The iPhone X is actually more durable than the iPhone 8

iphone x drop test
YouTube/JerryRigEverything

The iPhone X looks like it wants to break.

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After all, the common perception is that the prettier the device, the more fragile it is. 

Indeed, the iPhone X is a gorgeous device clad in glass. But the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are also clad in glass. With that logic, the iPhone X's durability should be pretty similar to the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, right?

Actually, it looks like the iPhone X is more durable than the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, at least according to these drop-test videos by EverythingApplePro, PhoneBuff, and JerryRigEverything

Check it out:

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Both the front and the back of the iPhone X survived three drop tests from waist-height in the EverythingApplePro YouTube channel's drop test.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/EverythingApplePro

And even from head height, the iPhone X's front and back survived three falls from three different angles.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/EverythingApplePro
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Filip of EverythingApplePro had some pretty great things to say about the iPhone X's durability based off his drop tests.

iphone x after drop tests
YouTube/EverythingApplePro

During the drop-test video, Filip seemed pretty amazed by the iPhone X's durability, saying the "iPhone X seems to be one of the most durable phones I have ever tested on a drop, it's incredible." He believes the stainless steel frame on the iPhone X has something to do with its surprising durability. 

And, of course, the glass on the iPhone X's front and back sustained no damage from a total of six drop tests from different angles; three from waist height, and three from head-height. 

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The iPhone 8 he was testing didn't do well compared to the iPhone X.

iphone 8 drop test
YouTube/EverythingApplePro

 

 

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In PhoneBuff's drop tests, the iPhone X didn't fare quite so well as EverythingApplePro's drop test. It showed a small crack on the back from a single waist-height drop, but the screen was fine.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/PhoneBuff

Still, it did way better than the iPhone 8 Plus in the same test.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/PhoneBuff
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Dropped from waist-height on its bottom edge, it seems that the iPhone X's stainless steel frame is more durable than the iPhone 8's aluminum frame.

iphone x drop test
iPhone 8 Plus on the left, iPhone X on the right. YouTube/PhoneBuff

Dropped directly on its front from waist-height, the iPhone X screen gets more significant damage.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/PhoneBuff
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Dropped from about shoulder-height, the iPhone X's display finally succumbed.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/PhoneBuff

It took three drops from about shoulder-height until the iPhone X's screen was totally shattered, and the bottom portion stopped responding to touch on the fifth drop. It meant that the iPhone X couldn't unlock with the "swipe up to unlock" gesture.

Zack from JerryRigEverythin dropped the iPhone X from knee-height, or about three feet, and it was "totally fine."

iphone x drop test
YouTube/JerryRigEverything
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The iPhone X survived two of Zack's knee-height drops, whereas the iPhone 8 Plus' back shattered on the second drop.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/JerryRigEverything

Zack dropped the iPhone X twice from about waist-height, and it got a nick in the glass on the second drop.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/JerryRigEverything

iphone x drop test

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Meanwhile, the iPhone 8 Plus' back shattered on the first waist-high drop.

iPhone 8 plus drop test
YouTube/JerryRigEverything

From chest-height, the iPhone X's back finally cracked, but the front was still fine.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/JerryRigEverything

iphone x drop test

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And from head-height, the iPhone X's front finally got a crack, but it's not so drastic.

iphone x drop test
YouTube/JerryRigEverything
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Overall, it looks like the iPhone X is actually more durable than the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

Several people have lamented that they've broken their new iPhone X within days, sometimes within hours, of using them. It may have caused the impression that the iPhone X is more fragile than any previous iPhones, but it's more likely that breaking the iPhone X causes a greater emotional effect due to its gorgeous design and high price tag. 

While the iPhone X may appear to be more durable than the iPhone 8 phones, it's still the most expensive to repair to date. With that in mind, you'd still do well to buy a good protective case if you're an iPhone X owner. 

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