iPhone 6 - September 9, 2014 Event

[FlameOn]

For all the designers, engineers and anyone else interested. In depth analysis on the design flaw causing the iPhone 6+ bending issues with pictures and why it is a problem that wasn't caught at QC. Apple's testing harness tests at center of mass. Basically it boils down to a poorly designed part that is only created to deflect stress at a particular test point rather than all other points within the unibody design.

Spoiler!

Short versión: it's not bc it's thin or aluminum, it's bc behind the volume buttons there's a metal reinforcement that's not well designed. Keep reading to know the details.
This is a visual analysis that tries to explain as simple as possible why the iPhone 6 plus bends like shown in the video from Unbox Therapy.
What we see in the video.
The red and yellow arrows represent the forces applied and how they affect the profile of the phone, and the blue graph represents the moment caused by the forces.
Things to notice:
1. The forces aren’t applied throughout the entire transversal section of the phone but mainly at one side.
2. There’s only one point of the profile giving in to flexion under the area with maximum moment.
3. There’s evident stretching of the upper portion of the profile, no evidence of compression in the bottom portion of the profile (seen with red and yellow arrows).

Spoiler!

Taking a look at the iFixit teardown (for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus) we can examine the inner design of the case. Both iPhone 6 and 6 plus have the same profile design for the edges with just 0.2mm difference in width. (iPhone 6 plus 7.1mm vs. 6.9mm from iPhone 6).

Spoiler!

Things to notice:
1. The case is the structure that provides internal support and rigidness of the device. Especially the frame with a thick semi-circle shaped profile.
2. The screen, and the way it’s attached to the case, does not provide a lot of resistance when flexed towards the back of the phone.
3. According to iFixit teardown, the battery is easy to remove, and not fixed to the case.
4. Notice there are no printed boards screwed to the case where the volume buttons are.
5. Cutouts for volume buttons significantly reduce the profile but there is a metal insert screwed to the side supporting the volume buttons.

Spoiler!

It’s important to clarify, that this are representative, since I don’t have access to the actual case I cannot be sure the shape is exactly like that or its correct proportions. But we don’t need actual dimensions to identify that section B has the more critical profile of that side, first because the cutout for the button takes most of the thickness and second because as seen before is right in the area of maximum moment when flexed. When a profile is flexed the upper portion is stretched and the bottom portion is compressed, and we can see the upper portion at B has less area for resistance so we can expect here more deformation.
The following is the key part.
If we look where the bend occurs and where the metal insert screw is, we see they are not far apart. This means the metal insert isn’t able to absorb moment so close to the screw because it doesn’t have any other substantial point there where to hold on to thus it spins following the bending.
So I can get to the conclusion that it’s not about if it bends or not, as seen in the video we know it does where other phones don’t or less so. It’s not about how much force must be applied and if a pocket will do the trick or not. It’s just that under a particular type of flexing, the phone is prone to bend mainly because a metal insert meant to reinforce instead spins in an axis too close to the critical point. If they were further apart allowing better support to counter the flexing and not spining, it would make it more resistant.

Apple shows us how they test their devices

Spoiler!

But if we compare how the forces where applied in our case to achieve deformation against Apple testing methods we can see they don’t match our scenario.
In this case, the force applied is distributed through the entire transversal profile, not just one side and it doesn’t generate maximum moment at the critical point we saw.

Spoiler!

Here too the way it’s coupled to the machine makes the forces to distribute throughout the transversal section and we won’t find pure flexion at our critical point. In this case the metal insert is actually helping resist.
It’s worth noting that although the iPhone 6 has the same profile design on the edges as the 6 Plus, the fact that it’s shorter makes harder to achieve the moment necessary to cause the flexion like in the 6 Plus.

http://imgur.com/a/FBegH

[Regular_John]

So, guess who paid $50 last week to have his 4S unlocked by the carrier only to drop it onto a cement floor and destroy the screen today?

Yup, this guy.

So CP, what do you think:
- $99 to iPhix for a new screen
- $699 for a 5s
- $859 for a 6

Honestly leaning towards the $99 screen fix because I'm stubbornly attached to the smaller iPhone size. But just for fun let's hear the benefits of the other wallet emptying options.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

So, guess who paid $50 last week to have his 4S unlocked by the carrier only to drop it onto a cement floor and destroy the screen today?

Yup, this guy.

So CP, what do you think:
- $99 to iPhix for a new screen
- $699 for a 5s
- $859 for a 6

Honestly leaning towards the $99 screen fix because I'm stubbornly attached to the smaller iPhone size. But just for fun let's hear the benefits of the other wallet emptying options.

There have been a few tempting deals on the 5S models in the buy & sell on here recently that were in the $500-$550 range.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

So, guess who paid $50 last week to have his 4S unlocked by the carrier only to drop it onto a cement floor and destroy the screen today?

Yup, this guy.

So CP, what do you think:
- $99 to iPhix for a new screen
- $699 for a 5s
- $859 for a 6

Honestly leaning towards the $99 screen fix because I'm stubbornly attached to the smaller iPhone size. But just for fun let's hear the benefits of the other wallet emptying options.

The correct answer is D: a $1000 6 plus with me.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Russic

The correct answer is D: a $1000 6 plus with me.

We've discussed this, I'm not joining your belt holster club. You're on your own.

[ken0042]

Take it to the Apple store. They might be willing to give you a discount off a newer phone.

[terminator]

If i remember correct its 180 to get a new phone for damaage through apple

[OldDutch]

Didn't see this posted yet. Consumer Reports did their own testing and concludes that the chance of your iPhone bending in real world use is extremely small.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/26/68...-than-6-6-plus

"Our tests show that both iPhones seem tougher than the Internet fracas implies," Consumer Reports' Glenn Derene says. "While nothing is (evidentally) [sic] indestructible, we expect any of these phones should stand up to typical use."

[terminator]

why is stock taking so god damn long to come in?

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

So, guess who paid $50 last week to have his 4S unlocked by the carrier only to drop it onto a cement floor and destroy the screen today?

Yup, this guy.

So CP, what do you think:
- $99 to iPhix for a new screen
- $699 for a 5s
- $859 for a 6

Honestly leaning towards the $99 screen fix because I'm stubbornly attached to the smaller iPhone size. But just for fun let's hear the benefits of the other wallet emptying options.

You're best off getting the phone fixed, and then Apple offers a recycling program that will give money (depending on phone and quality) to the purchase of a new phone.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

So, guess who paid $50 last week to have his 4S unlocked by the carrier only to drop it onto a cement floor and destroy the screen today?

Yup, this guy.

So CP, what do you think:
- $99 to iPhix for a new screen
- $699 for a 5s
- $859 for a 6

Honestly leaning towards the $99 screen fix because I'm stubbornly attached to the smaller iPhone size. But just for fun let's hear the benefits of the other wallet emptying options.

Is it really $99 to fix? What about those non-legit ones? I can't imagine a huge issued with using a 3rd party non-endorsed by apple.

http://www.calgaryiphonerepair.com/iphone-4s-repair/

These guys are $85. I'm sure you can find less at those stalls at cross irons or even the NE T&T mall or maybe haggle with the above site to do it for less?

EDIT: Linked 4 instead of 4S. But I stand by my statement to haggle. What is the difference that requires a $5 premium to replace the same screen on a 4 vs 4S?

[BananaPancakes]

Please don't take it to iPhix. I took a phone to them to get a screen replaced and they messed proximity sensor and camera. They use cheap third-party parts and their staff is made up of students with questionable repair/electronics experience.

Before anything, you should take it to an Apple store and see what they can do for you. Even if you're out of warranty, they might repair/replace it for free for you.

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by terminator

why is stock taking so god damn long to come in?

You can no longer check your place in line with Rogers. Just says "in progress" now. Guess they got sick of people checking their spot every 2 hours. Ha.

[FFR]

If anyone is looking to buy an iPhone 6 (64GB/Space Grey) outright, I have one with only 26 minutes of talk time. It is locked to Rogers though (but I think it can be unlocked). It's posted in the buy and sell but PM me if interested!

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by BananaPancakes

Please don't take it to iPhix. I took a phone to them to get a screen replaced and they messed proximity sensor and camera. They use cheap third-party parts and their staff is made up of students with questionable repair/electronics experience.

Before anything, you should take it to an Apple store and see what they can do for you. Even if you're out of warranty, they might repair/replace it for free for you.

I've never had any luck with the genius bar on things like this. I've heard stories of folks walking out with new phones even after they dropped them, but in my experience I get told "that's a high impact zone sir, we don't cover that".

[Russic]

I think the heyday of Apple just giving away swapper phones is sadly over. Right around the time that blog post from a former Apple Store employee came out discussing the "phone smashing parties" they'd throw, things started falling apart. Once they announced Apple Care+ (which allows for lower cost fixes), they got a little more stingy on what they will or will not do.

Edit: The 64 gig 6+ I ordered 2 hours after the reservations began has only just now begun shipping. I'm guessing supply constraints and a worldwide launch will do that.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

I've never had any luck with the genius bar on things like this. I've heard stories of folks walking out with new phones even after they dropped them, but in my experience I get told "that's a high impact zone sir, we don't cover that".

Ask about a refurb? Trade in credit using your current phone towards one, or something like that? A no is no, doesn't hurt to ask. Maybe not when they're all frustrated and busy with the 6 launch though and when things are a bit quieter.

[Regular_John]

$109 later and I've got a new screen on my 4s. Exciting times, I know.

Had I not just paid for the carrier unlock for some travel plans I probably would have sprung for something new. But I'm stubborn and cheap at times.

Anyways, baring any future problems I have no problem recommending iPhix. Quick service, no pressure to upsell, just an easy "ok, that'll be 90 minutes"

[terminator]

Finally go tmy perfect phone:

I used: http://abalu.kodamaplay.com/iphone.php to the find stock....... this site made it easy, did'nt have to watch stock just be ready.

[Russic]

I was using that site too (but not telling anybody). I didn't have any luck after several days. You managed to get a plus?