iPhone XS and XS Max Survive Liquid Dunk, but break immediately in drop test

Following the new iPhone versions, the devices are still subject to a series of durability tests, and the iPhone XS and XS Max are no exception. Over the weekend, the SquareTrade guarantee company conducted several tests on the two new smartphones, checking Apple's claims regarding IP68 water resistance and a more durable glass.

According to Apple, the iPhone XS and XS Max use "the most durable glass ever installed on a smartphone" and have improved IP68 water resistance, which means they can withstand water up to two meters deep for about 30 minutes.

In SquareTrade's tests, both iPhones resisted liquids well, but the more durable glass did not prevent them from breaking when they fell.

It only took one drop test of a six-foot range on a hard surface for the iPhone XS to break entirely, which caused the glass case to break. at the back of the device. Like the iPhone X, the iPhone XS and XS Max feature windows at the front and back to allow wireless charging.

The result was the same for the iPhone XS Max, the rear window of the smartphone crashing after a fall of six feet. The stainless steel frames that Apple uses for the iPhone XS and XS Max have protected both devices during a side drop test, but the face-down drop test has also resulted in a break.

In the event of a fall, the iPhone XS suffered from a broken and faulty display, while the iPhone XS Max was damaged by cracks and glass, but its screen was still usable.

After a 60-second test, both the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max were cracks and scratches and exposed windows after the damage, and during a pressure-bend test, the iPhone XS the screen has completely failed.

SquareTrade has also tested the waterproofness of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max in an unprecedented way, using a 5-foot and 30-minute dipping test in a tank filled with 138 cans of beer. The beer was the liquid of choice for the test because Apple mentioned the beer resistance when presenting the two devices.

The iPhone XS and XS Max both survived the extended beer bath and were fully operational thereafter, confirming Apple's claims on water resistance.

SquareTrade has awarded each iPhone a "score of breakability" taking into account the performance of each test, as shown in the image below. The iPhone XS scored a breakout score of 86, rated "high risk," while the iPhone XS Max scored a breakout score of 70, rated "medium risk."

In short, SquareTrade believes that the iPhone XS and XS Max are more powerful than the iPhone X, but they are still likely to break easily as both devices broke during the first test drop.

"We were very impressed with the iPhone XS Max, which is much more powerful than its predecessor, the iPhone X. However, as with the iPhone X, our tests show that the all-glass design of the iPhone XS and XS Max likely to crack, especially drops, the most common cause of damage, said Jason Siciliano, vice president of creative director at SquareTrade.

"The cost of repairing the new iPhones is expected to be around $ 399 to replace a front display and $ 599 to replace a broken display.The repair costs now being $ 599 to buy a new iPhone.These are beautiful phones.

As for the iPhone X, non-warranty repairs for all-glass appliances from Apple are expensive. Without AppleCare +, the replacement of the screen on the iPhone XS costs $ 279, while a screen repair for the iPhone XS Max costs $ 329.

The damage to the back of the device falls under the category "Other repairs", which costs $ 549 for the iPhone XS and $ 599 for the iPhone XS Max, which in turn makes a good idea.