Sep 23, 2019 - Technology

The iPhone 11 Pro is more durable than its predecessors

Ina Fried

A customer tries an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Photo by Li Muzi/Xinhua/Getty Images

For all the criticism that there isn't a whole lot new in this year's iPhones, Apple does seem to be scoring points for the areas it did focus on, namely the cameras and battery life. Add one more to the list of things it appears Apple got right: durability.

Why it matters: The price tag of high-end phones has climbed to $1,000 and up; even with insurance, a cracked screen can still be a costly slip-up.

Testing by Allstate-owned SquareTrade showed the iPhone 11 Pro to be particularly hearty, surviving the insurer's tumble test and doing pretty well in a test of water resistance. The iPhone 11 and Pro Max didn't fare quite as well as the smaller iPhone 11 Pro.

What they're saying: "After our robots dropped, dunked, tumbled and bent the devices, we found the new iPhone 11 Pro to be the most durable iPhone we've tested in generations," SquareTrade VP Jason Siciliano, vice president and global creative director at SquareTrade.

"It's the first smartphone to survive our tumble test, which simulates the effects of multiple, random impacts experienced by a smartphone during long-term use. That's a real achievement when it comes to durability," Siciliano said.

Yes, but: None of the new iPhones survived a drop on the sidewalk, whether dropped face-down or on their rear.

Be smart: Buy a case for that pricey phone. If you love its new color, buy a clear one.

Go deeper: Watch the video of the drops

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The iPhone 11 Pro is more durable than its predecessors

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