iPhone 14 seems to prove as durable as it is dissectible in a new drop test video
The first teardown videos for the iPhone 14 are now out there, and they contain indications that many right-to-repair or device-sustainability enthusiasts may find welcome. Apple's latest base-model mobile flagship has reverted to a design incorporating a "removable" rear glass panel.
This does not necessarily mean that it can be taken off on the fly, as with, say, the Nokia 8210. Instead, it entails a rear cover that can be pried off with relative ease in the event of a teardown thanks to clips rather than an inordinate amount of glue - something that cannot be said for its Pro Max sibling.
The panel also incorporates the 14's wireless charging coil and some other components such as microphones, in a manner not seen since the iPhone 4 series.
Therefore, it is strange that Apple did not herald this feature more during its debut, as it might have boosted the "planet-loving" point-count the Cupertino giant has been patently fishing for in the 14's design (with 100% of its gold and rare-earth requirements touted to have come from recycled sources).
In any case, PBKReviews has done some of its job for it in testing the (also IP68-rated) 14 for drop-resistance.
The vlogger's unit was dropped a total of 6 times onto a concrete surface from various heights onto either its front, back or sides; however, it apparently stayed on and fully functional throughout this ordeal, only perhaps losing some chips of paint or "beautifully durable" aluminium in the process.
On the other hand, its third-gen Ceramic Shield display did acquire a crack from the very first drop. Therefore, while the iPhone 14 might not lose the entirety of its back glass on hitting the ground, a case and screen protector might still be a great idea while ordering the device.
