iPhone 17 Pro & 17 Air durability: diamond scratches and heavy point-load test
Tech youtuber JerryRigEverything (Zack Nelson) recently published durability tests on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air. He runs standard scratch (including diamond/knife) tests and heavy structural tests that simulate large point loads and bending.
Quick summary
- iPhone 17 Pro: Survived heavy bend/point-load testing with no measurable flex, cracks, or structural failure. However, the front/back surfaces and anodized edges show visible scratches and chips under diamond/knife tests.
- iPhone 17 Air: Also showed surprising durability for its class in scratch tests and general handling, though fewer heavy-load specifics were recorded.
What was tested
Nelson performed:
- Diamond and knife scratch tests to check surface hardness and scratch resistance.
- Heavy point-load and bend tests to evaluate frame and structural rigidity.
Key results & takeaways
- The iPhone 17 Pro appears very rigid and well-built against bending or heavy localized pressure.
- Surface materials (glass/ceramic shield and anodized edges) remain prone to scratches and chips when exposed to sharp/dense abrasives.
- If you prioritize structural rigidity, the 17 Pro shows improvements; if you prioritize scratch resistance, consider a screen protector and case.
Watch the tests
Primary video: JerryRigEverything — iPhone 17 Pro durability test
Other related videos on the channel: iPhone 17 Pro scratch coverage and iPhone 17 Air durability test.
Buy / more info
Search iPhone 17 Pro on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=iPhone+17+Pro&tag=f1rede-20
Official Apple product page: https://www.apple.com/iphone/
Discussion
Did the results change your view on the iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Air? Share your thoughts and any experience with case/screen protector choices in the comments.
Sources: JerryRigEverything YouTube channel tests and public video uploads. No content linked from iphone-ticker.de was included.