Don’t drop your iPhone 14, the latest drop tests warn

A new iPhone family always means a new set of drop tests, and Allstate Protectoin Plans is out of the gate with its own, warning iPhone 14 family owners not to drop their devices, but suggesting repair may be a little cheaper if they do. (Or get a case).

Please don’t drop your iPhone

“The new iPhone 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max shattered on the first drop front and back, though they were still fully functional, including their amazing new cameras,” said Jason Siciliano, vice president and global creative director at Allstate Protection Plans.

“The iPhone 14 Plus is a leap forward when it comes to repairability. Both iPhone 14 and 14 Plus come with removable back panels, making them easier and less expensive to repair. Apple should be applauded for this upgrade, as it’s great for their customer’s wallets and the environment.

“That said, the heavier iPhone 14 Pro Max is still easily damaged when dropped and expensive to repair. Which is why we always recommend owners add a case, screen protector, and consider a protection plan.”

So, you have been warned.

What they did

The company put its iPhones through a series of robotic drop tests, it found both the iPhone 14 Plus and heavier iPhone 14 Pro Max are still prone to significant damage when dropped face-down and back-down, though the iPhone 14 Plus survived being dropped downstairs on its aluminum side and was virtually undamaged.

Now you get to watch a video of iPhone 14’s being dropped.

What they found

All four models come with Ceramic Shield front panels and glass back panels. The 14 and 14 Plus feature an aluminum flat-side design while the 14 Pro and Pro Max feature a stainless-steel flat-side design. The 14 and 14 Plus now also come with removable back panels, making them easier and less expensive to replace when damaged.

From the company:

• Sidewalk Face-down Drop Tests: When dropped face-down from six feet, iPhone 14 Pro Max shattered with bullseye cracks appearing along one side and through a corner. iPhone 14 Plus also suffered bullseye cracks along one side and through a corner in addition to having loose glass, making it difficult to handle with bare hands.
• Sidewalk Back-down Drop Tests: When dropped back-down from six feet, iPhone 14 Pro Max suffered catastrophic damage. While the camera still functioned, the glass back was completely shattered including chunks of missing glass around its large camera housing. The iPhone 14 Plus again suffered bullseye cracks along one side and through a corner, in addition to raised glass and damage to its camera housing.
• Staircase Side-down Drop Tests: When dropped side-down from six feet onto a paved outdoor staircase, a difficult test for any device, iPhone 14 Pro Max suffered a cracked back panel, scuffed corners, dented buttons, and damage to its camera housing. However, it functioned normally, and the camera still operated without issue. The iPhone 14 Plus aerospace-grade aluminum flat-side design was especially impressive, surviving its stairs drop with only minor scuffing on its corners.

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