Viral Photo of Bent iPhone Air Reignites ‘Bendgate’ Durability Concerns

A display unit at Fnac Alicante has been reported as visibly bent, raising questions regarding durability.

A photo of a bent iPhone Air on display at a Fnac store in Alicante, Spain, has gained traction on social media platforms like Reddit and X. The image shows the phone curving inward along one edge while still connected to a security mount. Notably, despite the deformation, the device’s screen remains functional. This incident has prompted various reactions online, with some users joking about the possibility of Apple launching a foldable phone.

Theories about the cause of the bending have emerged. Retail employees indicated that some customers attempt to bend demo units for social media videos. Additionally, some speculate that the security mount could be excessively tight and contributing to the bending, while others argue that it takes significant force to cause such damage.

Most industry experts believe that the bending is likely the result of deliberate stress rather than a design flaw. Tests indicate that the iPhone Air is built to withstand casual bending better than earlier models. Nonetheless, users are advised to handle their devices carefully to avoid similar occurrences.

Why it matters:

• This incident highlights the importance of device durability in consumer electronics, potentially influencing buyer decisions.
• Retailers may need to reinforce management protocols for demo units to prevent damage.

The latest:

• As of now, there are no reports of similar incidents with other iPhone Air units.