He grabbed an iPhone Air and pushed it to its limits. Nelson’s durability tests are infamous. If a phone is weak, his hands will find out fast. This time, the iPhone Air gave him a fight.
Source: JerryRigEverything
Ceramic Shield 2 holds up impressively
The video started with the usual scratch tests. Apple’s new Ceramic Shield 2 resisted damage even at level 7 on the Mohs scale. That’s a step ahead of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, which showed marks at level 6 earlier this year. Nelson even joked, “Apple ruined my line,” a nod to his long-running gag about predictable scratch levels.
However, Apple’s claims about reduced screen glare didn’t hold up as well. Under bright lights, the iPhone Air reflected more than expected. In side-by-side checks, Samsung’s older Galaxy S24 Ultra handled glare better.
Titanium frame proves its strength
Apple used a grade 5 titanium frame for the iPhone Air, promising more strength and flexibility than aluminum. During the first bend attempt, pushing from the back, the phone barely moved. Bending from the front caused a slight curve, but it snapped back straight.
Nelson was impressed. He said the phone “looked as straight as it was coming out of the box.” That elasticity helped the Air avoid permanent damage in normal bending.
Source: JerryRigEverything
216 pounds finally cracks the glass
Not ready to stop, Nelson used a crane scale to measure real pressure. He pressed directly on the center until the iPhone Air finally gave in—at a huge 216 pounds (about 98kg). The front glass cracked, and the frame flexed. Yet the back glass stayed intact, and the phone still worked.
For most users, this is reassuring. Sitting on your phone or stuffing it in a tight pocket won’t destroy it. Nelson even joked that your pants might tear before the Air does.
The iPhone Air may bend under extreme force, but it’s no Bendgate repeat. Apple’s thinnest phone is tough where it counts.