming model's design.  GSM Arena

Following the embarrassing controversy about the so-called "Bendgate" video test showing the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus apparently bending or showing a slight curvature with a minimum force, especially when the devices were placed inside the users pockets, Cupertino-based tech giant Apple promises that the issue has been resolved.

Engineers at Apple have tweaked the design of the new iPhone 6s with a much sturdier shell and reinforced the smartphones weak points, particularly on its rear shell. Apple has recently released a video test posted on YouTube claiming "no more bending for iPhone 6s".

In the video, the iPhone 6s was shown as have a thicker shell in areas around the Home and volume buttons. MacRumors said the thickness of the new Apple iPhone 6s is now 1.9mm versus 1.14mm of the previous iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The much thicker iPhone 6s is expected to resolve the problem of bending under normal usage, the report added.

However, despite having a much thicker and stronger shell, the iPhone 6s is reported to be lighter than its predecessors, the report added. The new iPhone 6s weighs at least 25 grams compared to the 27 grams for the iPhone 6 rear shell, hinting that Apple could be using a new material such as the rumored 7000 Series anodized aluminum for its next-generation smartphones.

Luma Labs co-founder and industrial designer Greg Koenig told TechCrunch in an interview, "The changes Unbox Therapy is showing are perfectly logical adaptations for Apple to have addressed the Bendgate situation. Clearly, adding more material around those known stress points (at the home and volume buttons) is going to improve the overall strength." He added, "The combination of this material addition plus the rumored switch to 7000 series aluminum (which has roughly 3x the yield strength of 6061) should make the iPhone 6s one of the least bendy smartphones ever made."

Koenig said the trick for Apple's sturdier but lighter shell is by using the 7000 series aluminum instead of  the 6000 series aluminum.

"Apple is buying entire smelting runs of aluminum at a time, so the cost difference for them is virtually nothing," Koenig said. "7000 even machines a touch faster than 6000 series, but finishing and anodizing 7000 series is quite challenging. My guess is that Apple climbed the learning curve on how to process 7000 series aluminum parts with the Watch project, and is now leveraging that knowledge to improve the iPhone."

Earlier, Apple explained that instances when an iPhone 6 Plus bending under normal use is "extremely rare," and said only nine complaints were received by the company from thousands of units they have sold. Apple insisted that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus feature a "precision engineered unibody enclosure" constructed from 6000 series anodized aluminum and "stainless steel and titanium inserts to reinforce high stress locations" on the devices.

Bending issues are not limited to the iPhone 6 Plus, as previous generations of the iPhone, including the iPhone 5 and the iPhone 5s have also seen complaints of bending after being subjected to a pocket.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories