iPhone 17 Air leak shows impossibly sturdy frame, but don't put your "bendgate" fears to bed just yet
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Rumored to be only 5.5mm thick, the upcoming iPhone 17 Air will be Apple's slimmest phone since the infamous iPhone 6, but can its reported titanium-aluminum frame help Apple avoid another "bendgate" disaster?
Footage shared to X last week by reputable leaker "Majin Bu" claims to show a mock-up of the iPhone 17 Air being put through an impromptu bend test and passing with flying colors.
Should it prove accurate, it's a clear indicator that Apple is taking durability seriously with its return to ultra-thin smartphones.
While the iPhone 17 Air hasn't been officially announced yet, we've seen a boatload of rumors about it, including leaked images of the design. The dummy unit shown in the video certainly matches up to what we've seen so far, but can we expect the real deal to stand up to similar levels of punishment?
Maybe we shouldn't put our "bendgate" fears to bed just yet.
See also: Best Apple deals in May 2025
On Friday, Majin Bu posted a video on X showing a bend test with a dummy version of the iPhone 17 Air.
Despite repeated attempts, the mock-up barely flinches, a polar opposite outcome to Apple's previous iPhone 6 Plus, which controversially folded with ease during Unbox Therapy's famous "bendgate" video released in 2014.
Hopefully, this is an indicator that Apple has learned from its past mistakes with "bendgate," and devised a way to make the iPhone 17 Air significantly more durable than the iPhone 6 Plus.
The iPad Pro M4 gives us reason to be optimistic, at least, since its ultra-thin chassis reportedly uses a new internal ribbing design that helps prevent bending.
However, you might not want to get your hopes up just yet. Keep in mind, the "phone" in this video is not an actual iPhone 17 Air, or even a phone at all. It's a pre-production "dummy," meaning it's a model based on the actual phone, or at least appears to be.
Since this isn't coming directly from Apple, we can't confirm how accurate the design or build quality of this mock-up is, regardless of how much it resembles previously leaked images of the iPhone 17 Air.
That said, dummy units like this are sometimes solid through-and-through, designed to give third-party companies a better idea of the size, weight, or ergonomics of a device to aid with the design of accessories, like smartphone cases, well in advance of a product's release.
This lump of metal may pass the bend test with ease, but the actual iPhone 17 Air that is expected to hit store shelves later this year? That's another story entirely.
Even if this leaked video is an accurate representation of the iPhone 17 Air's resistance to bending, durability isn't the only concern surrounding this phone.
Battery life could also take a hit due to the Air's ultra-thin chassis. There's simply less space for a large battery compared to something like the iPhone 17 Pro. That may be why Apple is rumored to be introducing an AI-powered battery optimization feature, which may be able to help compensate for a physically smaller battery in the iPhone 17 Air.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge may give us an idea of what to expect in terms of battery life. It features an ultra-thin design similar to the iPhone 17 Air, including a 3,900 mAh battery, which is notably smaller than the 4,900 mAh battery in the S25 Plus. It's possible we could see a similar reduction in battery size from the iPhone 17 or 17 Pro compared to the iPhone 17 Air.
We're keeping a close eye on all of the latest rumors and updates surrounding the iPhone 17, iOS 26 (formerly iOS 19), and WWDC 2025, so stay tuned for more info.
iPhone 17 Air: Rumors are thick on the thinnest iPhone ever
WWDC 2025 preview: iOS 26, Apple's video game plans, Apple Intelligence, Mac Pro M4 Ultra
What separates a $1,000 iPhone from a $3,500 one? About 7,000 miles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
36 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Smith drives in 4 runs, deGrom works 6 solid innings as Rangers beat Cardinals 8-1
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Josh Smith matched his career high of four RBIs with a two-run homer and two-run double, Jacob deGrom allowed two runs or fewer for the eighth straight start and the Texas Rangers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-1 Sunday. The Rangers (29-31) won two of three games against St. Louis and won a series for the first time since sweeping struggling Colorado at home May 12-14. The Cardinals (33-26) lost a series for just the second time in their last 11. Smith sliced an outside changeup into the left-field corner in the second inning, punctuating a two-out rally that began with Marcus Semien's single. Semien scored again in Texas' five-run eighth inning on Smith's homer to right. DeGrom (5-2) allowed one run on four hits and three walks in six innings, striking out four. Semien had two hits and two walks. The Cardinals led 1-0 in the first inning when Lars Nootbaar led off with a walk and scored on Willson Contreras' two-out single. Erick Fedde (3-5) gave up two runs on four hits in six innings, walking three and striking out five. The 32-year-old right-hander was looking for his first victory since shutting out Washington on May 9 in his first complete game in the majors. Key moment Semien's single starting the rally in the second was one of his seven hits in the series. That raised his batting average from .173 to .201 – his highest since opening day. Key stat The Cardinals' .333 all-time winning percentage against the Rangers in regular-season play (7-14) is their lowest against any opponent. They do own the 2011 Commissioner's Trophy, rallying from a 3-2 deficit in that World Series to win in seven games. Up next Cardinals RHP Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.23 ERA) will open the 'I-70 Series' against Kansas City on Tuesday. Rangers RHP Tyler Mahle (5-2, 1.64) will pitch Tuesday at Tampa Bay in the opener of a nine-game trip. ___ AP MLB:
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Nicolas Cage Thriller ‘The Surfer' Arrives On Streaming This Week
Nicolas Cage in "The Surfer." The Surfer — an acclaimed psychological thriller starring Nicolas Cage — is new on digital streaming this week. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, The Surfer opened in theaters in limited release on May 2. The official summary for the film reads, 'A man (Cage) returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son (Finn Little). But his desire to hit the waves is thwarted by a group of locals whose mantra is, 'Don't live here, don't surf here.' "Humiliated and angry, the man is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising in concert with the punishing heat of the summer and pushes him to his breaking point.' Rated R, The Surfer also stars Julian McMahon, Nic Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Alexander Bertrand and Justin Rosniak. The Surfer is expected to arrive on digital streaming via premium video on demand on Friday, June 6, per When to Stream. While the streaming tracker is typically accurate with its PVOD reports, it noted that The Surfer's studio, Roadside Attractions, and distributor, Lionsgate, have not announced or confirmed the release date of the film and it is subject to change. The Surfer will be available on such digital platforms as Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video and YouTube. The film will be available for digital purchase for $14.99 and since digital rentals are typically $5 less, viewers can expect to rent the film for $9.99 for 48 hours. In an interview with Nerdist prior to the release of The Surfer, Nicolas Cage said one of the elements of the film that piqued his interest was its unique story. 'When I read this script, I thought, 'Well, this is different. This is weird. This is the kind of story I aspire to write.' It was a non-linear narrative. I couldn't believe the whole thing took place on a beach in a parking lot. That was new,' Cage told Nerdist. 'And the more I do this, the more I want to find expressions in cinema that are unlike other things that we kind of become bored with. I wanted to find a new way of storytelling.' The Surfer has earned $1.3 million from North American theaters and more than $800,000 internationally for a worldwide box office tally of $2.1 million to date. Production budget information for The Surfer was not disclosed. The Surfer earned a collective 86% 'fresh' rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics based on 154 reviews. The RT Critics Consensus reads, 'Nicolas Cage expertly rides the waves of toxic masculinity in this sand-filled arena of torment.' Audiences on RT thought differently of The Surfer, though, giving the film a 'rotten' 46% Popcornmeter score based on 250-plus verified user ratings. The Surfer, starring Nicolas Cage, is expected to arrive on PVOD on Friday.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Woman killed in Ventura County, suspect remains at large
Authorities are searching for a suspect after a woman was found dead in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula. Deputies responded to a home in the 12000 block of Sisar Road at about 9:09 p.m. Saturday after receiving reports that a woman may have been murdered, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Upon arrival, deputies found a woman dead inside the home. Evidence recovered at the scene indicated that she was murdered, authorities said. The woman has been identified only as a 26-year-old resident of Santa Paula. Her name is yet to be released publicly. The sheriff's office didn't disclose how she was killed or what the evidence was that pointed toward the act being a homicide. The incident appeared to be isolated, authorities said, and the suspect remains outstanding as of Sunday afternoon. The sheriff's office is requesting that anyone with information contacts Detective Marco at 805-384-4739.
