Allstate Protection Plans Finds the New Apple iPhone 14 Still Prone to Damage When Dropped, but Some Models are Now Much Easier to Repair

Now that all models in the iPhone 14 lineup are available for purchase, Allstate Protection Plans put the two largest, iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Plus, through their Breakability Drop Test to see if they are more or less durable than previous iPhones. Conducting a series of robotic drop tests, it found both the iPhone 14 Plus and heavier iPhone 14 Pro Max are still prone to significant damage when dropped face-down and back-down, though the iPhone 14 Plus survived being dropped downstairs on its aluminum side and was virtually undamaged.

All four models come with Ceramic Shield front panels and glass back panels. The 14 and 14 Plus feature an aluminum flat-side design while the 14 Pro and Pro Max feature a stainless-steel flat-side design. The 14 and 14 Plus now also come with removable back panels, making them easier and less expensive to replace when damaged. This is a big step forward for repairability and something the Allstate Protection Plans team was excited to see.

The full Breakability Drop Test video can be found here and reveals:

• Sidewalk Face-down Drop Tests: When dropped face-down from six feet, iPhone 14 Pro Max shattered with bullseye cracks appearing along one side and through a corner. iPhone 14 Plus also suffered bullseye cracks along one side and through a corner in addition to having loose glass, making it difficult to handle with bare hands. 
• Sidewalk Back-down Drop Tests: When dropped back-down from six feet, iPhone 14 Pro Max suffered catastrophic damage. While the camera still functioned, the glass back was completely shattered including chunks of missing glass around its large camera housing. The iPhone 14 Plus again suffered bullseye cracks along one side and through a corner, in addition to raised glass and damage to its camera housing.
• Staircase Side-down Drop Tests – When dropped side-down from six feet onto a paved outdoor staircase, a difficult test for any device, iPhone 14 Pro Max suffered a cracked back panel, scuffed corners, dented buttons, and damage to its camera housing. However, it functioned normally, and the camera still operated without issue. The iPhone 14 Plus aerospace-grade aluminum flat-side design was especially impressive, surviving its stairs drop with only minor scuffing on its corners. 

“The new iPhone 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max shattered on the first drop front and back, though they were still fully functional, including their amazing new cameras. The iPhone 14 Plus is a leap forward when it comes to repairability. Both iPhone 14 and 14 Plus come with removable back panels, making them easier and less expensive to repair. Apple should be applauded for this upgrade, as it’s great for their customer’s wallets and the environment,” said Jason Siciliano, vice president and global creative director at Allstate Protection Plans. “That said, the heavier iPhone 14 Pro Max is still easily damaged when dropped and expensive to repair. Which is why we always recommend owners add a case, screen protector, and consider a protection plan.” 

Introduced in 2013, Allstate Protection Plans Breakability Tests give consumers an independent assessment of devices' durability and how they live up to the rigors of daily life. They consider the device's physical characteristics, such as size, components, and materials, that affect its repairability and performance in standardized robotic tests that simulate the most common causes of device damage.  

No matter the make or model of smartphone, Allstate Protection Plans always recommends using screen protectors and phone cases, in addition to having a protection plan.