iPhone 6's Bending out of Shape - Serious Hardware Recall Imminent?

c0balt on 24/09/2014 - 13:41
Last edited 24/09/2014 - 13:42

Some of you have probably seen the articles this morning relating to the many people who have the iPhone 6 Plus have found their phones to been severely and permanently bent out of shape whilst in their pocket after normal use.

I don't think this fault can be something Apple could weasel out of fixing (product recall + all existing stock will be needed to get fixed) as there's now so many videos and articles surfacing of people experiencing it after normal use, and being able to bend the phone out of shape with hardly any force with their bare hands (unbent phones).

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/09/and-heres-a-guy-bending-an…
www.macrumors.com/2014/09/23/iphone-6-plus-bending-pockets/
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/bendgate-apple…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xmIBnOXo9E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPYpaYRkSqc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQSZEPo5K7Q

Has anyone here experienced this with their new iPhone 6?

Should shareholders be worried about what this could cost the company??

Mobile Apple Mobile Phone

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  • GnarlyKnuckles on 24/09/2014 - 13:51

    I reckon it's meant to be like that; it's a new feature. Like Memory-Foam, it "molds to the contours of your body". But in this case, it's "Memory Phone". I wonder just how flexible they actually are. Could you perhaps, for example, sculpt your phone into fun shapes, like a pac-man-ghost, or a teddy-bear?

    • 105
    • RockyRaccoon on 28/09/2014 - 01:05

      Now for something sane…..

      http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/09/consumer-rep…

      ….While nothing is (evidentally) indestructible, we expect that any of these phones should stand up to typical use.

      Results of Consumer Reports smart phone bend test
      Deformation…….Case separation

      HTC One (M8) 70 pounds 90 pounds
      Apple iPhone 6 70 pounds 100 pounds
      Apple iPhone 6 Plus 90 pounds 110 pounds
      LG G3 130 pounds 130 pounds
      Apple iPhone 5 130 pounds 150 pounds
      Samsung Galaxy Note3 150 pounds 150 pounds

      NO recall demand here by consumer reports, so looks like the OP misses out - sorry
      For reference, they also say

      What does 55 pounds mean in context? Using our Instron, we found that it's approximately the force required to break three pencils.

      • 1
      • ozhunter on 28/09/2014 - 04:35

        Still looks easy to bend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ3Ds6uf0Yg

        • 0
        • RockyRaccoon on 28/09/2014 - 12:10

          Actually the funniest comment is that by HTC

          Designed to withstand the most demanding environments. Like your pockets. #HTCOneM8

          — HTC USA (@HTCUSA) September 24, 2014

          Considering the HTC bent/split apart first out of the 5 tested…..

          Plus their phone is thicker….

          Guess like some here, HTC should have just waited a little before racing off half cocked..

          • 1
    • netsurfer on 26/09/2014 - 12:52

      You are putting your phone in your pocket wrong. However, maybe Apple will provide a free bumper case for you. Reminds me of iPhone 4.

      Joke aside, people still want iPhone 6/6+s. The other issue is the camera white balance and slightly more chromatic aberration issue (potentially iOS 8 issue).

      • 0
      • Tuttorix on 25/09/2014 - 08:37

        I THINK that person MIGHT be making a joke @eXtremist…

        • 8
  • rapoot6 on 24/09/2014 - 14:43

    Not to worry. They will fix it with a magical firmware upgrade

    • 54
    • scrimshaw on 24/09/2014 - 15:59

      You're holding pocketing it wrong!

      • 26
      • ozscharfschutze on 25/09/2014 - 23:13

        You need looser chinos!

        • 2
        • striker5950 on 26/09/2014 - 10:47

          Iphone 6 will have a great impact on the death of skinny jeans

          • 4
    • toristo on 24/09/2014 - 19:26

      Er, I think this is more of a 'soft'ware issue.

      • 18
    • No ONE on 25/09/2014 - 22:45

      Like a magical microwave charging update… lol

      • 3
    • GnarlyKnuckles on 24/09/2014 - 17:02

      "They will fix it with a magical firmware upgrade…"

      Hilarious hombre!!! Best one-liner I've read on here for a while! Please post more often.

      EDIT: Believe it or not, I was actually being serious (not sarcastic); I genuinely found the above post about firmware hilarious. So hold off on the negs… unless of course it's slack-jawed apple-folk doing the negging…

      • 2
      • smartazz104 on 25/09/2014 - 22:52

        Well if you "genuinely found the above post about firmware hilarious", I wouldn't call others "slack-jawed"…

        • 0
    • Dave1988 on 25/09/2014 - 22:25

      even that is failing http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/apple-releases-ios-8-0-1-a-week-…

      • 1
      • striker5950 on 26/09/2014 - 10:48

        My third gen ipad slowed down to shit after ios 8 update, i wish i could go back to previous

        • 1
    • tomwood on 25/09/2014 - 08:50

      spoke too soon!

      • 0
  • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2014 - 17:22

    Can't wait to see Samsung's next TV commercial.

    • 30
    • msmhw on 26/09/2014 - 16:21

      Not sure if it's official or not but here we go
      http://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/81226/25489/image.jpg

      • 10
      • superm86 on 02/10/2014 - 16:39

        Awesome!
        I guess Apple can say keep changing sides while placing in pocket daily - phone will come back to normal shape :)

        • 0
    • BadHorse on 25/09/2014 - 20:19

      I usually detest seeing those video die to lack to imagination, then I saw Apple 'Bigger than Bigger' tagline and now i've lowered my expectations…

      • 0
    • massafiri on 26/09/2014 - 17:59

      Samsung is like the fat schoolyard bully. They will pick on everyone else's flaws just to divert attention from their own.

      Sad that businesses have to resort to that type of advertising just to get noticed.

      • -4
      • taqi on 28/09/2014 - 03:41

        isnt that exactly what apple did with the "I'm a Mac/I'm a PC" ads? Also samsung doesnt "just" get noticed…and the notice they do get isn't because of those ads.

        • 3
        • arislan on 27/10/2014 - 12:02

          So? Its not Apple or Samsung here.. they are both alike although Apple pioneered it, Samsung is just like em.

          • 0
  • rdaun on 24/09/2014 - 16:04

    Hey, at least it's a feature that the Nexus 4 does not have :P

    • 24
  • tvsharsha on 24/09/2014 - 20:34

    Just to make sure the phone stays in shape, it's best to leave the phone home when going out and about.

    • 22
  • Annoying Source on 24/09/2014 - 16:07

    Poeple Might find this interesting

    Iphone 6 bends quite easily with a small amount of pressure as seen here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znK652H6yQM

    Note 3 stands up to the same amount of pressure and then some but survives with the tiniest bend as seen here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwM4ypi3at0

    • 15
    • oringal on 24/09/2014 - 20:56

      its like apple didnt even bother trying with and quality assurance testing… e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPMZz5O9CeI

      • 7
      • StewBalls on 24/09/2014 - 22:53

        Too many visioneers, not enough engineers it would seem…

        • 9
        • ankor on 25/09/2014 - 10:42

          If it's like any company ever, then there's a long paper trail of engineers or designers not listening to each other- content in their own silos.

          • 1
        • zeomega on 27/09/2014 - 01:00

          @ankor:

          More like no one listening to the engineer's advice till shit hits the fan.

          Source: I'm an engineer…… annnnddddd….I'm covered in shit.

          • 0
    • c0balt on 24/09/2014 - 16:22

      Great link and pretty definitive conclusion.

      It's definitely a hardware fault that would require a recall program.

      • 3
    • Ethereal Winter on 24/09/2014 - 16:45

      I dunno it look like he put a lot of force into that, and I'm pretty sure my Nexus 5 would snap if I put that amount force like that.

      • 0
      • StewBalls on 24/09/2014 - 22:55

        It looked like he put a lot more force into the Note 3, and the result really surprised me, I expected a similar result to the iP6…chalk one up to the power of plastic, eh! ;)

        • 8
        • Tuttorix on 25/09/2014 - 21:02

          It's not per say the plastic, it's the TYPE of plastic and the frame of the phone. It's similar to the Galaxy S5 build and so basically the Samsung Galaxy Series are SERIOUS durability phones. If you want crazy ass durability, just go with Nokia. No matter how new the phone they release, it's still pretty damn durable including the Lumia Series.

          • 3
        • StewBalls on 25/09/2014 - 21:08

          @DAOtmc: That's good to hear, my Lumia 920 is en-route as we speak! :)

          • 2
    • ATangk on 24/09/2014 - 23:24

      Does anyone know if there is a similar issue in the original iphone 6? Everyone mentions that the iphone 6 is bending but exclusively refer to the 6plus.

      • 0
      • Woodyg22 on 24/09/2014 - 23:29

        Longer phone so more leverage making the plus easier and more likely to bend. Assuming they are built the same could happen to both, just not as easily for the 4.7", or not as easily for the Note 3..

        • 1
    • cameldownunder on 25/09/2014 - 14:05

      His hand are shaking. Obviously he puts a lot of effort into that bending.

      • 0
  • ilostnemo on 24/09/2014 - 16:40

    With Apple support, the way it is , the people who encounter it, will be swapped for a new phone. Are these people putting their phones in their back pocket. I doubt they would recall, they never recalled when the 4 had antenna issues, just released a free bumper.

    If it becomes very widespread, then they'll recall.

    If sony or Samsung produce a phone that bends, Apple will sue for copyright

    • 14
    • lplau on 24/09/2014 - 17:01

      The antenna issue was wide spread. They just blamed it on the customer using the device incorrectly. Then they say they are the saviour and give you a free bumper.

      It was such a bad issue that they even fired the guy who designed it. Soon we may see the guy who designed the iPhone 6Plus being fired.

      • 1
      • scrimshaw on 24/09/2014 - 17:19

        Perhaps this time Apple will give away slim cases with a hardened alloy to for IP6+ owners.

        • 1
    • Teal on 25/09/2014 - 12:07

      LG had it first though , a legit one too .
      I think it's called the LG flex?

      • 0
      • Tuttorix on 25/09/2014 - 21:03

        Yeah it's the LG G-Flex.

        • 0
  • lplau on 24/09/2014 - 16:59

    From past experiences with Apple, especially the antennagate issue. They won't refund you, they may offer you a case so it prevents it from happening.

    I'm going to say this before Tim Cook says it: "The Apple iPhone 6Plus isn't defective nor is it badly designed. It is you (THE CUSTOMERS) storing the phone incorrectly.

    Apple Fanbois will suck it up and live with it, something only apple can pull off. It off was a windows phone people would have ripped them a new hole.

    • 13
    • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2014 - 17:20

      Exactly. And then for their next iPhone, they will make some durability changes to address this, and claim it as a revolutionary new advancement… like they presented the iPhone 4S antenna.

      • 3
  • captobvious on 24/09/2014 - 18:27

    Oh how conveniently bent. You can now Boomerang it back to apple.

    • 12
  • bigticket on 25/09/2014 - 14:22

    Seriously guys, the basics of any design process that needs to considered is normal use of their product out in the field. That's why in the T&C's of warranties there are clauses that only cover normal use and not uses for which the product not intended for.

    I assume that apple knows that iphones are going to end up in customers pockets. Then its clear cut that the structural design is flawed especially when you consider that bending is occurring around the volume buttons and the sim card slot. This is where the the aluminium frame has cutouts reducing the rigidity of the phone.

    Metals have an elastic limit that obeys Hooke's Law, that is, it returns to its original shape. When you pass that limit plastic deformation occurs i.e. bend phone. Generally most designs do not reach this limit and include a considerable safety factor, otherwise buildings and bridges would be collapsing all around us. This seems as major engineering blunder but I'm sure apple will weasel out of out their responsibility going by the handling of other iphone issues.

    Do you think the apple engineers mistakenly forgot to factor in the cutouts in their testing?

    • 11
    • cantstanzya on 25/09/2014 - 14:38

      Do you think the apple engineers mistakenly forgot to factor in the cutouts in their testing?

      Of course not. It's been confirmed as a feature

      • 0
      • djones145 on 25/09/2014 - 14:40

        fake, if it was called iFlex that might be more believable!

        • -1
  • AlexD on 25/09/2014 - 12:20

    All jokes aside (and as an iPhone 6 Plus owner), it definitely makes me feel more wary when I put the phone in my pocket.

    While I know people will comment about there being no wrong way to place an Android phone in your pocket, I have always placed my iPhones with the screen facing my leg, and I didn't just start doing that with the latest device. I put mine on a flat surface this morning, and there were no issues whatsoever. I feel this probably helps, as all of the bending I've seen has resulted in what looks like convex screen bending.

    As far as this whole iOS vs Android thing goes, I don't quite understand it - I use Apple because the OS is accessible (for me, I know this is entirely subjective), it works brilliantly with any car stereo/dock/media interface, unlike a lot of Android phones, and, while the hardware isn't always as strong as Android devices spec-wise, I have nothing to complain about as far as speed goes - everything loads instantly, games don't look choppy, etc.

    Why all the hostility? Are you so insecure about your Apple/Android purchases that you have to explain to everyone else why the $1000 (or less for most Android users) that they spent is wrong, and why your decision is objectively better?

    • 9
    • Eivad on 25/09/2014 - 13:42

      On this forum, people will neg you if you show any support towards iPhones. You have to be on the latest craze, whether it's the Nexus, LG, Moto, etc, else you will be negged.

      I own an iPhone and a HTC, and each has its own benefits. Purchasing an iPhone does not automatically make someone a sheep.

      • 3
      • lplau on 25/09/2014 - 15:34

        Its a stereotype.
        People who own iPhones are more obedient and loyal.

        Sorta when Steve told all their customers that they were holding the iPhone incorrectly which caused the Antennagate issues. Only Apple could pull that off without all their sheeps getting pissed off.

        If any other company had this issue, there will be blood! even more blood if the company attmepted to flip this on the customer telling them that they are the issue not the device.

        • 1
        • smartazz104 on 25/09/2014 - 23:00

          People have the wool pulled over their eyes every day but get angry at the most insignificant things…

          • 0
    • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2014 - 12:24

      You should be happy about your extra added feature: iFlex. Noone is being hostile. At least it's an upgrade over the Nexus 4.

      • 1
      • AlexD on 25/09/2014 - 12:36

        Maybe hostile isn't necessarily the exact word for it, but all the posts that don't make fun of iPhones are negged.

        I was trying to give my 2c worth as an owner of the affected device, and I get an instant -1, and a joke about the bending issues being discussed in the thread.

        • 1
    • hangdog on 25/09/2014 - 18:18

      Yeah, some people on this forum seem to turn into YouTube commenters everytime a post about Apple comes up.
      Just for the record, "Antennagate" was as much a blow-up as this latest brainless pile-on about bending:
      http://dontholditwrong.tumblr.com

      • -1
  • DrStinge on 25/09/2014 - 10:51

    The fact that this phone costs $1000 for the base model is a joke - there is plenty of better alternatives that are significantly cheaper, stronger, nearly as thin, have better cameras and have almost double the battery life.

    • 5
    • NosDan on 25/09/2014 - 11:23

      there is plenty of better alternatives that are significantly cheaper, stronger, nearly as thin, have better cameras and have almost double the battery life.

      i dont care, i want an ifone

      • 6
    • pointblank on 26/09/2014 - 08:03

      It's crazy, I wanted the iphone but got the oneplus one because I couldn't justify spending that much money on a phone. The crazy thing is that Samsung is starting to sell at a premium price as well! Apparently the note 4 is only $50 cheaper than the iphone 6plus! I guess that Samsung has realised that the Chinese are going to take top spot in regards to mid and low level handsets (or even high spec handsets like the oneplus one) and they can't compete so they're trying to go premium. I don't think it will work out for Samsung though.

      • 2
    • aboabo on 25/09/2014 - 12:05

      Indeed. Even the iPhone 10 was stronger;

      http://www.techstation.it/uploads/news/iphone-5-le-parodie-c…

      • 0
  • dji1111111 on 27/09/2014 - 22:28

    Apple fanboys are funny. Prior to iPhone 6, they argued that iPhones are so wonderful and well built because they are made of metal and not rubbish plastic. Now that iPhone 6+ is bending, they say it can't be helped because it's made of metal and so thin.

    If they don't recall this and people still continue to buy this defective product, I guess nothing will save these idiots.

    • 5
    • beaver2233 on 28/09/2014 - 12:03

      It has been like this for many years haha. Even the whole ”OMG your phone is so big, that's so stupid. iPhones are a way better size”…iPhone 6 and 6+ release and they sell record numbers. K.

      • 1
  • StewBalls on 24/09/2014 - 22:47

    Hmmm, the case against skinny jeans just got stronger…

    • 4
  • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2014 - 09:57

    And the trolling begins.

    http://www.androidauthority.com/htc-samsung-lg-bendgate-530286/

    • 4
  • Windows98 on 25/09/2014 - 17:50

    $1000 phone. Aluminium body, no chassis to keep it safe
    No wonder it's so thin and light. Idiots.

    • 3
  • Brianqpr on 25/09/2014 - 09:28

    Sheep don't even have pockets do they?

    • 2
    • NosDan on 25/09/2014 - 11:18

      these are the "new and improved" isheep with skinny jeans and bent ifones

      • 2
      • Roman Sandstorm on 25/09/2014 - 16:18

        Aha!

        Perhaps we need an equivalent to Godwin's Law for Apple products.

        "Any sufficiently lengthy discussion thread regarding any Apple product will ultimately lead to a reference to 'isheep'".

        I call this the Sandstorm Axiom.

        • 1
    • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2014 - 16:16

      Don't baa and text!

      • 1
  • McFly on 27/09/2014 - 23:48

    www.hml.queensu.ca/paperphone

    PaperPhone is best described as a flexible iPhone 6+ (lol just kidding, I put in the '6+')
    Everything is going to look and feel like this within five years

    That was three years ago, so the fanbois are right - Apple as always are just ahead of the ahem curve.

    • 2
  • burningrage on 24/09/2014 - 20:05

    Oh my… I can guess Samsung's next ads going to be…

    • 1
  • ilostnemo on 24/09/2014 - 20:44

    I think cobalt is shorting AAPL shares.

    • 1
  • badg3rz on 24/09/2014 - 21:12

    Maybe crApple already have their next model in the making - the iPhone 6 + s.

    Isnt that how they fix their mistakes by releasing the same model of phone a few months later with one or two better features (unbendable) and adding a 's' to the end. That makes more money for them.

    • 1
    • syousef on 27/09/2014 - 23:58

      Isnt that how they fix their mistakes by releasing the same model of phone a few months later with one or two better features (unbendable) and adding a 's' to the end. That makes more money for them.

      No that's how the introduce new flaws.

      • 0
    • Flying Ace on 26/09/2014 - 17:01

      crApple. Think of that all by yourself did you? Clever boy.

      • -2
  • Hotpotcorn on 24/09/2014 - 23:50

    not changing my mind trying to reserve a iphone 6+ on reservation…. they are gone in minutes… i need to be quick reserving one

    • 1
  • Cluster on 24/09/2014 - 23:51

    Time for Apple to upgrade the casing to titanium. Aluminium is very passe.

    • 1
    • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2014 - 00:45

      Titanium is 700% more expensive but only about 65% more rigid. The solution to this problem (if it is a problem) is flexible phones.

      • 1
  • dbun1 on 25/09/2014 - 01:04

    You are delusional if you think Apple will issue a recall.
    Won't happen.

    • 1
  • pull the lever on 25/09/2014 - 16:15

    Missing the sturdy design of the iPhone 4 immediately.

    • 1
    • tyler.durden on 25/09/2014 - 16:57

      in the quest for thinner..

      it's what happen when there is no more metal frame..like iphone 4

      you loose strength

      the weakness is around the volume button since there is less metal

      • 0
    • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2014 - 02:15

      I'm still using a 4.

      Ultimate tightarse bonus points for me!

      • 0
  • imcold on 25/09/2014 - 16:29

    I believe you can fix it with an app.. There Is an App for That.

    All the app does it remind you to flip your phone over in your pocket once every 3 hours, so it bends back the other way.

    Each time you put a force on your iphone 6+ even a tiny force, it will be bend a micro-arc. Do it enough times it will add up to a whole degree. If you flip your phone over it will bend back the other way.

    Whoever release such an app will have millions of adoring users.

    • 1
    • Azn310 on 25/09/2014 - 22:43

      Or just use the sandwich press every morning while preparing your breakfast

      • 0
  • Octogenarian on 25/09/2014 - 20:03

    Lucky I am 80 years old and have a flat butt ! No chance to bend my iPhone 6+ when carrying it in my back pocket.

    • 1
    • ccrap on 28/09/2014 - 13:52

      I salute you for being a tech savvy 80 year old who also happens to use OzBargain!

      • 5
    • umoddbro on 25/09/2014 - 20:17

      No one carries their phones in the back pocket.. Why would you want to be sitting on your phone?

      • 0
  • littleDealFish on 26/09/2014 - 00:18

    I think Apple were just lucky to have a great product at the time when smartphones really caught on - in my experience, and i feel like many others - my first real smart phone was an iphone 4 (yes i was a late adopter, too stingy to spend a lot of money - i had a $50 nokia for yearrrrrs). My housemate at the time had a really crappy HTC and it just reaffirmed my belief that the $$$ were well spent with Apple.

    Well fast forward a few years and i am even happier with my nexus 5 - cheap but beautiful quality, speedy, big screen, android os kicks the pants of ios (widgets are amazing!!!!).

    Why did i change? it was cost vs fear (stinge in me won out lol) - it was so ingrained in me that i would lose the reliability and stability of my iphone that it wasn't until changing the screen 3 times on the newer iphone 4s, tearing my hair out at itunes and throwing my third party charge cords in the bin that i went (profanity) IT! best decision ever :P

    You'll get a free case for your iphone 6 case but I wouldn't expect much more to be honest! I had one of the early macbook 2008 and the casing reminds me exactly of the casing of the iphone 6. My old macbook got dents in it from just being in my bag with text books…

    • 1
  • hts on 26/09/2014 - 10:38

    Apple official states only 9 people have contacted them regarding this. So, to them, 9 out of 10 million is not a recall problem…

    • 1
    • imcold on 26/09/2014 - 11:36

      yeah if this can happen in 2 weeks under regular use, So how exactly is this phone going to last 2 years for most people.

      The 9 are just the beginning.

      • 0
      • hts on 26/09/2014 - 11:50

        Once they receive more complaints, I'm sure they will do something. All I'm saying is at the moment it seems to be a storm in a tea cup and if there really is a wide spread problem, affected users should complain to Apple directly instead of various websites as that will not give Apple the numbers it needs to respond effectively. For all I know, the pictures and reports of bent through normal use iPhones could all be the same story, but if it is indeed a widespread problem Apple will respond accordingly but until that time there is nothing that can be done really.

        • 1
        • StewBalls on 26/09/2014 - 13:14

          affected users should complain to Apple directly instead of various websites

          No way, that's depriving the world of perfectly good jokes & much needed memes! ;)

          • 0
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