The iPhone 17 prioritizes durability, featuring enhanced materials and design to withstand daily wear and tear. Rigorous testing demonstrates its resilience against scratches, impacts, and general stress, making it a strong contender in the smartphone market.
Display Protection: Ceramic Shield
Scratch Resistance
The Ceramic Shield front glass offers impressive scratch resistance. In tests mirroring real-world conditions, the screen held up well against keys and other common abrasive materials. Like all glass, it’s not indestructible, so a screen protector is still a smart investment for maximum protection.
Front-Facing Camera and Dynamic Island
The same Ceramic Shield technology protects the front-facing camera and Dynamic Island, reducing the chance of scratches on these crucial components.
Back Panel Design and Resilience
The iPhone 17’s back panel uses a textured glass that improves grip and minimizes fingerprints. While it handles everyday wear well, contact with harder metals can still result in visible scratches. A case remains the best way to keep the back panel pristine.
Frame Durability: Anodized Aluminum
Lightweight Strength
The anodized aluminum frame provides a solid structure without adding excessive weight. Integrated antenna lines maintain signal strength while also contributing to the phone’s overall rigidity.
Bend Test Results
The frame shows some flexibility under pressure, but it’s engineered to avoid permanent bending or damage from typical use.
Camera Protection: Sapphire Lens Covers
The 48MP dual cameras benefit from sapphire lens covers, providing excellent scratch resistance. This ensures clear, high-quality images even after extended use in various environments.
Water Resistance: IP68 Rating
Submersion Capabilities
The iPhone 17’s IP68 rating means it can survive submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. Metal mesh coverings protect speaker and microphone openings without sacrificing audio quality.
Real-World Use
Whether you’re caught in the rain or accidentally drop your phone in a puddle, the IP68 rating offers peace of mind.
Connectivity: USB-C Port
Fast Charging and Longevity
The iPhone 17 features a USB-C port, enhancing both charging speed and port durability. Expect faster data transfer speeds and more reliable connections over time.
Charging Speed
The USB-C port allows for quick charging, reaching around 50% battery capacity in approximately 20 minutes with a compatible charger.
Display Quality and Heat Resistance
120Hz OLED Display
The 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth visuals for gaming and media consumption. High peak brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
Heat Resistance
The display is engineered to withstand high temperatures for short durations, showing full recovery after exposure, ensuring longevity and consistent performance.
Additional Protection: Reinforced Openings
Reinforced metal mesh coverings safeguard the speaker and microphone openings from dust and water ingress. These small details contribute to the overall resilience of the iPhone 17.