The Unbelievably Strong iPhone Air: Apple's Thinnest Phone Ever Defies Expectations

In an extreme test, the YouTuber JerryRigEverything used a crane scale to find the definitive breaking point of the iPhone 17 Air.

 iPhone 17 Air withstanding 73 pounds of force during a crane scale test. Image: JerryRigEverything

In a very surprising and defining moment for the smartphone arena, Apple's thinnest-ever smartphone, the iPhone 17 Air, has been put to the ultimate durability test. Everyone expected that in achieving such incredible thinness, Apple might have compromised on durability, but a new test completely proves this assumption wrong.

The well-known YouTuber, JerryRigEverything, famous for his intensive durability tests and teardowns of different devices, has uploaded a new video. In this video, they conducted a rigorous durability test of the thinnest iPhone 17 Air. JerryRigEverything first attempted a bend test using his own hands. While he did manage to get a slight, slow bow from the center, the iPhone 17 Air did not crack and surprisingly returned to its original flat state. This visual evidence clearly suggests that the phone's titanium frame is not only strong but also more elastic than aluminum. The device's ability to pass the initial bend test is a noteworthy accomplishment.

After the initial handheld bend test, JerryRigEverything moved to his garage for a more intense examination. Using a crane scale, metal plates, and chains, he sought to find the definitive cracking point of the phone. The visuals from the YouTube video clearly show the thinnest iPhone 17 Air, which is just 5.6mm thick, finally cracked when the pressure reached a massive 216 pounds. Considering the average person will not apply this amount of force, the device is more than safe for general use. It is highly unlikely it would be damaged if someone weighing less than 216 pounds were to sit on it.

This level of durability is a significant step forward in the world of thin smartphones. The iPhone 17 Air's direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which is 5.8mm thick, also passed a similar durability test (by hand only) in another JerryRigEverything video. While that device's back panel slightly separated from the mobile, it remained structurally intact, proving that a decent level of durability can be achieved in ultra-thin designs.

What are your thoughts on this new iPhone 17 Air? Do you like it? Share your comments in the section below.