iPhone X Is 'Most Breakable iPhone Ever'

Apple's new iPhone X might have an attractive design with features that make it one of the more attractive options on the market. But it's also apparently really, really prone to damage.

Photo credit: Shaun Lucas/Tom's Guide

(Image credit: Photo credit: Shaun Lucas/Tom's Guide)

In a study to identify just how well the iPhone X could hold, CNET put Apple's handset through the paces. The site found that while keys didn't do any visible damage to the handset, sandpaper caused some scratches.

But it was the site's very first drop test that is the most cause for concern. At a height of just three feet, or around where your pocket would be, the iPhone X fell onto its back and saw its rear panel cracked in a few spots, causing the glass back panel to go from attractive to damaged in one fell swoop.

Credit: John Kim/CNET

(Image credit: John Kim/CNET)

Next up, CNET tried dropping the iPhone X face down, and again, the iPhone X took a beating with cracks on both its front and rear panels. The iPhone itself was operating fine, according to CNET, but the damage was already done.

While CNET's testing was a bit closer to real life and how you might actually interact with an iPhone X — or damage it, for that matter — a video has surfaced from TechRax to see just how much of a beating the iPhone X can take.

MORE: iPhone X Review: Your Questions Answered

SquareTrade, a company that provides extended warranty plans on devices, also analyzed the iPhone X. Its finding? Apple's smartphone is the "most breakable iPhone" the company has ever tested, earning a score of 90 out of a possible 100 in breakability (lower is better).

"The most breakable, highest-priced, most expensive to repair iPhone, ever," SquareTrade said in its own video showing just how easily the iPhone X could be damaged.

In a video published recently, TechRax showed what it would take to damage the iPhone X when you take both a knife and a hammer to the handset — something the vast majority of iPhone X owners wouldn't even try.

First up, TechRax took a knife to the handset's backplate and started stabbing away. However, after several stabs and attempts to crack the screen with the knife, the iPhone X held up. TechRax was impressed by the performance, saying many other devices aren't able to withstand such damage.

Next up, it was hammer time. But unfortunately, the iPhone X couldn't hold up to the hammer, and after just a few whacks, the smartphone's screen was shattered. It wasn't long after a few more whacks that the iPhone X continued to be damaged and was ultimately rendered useless.

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Don Reisinger is CEO and founder of D2 Tech Agency. A communications strategist, consultant, and copywriter, Don has also written for many leading technology and business publications including CNET, Fortune Magazine, The New York Times, Forbes, Computerworld, Digital Trends, TechCrunch and Slashgear. He has also written for Tom's Guide for many years, contributing hundreds of articles on everything from phones to games to streaming and smart home.

  • ripjones256
    I see a VERY bright future for OtterBox. With the iPhone X, I think I need to buy some OtterBox stock -- quickly.
    Reply
  • 504soulja2k9
    why have a nice good looking phone and then put a ugly box around it why not just make a phone with shatter resistance or make phone protectors that dont take the look away from the phone
    Reply
  • bpballr04
    20348663 said:
    why have a nice good looking phone and then put a ugly box around it why not just make a phone with shatter resistance or make phone protectors that dont take the look away from the phone

    They do, the Motorola phones, but nobody is smart enough to buy them because they don't "Cost" enough?

    Reply
  • scottjohn5150
    The problem with Motorola phones is that they don't say Apple! :-)
    Reply
  • sergetest817tw
    Considering couple falls over two years ownership will cost 2k
    Reply
  • bpballr04
    20348974 said:
    The problem with Motorola phones is that they don't say Apple! :-)

    Haha I guess. I love my Moto z2 force so far for half the price of pixel and iPhone. I could buy a few of the expensive mods and still be less than just those phones...
    Reply
  • bpballr04
    Haha I guess. I love my Moto z2 force so far for half the price of pixel and iPhone. I could buy a few of the expensive mods and still be less than just those phones...
    Reply
  • bpballr04
    Haha I guess. I love my Moto z2 force so far for half the price of pixel and iPhone. I could buy a few of the expensive mods and still be less than just those phones...
    Reply
  • sergetest817tw
    Price is definitely an issue with new iphone
    Reply