While rumors out of the supply chain have claimed for a while that the next iPhone hardware will include a more durable build, a new video analyzing a purported iPhone 6S shell shows some expected and surprising differences in the updated casing compared to the one used by current iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models.
The thinner and larger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus launched to a bit of a controversy with ‘bendgate‘ becoming a meme as users questioned the new hardware design’s durability. If the new casing is indeed used on next month’s expected iPhone 6S hardware refresh, the shell will include added strength around the volume buttons where the current iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are believed to be weaker and susceptible to pressure.
Specifically, the back plate for the claimed iPhone 6S measured 138.2mm tall by 67.16mm wide while the current iPhone 6 casing comes in at 138.09mm tall by 66.91mm wide in the video comparison. While not noticeably different at first glance, the slight added dimensions have been rumored as an answer to last year’s bent iPhones controversy.
In the region where the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are especially believed to be weakest, around the volume and power buttons, the casing thickness is also bumped up between these two cases. The claimed iPhone 6S plating measures in at 1.90mm thick in this region while the existing iPhone 6 plate is 1.14mm thick in the same spot.
Finally, the video analysis shows that the updated back plate with taller, wider, and thicker dimensions is actually lighter on the scale when compared to the current back plate. The iPhone 6S casing weighed in at 25g compared to the iPhone 6 casing at 27g, although that lightness may not translate to the overall product being lighter as the expected Force Touch display could add some weight. This weight difference could be contributed by switching to a different grade of aluminum currently employed by Apple Watch Sport models as has been rumored.
Apple is expected to show off its new iPhone hardware next month around September 9th alongside an updated Apple TV and possibly new iPads.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSMUGGu7l-4&feature=youtu.be]
