I Visited Apple's Secret iPhone Testing Labs!
0 up · 0 down · 0 ratings
Promos
Where 10,000 iPhones are built and destroyed before the first one ships The original thread: twitter.com MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: Logic logic.lnk.to Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD
The video opens with an exploration of Apple’s secret iPhone durability labs, revealing the meticulous testing that occurs before a model is announced. The host walks through the water resistance tests, explaining IP ratings and how they measure ingress protection for solids and liquids, highlighting the progression from IPX4 to IPX8 and the implications for real-world use. Viewers get a firsthand look at specialized equipment that simulates rain, high-pressure water jets, and even full submersion in sealed tanks to ensure devices survive the elements. The segment then shifts to the drop-testing setup, where a programmed industrial robot and ultra-fast Phantom cameras capture every impact on different surface materials, illustrating how design choices respond to real-world drop scenarios. Finally, the video delves into the vibration and shock testing, showing rows of devices on shaking trays and explaining that these tests simulate years of wear and tear in a controlled environment, tying the lab work back to product longevity and customer experience.
Topics · engineering · product design · technology · quality assurance
Questions answered
- What does IP rating indicate in iPhone water resistance testing and how do the numbers change?
- IP ratings indicate ingress protection against solids and liquids. The first digit (solids) and the second digit (liquids) rise as protection increases, with higher numbers meaning better protection, such as IP68 indicating protection against immersion in water beyond 1 meter.
- How many prototypes are typically tested before a final iPhone ships, according to the interview?
- Apple reportedly tests up to about 10,000 prototypes before a final model ships, reflecting extensive durability and reliability investigations.
- Why can durability improvements sometimes conflict with repairability in device design?
- Increasing durability often involves more seals, adhesives, and components that are harder to replace, which can reduce repairability; designers must balance longevity with maintainability, sometimes trading off ease of repair for greater durability.