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

Comments

        • BadHorse on 26/09/2014 - 16:43

          I retract my statement in that case, still not going to watch it though!

  • Octogenarian on 25/09/2014 - 20:03
    +1

    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.

    • 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?

    • ccrap on 28/09/2014 - 13:52
      +5

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

  • T1OOO on 25/09/2014 - 22:29

    They will offer a $3 firm unbendable case. Fixed.

  • BuyoTheCat on 25/09/2014 - 22:54

    hipsters skinny jean and iphone 6 do not mix.
    try baggy pants.

  • Twodogs on 25/09/2014 - 23:24

    What pocket are they putting the phone in to bend it ?

    • scrimshaw on 25/09/2014 - 23:47
      +3

      Breast pockets, all the people with bent iphones have Pamela Anderson Hitomi Tanaka sized breasts.

      • ProjectZero on 26/09/2014 - 09:50

        I actually lol at this so hard… time to find me a iphone 6+ user ;P

  • littleDealFish on 26/09/2014 - 00:18
    +1

    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…

  • Mik on 26/09/2014 - 09:40

    There is no Phone

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

    And the trolling begins.

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

  • hts on 26/09/2014 - 10:38
    +1

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

    • 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.

      • hts on 26/09/2014 - 11:50
        +1

        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.

        • 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! ;)

        • lplau on 26/09/2014 - 16:28

          Lol, even if there is a storm. It won't do anything. They will just give you a free $2 bumper with 2 reinforced steel bars so you cant bend it anymore.

          Antennagate was a widespread issue and the result was just a free bumper. No recalls at all.

        • imcold on 27/09/2014 - 18:53

          @lplau:

          Well reinforced steel may block the signal so enjoy lol Antennagate 2

    • Mike_Mav on 26/09/2014 - 17:15

      Anecdotally there have been very little iPhone 6 + order fulfilled. So the population will be a lot, lot lower.

  • lostn on 26/09/2014 - 13:58

    there's not going to be a recall. It isn't their fault people are putting it in their pockets. If you want an aluminium phone and you want it to get slightly thinner every year, this is the expected result. The phone also got bigger, making it easier to bend.

    When iPhone 4's antennas came loose, Apple said you're holding it wrong, and suggested buying a case. They arne't going to recall the phone, no way.

  • richmond12 on 26/09/2014 - 14:17
    -4

    Its iPhone 6 Plus that may 'bend'. Not iPhone 6.

    Get it right people.

  • stargalaxy on 26/09/2014 - 14:28
    +1

    Apple: Your phone is meant to be used, why do you put in your pocket? Use it and it will not bend.

  • striker5950 on 26/09/2014 - 15:33
    -4

    LOL @apple 'mod edited' riders negging away the awesome jokes that are poking fun at this obvious flaw

  • ostsee on 26/09/2014 - 16:08
    -3

    I found the bend problems back in 2010 when I was using iPhone4.

    Then I found that even iPhone 4S 5S still bend if you put into your pocket.

    • ATangk on 26/09/2014 - 22:32

      What have you been doing to get the iPhone4's to bend? Theyre pretty damn solid glass to me, tried to bend and failed. At least there is no permanent deformation.

    • BadHorse on 29/09/2014 - 10:44

      I have seen iPhone 4's that have been run over and still not bent. Although cracked glass in this case!

      I'm impressed you managed to bend yours?

  • DEvok on 26/09/2014 - 17:17
    -5

    This is why the case was invented people's, have the case on problem solved.

    • tyler.durden on 26/09/2014 - 23:20
      -1

      "The bottom line is that if you use enough force to bend an iPhone, or any phone, it's going to deform," Riccio said."

      He's got point there…
      except for one thing…
      other phones can bend back to their old self..
      whereas the iphone once bent does not go back to previous state..

      Also how much force is exerted when sitting down and in your pocket..

      So those people who claim that it occur from sitting is either lying, or it is true and force exerted while sitting down did indeed bend the phone…

  • altomic on 27/09/2014 - 09:49

    From Gizmodo Aus -

    Earlier today, we started hearing reports that a small sampling of iPhone 6 Plus owners have experienced a slight bend to their phone after putting the device in their front pockets. And now, here’s what appears to be video proof that — yep, this smartphone sure can bend. Although it sure takes some effort.

    Lou from Unbox Therapy puts the rumours to the test with his bare hands, and though it clearly takes quite a bit of force, he is able to give that handset one hell of an angle. The glass hangs in there, though, so it’s still functional. And while it’s clearly not something that will happen with normal use, the fact that it could happen at all is a bit concerning.

  • Fancy on 27/09/2014 - 15:02
    +1

    Apple's Bent iPhones Have Competition
    http://youtu.be/MHEmO-kRCSs

    iPhone 6 Plus: The Bend Uncut
    http://youtu.be/gJ3Ds6uf0Yg

  • jimbobaus on 27/09/2014 - 20:47

    sit on any phone thats in your back pocket for long enough.. it too will bend

    • McFly on 27/09/2014 - 23:16

      Assuming that's true… so?

  • y on 27/09/2014 - 21:39

    Apple has issued a statement:

    http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/business/anything-bends-i…

    • dji1111111 on 27/09/2014 - 22:31
      +3

      What a non-sense. Large phones have been out for years (just in case Apple users didn't realise) and this issue has never been raised with any other phones. Now that it becomes an issue because iPhone 6+ is rubbish, apparently any phone bends like this one if treated the same way. How come nobody ever mentioned this in relation to any other phone in the past???

  • dji1111111 on 27/09/2014 - 22:28
    +5

    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.

    • beaver2233 on 28/09/2014 - 12:03
      +1

      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.

  • McFly on 27/09/2014 - 23:39
    +1

    The owner of willitbend.com is sitting(!) on a gold mine!

    • syousef on 28/09/2014 - 00:08
      +1

      Shouldn't that be willibend.com? Both sound like porn site names though.

  • McFly on 27/09/2014 - 23:48
    +2

    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.

  • neonlight on 28/09/2014 - 08:21
    -1

    Lol it's no big deal why don't you book a genius get it replaced

  • smpantsonfire on 28/09/2014 - 16:51
    -2

    If it hasn't been posted, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0-3fIs2jQs

  • randomhero24 on 28/09/2014 - 18:59

    There have been 9 cases of this happening globally.

    Shut up.

  • pull the lever on 29/09/2014 - 09:20

    Introducing iPhone 6S+
    Now with added reinforcement.

  • smartazz104 on 29/09/2014 - 12:16
    +1

    I was speaking to a Vodafone CSR yesterday; no 6+ stock and he claimed that Apple has stopped 6+ shipments for the time being. He could be mistaken but seems like a very specific claim to make rather than just saying "we expect more stock in a few weeks"…

  • allyemil on 29/09/2014 - 12:23

    http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=785539460

    Beechwood iPhone 6 Repair Kit

    An essential for any iPhone 6 owner.

    Specially made to work with the thin design and aluminium casing. Roll your iPhone 6 easily and see the smooth result.

    • smartazz104 on 29/09/2014 - 12:24

      $17.95 for a roller, to expensive for OzB.

  • hangdog on 29/09/2014 - 13:21
    +1

    Consumer Reports has done some tests that debunk Bendgate.

    "All the phones we tested showed themselves to be pretty tough. The iPhone 6 Plus, the more robust of the new iPhones in our testing, started to deform when we reached 90 pounds of force, and came apart with 110 pounds of force. With those numbers, it slightly outperformed the HTC One (which is largely regarded as a sturdy, solid phone), as well as the smaller iPhone 6, yet underperformed some other smart phones.

    Throughout most of our test, the LG G3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 3 bent, then recovered completely from each step up in force. But at 130 pounds, the case of the G3 fractured. At 150 pounds of force, the Note 3's screen splintered and it stopped working."

    Bit of an "oops" moment for HTC USA, whose One M8 was more bendy than the iPhone 6 Plus despite their earlier gloating: "Designed to withstand the most demanding environments. Like your pockets. #HTCOneM8"

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

      • hangdog on 29/09/2014 - 14:10

        Cheers, I should've read the first page of the thread again. :)

    • c0balt on 30/09/2014 - 17:34

      The consumer report has come under fire from critics for using the same testing methods that Apple used, in that they forgot heat as a factor and the phones were subjected to a static weight in the weakest (middle) position. The consumer report tested devices always bent right through the middle from a lot of force- despite all pictures and reports from users on the internet showing the phones bending at the top or middle of the volume rocker from repeated small force when inside a pocket - not when turned off, allowed to cool down and then placed on a press.

      As most people know metal becomes more malleable with heat, and that phones can get pretty warm to the touch.

      Critics are arguing that the tests do nothing to recreate a real world situation of the phone bending whilst inside someone's pocket for a long period of time and repeated small bends rather than on a work bench with a hydraulic piston pressing the center of the phone until it breaks.

      People are also reporting all around the world that the 6+ is now hard to get a hold of. Yes this could be due to sales, but an equally plausible explanation (especially after current events) could be a silent recall has happened and this issue is being dealt with as we read.

      • RockyRaccoon on 30/09/2014 - 20:11

        c0balt

        Give up, you had your fun, grow up and move on… Its a non issue. Likewise the tests you originally linked to wasn't real world either. Who uses both thumbs to bend a phone……..

  • ozhunter on 30/09/2014 - 17:53

    Looks like Apple is sick of people bending their iPhones http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-News-Handy-Apple-boyco…

  • c64 on 01/10/2014 - 19:04
    +1

    be sure to order your pre-bent iphone 6 case! http://elitedaily.com/humor/pre-bent-case-iphone-6/779580/

  • imcold on 26/10/2014 - 00:07

    There is a new video on how to fix a bent iphone.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYo72E7ZMHM

    Someone got 2nd degree burns from a bent iphone 6 so this fix is crucial.

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