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Why You Shouldn’t Worry About iPhone 6 Bending Problems

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While the launch of the iPhone 6 was one of Apple’s best opening weekend releases ever for the iPhone, the company isn’t getting let off easy. The internet has been buzzing lately over some users noticing that their iPhone 6 Plus units slightly bend while tucked in their pocket, but this “fiasco” is being incredibly overblown.

While there has been enough attention to warrant Apple to address the issue and replace affected units, the company says that only nine customers have complained to Apple about the iPhone 6 bending problem.

Apple says that the iPhone 6 bending is “extremely rare” during normal use, which probably explains why there have only been nine complainst out of the 10 million iPhone 6 units that were sold over opening weekend, with that number growing as more and more iPhone 6 devices continue to sell.

Since the attention of the issue started to gain steam, YouTubers began to post videos of iPhone 6 units bending, and there’s even a video that shows a user actually physically trying to get his iPhone 6 Plus to bend. Spoiler alert: it bent. Frankly, I’m surprised the phone didn’t snap in half due to the amount of pressure and force he was applying. In that case, the device held up quite well.

Is this problem worth skipping the iPhone 6 or canceling an already-purchased iPhone 6?

Probably not.

As mentioned, Apple has only received nine complaints about a bent iPhone 6 units. Of course, there could be more users out there that haven’t filed a complaint yet, but even if there were 20 complaints filed, they would only make up a measly 0.0002% of all the iPhone 6 units that have been sold. That’s an extremely low ratio, and it’s almost nonexistent.

Nevertheless, Apple says that they will replace iPhone 6 units which become bent from the force applied while sitting down, just as long as your unit passes their visual inspection.

What kind of visual inspection, exactly? And what are the criteria that Apple will use to determine if a bent iPhone 6 is eligible for a replacement? The company says it will be “100% up to the Genius that you speak with at the Apple Store.”

There is a test called a Visual Mechanical Inspection that the iPhone 6 will have to pass. If it is within the guidelines, Apple will replacement the device free of charge, but if not, the customer will have to pony up money for a replacement iPhone 6.

It’s still not completely clear what these “guidelines” are, but it’s probably safe to say that if the phone still functions and there isn’t anything else wrong with it, Apple will most likely hand you a free replacement. The company has always been generous about giving out free replacements anyway.

Screen Shot 2014-09-25 at 3.39.11 PM

Apple has been rather quiet about this specific issue, but that’s likely because the fiasco with iOS 8.0.1 has garnered a lot of attention as well. However, Apple says that it is “looking into this with an insane amount of detail, ” but it looks like there’s nothing they can really do to prevent the problem from happening again, seeing as they would have to redesign the phone completely in order to strengthen its structural integrity. The company will have to wait until the iPhone 6s or the iPhone 7 before making changes.

In any case, a phone made out of thin aluminum will bend with the right amount of force, so we don’t see this as something incredibly surprising. In fact, there were several reports back when the iPhone 5s released of units bending in people’s pockets. Of course, the amount of attention the issue got was nothing compared to what the iPhone 6 “bendgate” is receiving now, which is rather unfortunate, since this issue is nothing new.

So what can you do to prevent your iPhone 6 from bending like this? For starters, a little bit of common sense goes a long way: don’t put your iPhone 6 in your back pocket and sit on it. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to not where tight pants with tight pockets that could restrict the movement of the iPhone 6 in your front pocket, which could lead to a slow bend in the device.

Many users put their smartphones on the desk or table in front of them if they’re sitting down, not only to have easy access to it when they need it, but it also prevents any kind of accidental damage from occurring.

Otherwise, if you notice your iPhone 6 is bent, take it into your local Apple Store and see if you can get a free replacement. You’ll most likely be able to, but as mentioned earlier, it’ll be up to the Genius Bar employee as to whether or not you get your wish granted.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Mike Yasich

    09/26/2014 at 11:53 am

    “Furthermore, it’s a good idea to not where tight pants with tight pockets…” Please update “where” to “wear.” Thanks.

  2. bryan

    10/12/2014 at 6:33 pm

    You see that but you dont see the apple will replacement the device

  3. Chris

    05/02/2015 at 2:00 am

    It bends with low gentle pressure from a normal front pocket. If you place it on a table, it will rock like a bad chair. If you leave it there a bit, it will flatten out.

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