Apple’s Testing Labs Focus on Enhancing Device Longevity and Value for Consumers

Apple is increasingly transparent about its product durability testing, inviting industry experts and select YouTubers to showcase how the company balances design, durability, and repairability across its devices. This move comes as a response to content creators who intentionally damage Apple products for sensationalized video views. By allowing credible figures into its testing facilities, Apple aims to provide assurance that it takes durability seriously. Among the participants in these recent tours was Counterpoint Research, which observed various factors contributing to the widespread appeal of the iPhone.

One important aspect is that users who maintain their devices can often pass them down when upgrading. Apple’s testing facilities simulate extreme conditions, using methods like liquid exposure, high-intensity light, and drop testing to recreate potential challenges. During the tour, Counterpoint witnessed salt exposure tests that lasted up to 100 hours and experiments analyzing the effects of fine desert dust on device components. Even for products like AirPods, tests included artificial versions of sweat and earwax.

Notably, drops account for a significant portion of smartphone repairs, making protective cases essential to safeguarding the devices. To enhance its testing methods, Apple has developed robots capable of dropping devices at varying angles and on different surfaces. This rigorous approach includes vibration testing and thorough analysis by Apple engineers. Reports indicate that about 60 percent of iPhone and Android users experience their devices functioning normally over time, with a small percentage reporting superficial damage.

Counterpoint’s findings reveal Apple’s significant efforts to improve product durability, leading to iPhones retaining about 40 percent more value compared to Android devices in the refurbished market. With over 200 testing facilities dedicated to quality assurance, Apple’s commitment to durability remains robust, even as durability and repairability sometimes compete with one another.