iPhone 8 Specs News: Durability Test Dismisses Many People's Fear of All-Glass Covers
One of the major changes applied to all the iPhones announced last Sept. 12 was the inclusion of an all-glass casing both on the front and back sides. However, it has led many to fear that the new smartphones could be susceptible to scratches.
However, in a recent durability test carried out by the popular YouTube channel JerryRigEverything, it is safe to say that the iPhone 8 measures up to the expectation that Apple has built up around glass.
To see if the iPhone 8's glass casing lived up to Apple's advertisements, YouTuber JerryRigEverything said: "There's literally only one way to find out." And with that, he meant subjecting his brand-new iPhone 8 to a series of harsh scratch durability tests.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
For the test, JerryRigEverything used a matrix of scratch durability with levels from 1 to 9. The levels were based on the hardness of the different types of picks he uses and measure at what point does a screen gets scratched. These picks have different mineral compositions.
He added that a simple plastic smartphone screen would attain scratches at level 3. However, panels made with real sapphire would only be damaged at level 9.
In the said test, the scratches on the iPhone 8 were only visible at level 6. But "deeper grooves" were seen at level 7. JerryRigEverything pointed out that this was the same level that the iPhone 7's screen was scratched.
While the iPhone 8's performance at the scratch stress test was not bad, the YouTuber emphasized that real sapphire-made glass screens would only scratch at a level 9.
On a positive note, the iPhone 8 screen remained smooth even after being scratched with coins, a razor blade, and keys. This also means that the home button and front camera – both protected by the sheet of glass on iPhone 8 – cannot be scratched by these types of materials as well. Thus they are practically safe even when mixed with other items in the user's purse or pocket.
The back side of the iPhone 8 was protected with the same type of glass panel.
JerryRigEverything also pointed out that since the Apple logo and markings on the back were under the glass, they were less likely to wear out compared to iPhones with metal casings.
Meanwhile, Apple also claimed that the rear-side camera was protected by a sapphire-grade glass. However, when JerryRigEverything tested it with his level 6 pick, the camera cover attained a good amount of scratches.
According to the YouTuber, this suggested that Apple has used their "own proprietary blend of sapphire" that is actually composed of aluminum oxide and not "pure sapphire."
