Apple opens the door to its secret iPhone testing facility
Photo Credit: The Verge
If there's a benefit to media uproars similar to what we're seeing now with the whole "bent iPhones" saga, it's that Apple is forced to lift up their curtains of secrecy ever so slightly. Earlier today, Apple addressed "bendgate" and said that they've only received 9 customer complaints on the matter thus far. What's more, Apple assured users that the iPhone 6 Plus met Apple's high quality standards to "endure everyday, real life use."
For those still not convinced, Apple took things a step further and invited Josh Lowensohn of The Verge into their secret this-place-didn't-officially-exist-until-now iPhone torture chamber. Yep, some frenzied media outlets might have you believe otherwise, but Apple puts each new iPhone model through a series of extremely rigorous tests to ensure that it can withstand all types of extreme and bizarre conditions.
Apple's answer today, both in a statement and now in these testing facilities, is that the iPhone 6 is tough. It's made with steel / titanium inserts designed to reinforce potential stress points, a special blend of aluminum Apple formulated itself, and ion-strengthened glass. But more important, Apple says, is that the iPhone 6 has been put through hundreds of tests, as well as tested in the pockets of thousands of Apple employees before consumers ever get their hands on it.
What's the exact number of devices Apple went through before it was done? About 15,000 for each the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, according to the company. "The iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus are the most tested," Dan Riccio, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, told us today. "As we add more and more features, we have to find out a way to break them before customers do."
And among the myriad of tests Apple runs on the iPhone before a mass market release are tests designed to simulate the impact on the iPhone when users accidentally sit on their device when it's nestled inside their back pocket. And of course, this is in addition to all sorts of medieval stress, press, and torque tests that really put the iPhone through the ringer.
The Wall Street Journal, which was also invited to the facility, adds:
Apple pointed to five different tests that new iPhones go through in the development process, including what is known as "pressure point cycling test" when it applies substantial force on the display and enclosure hundreds of times while the phone is held by the sides. Apple said this process bends the enclosure repeatedly to ensure that the iPhone can be bent and pressed at reasonable force throughout its life.
Another test, according to Apple, is called the "sit test." This test simulates sitting on a hard surface with the phone in the back pocket of a pair of tight jeans. Apple said it runs the phones through thousands of cycles testing the phone in different positions.
Be sure to check out the full post at The Verge for a full assortment of photos taken at Apple's iPhone testing facility.
