Ever wondered how Apple ensures your iPhone survives the chaos of everyday life? Welcome to Apple’s secret durability lab-one of 200 around the globe-where iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and even AirPods face brutal testing. These behind-the-scenes trials are what help Apple devices retain up to 40% more value than Android phones in the refurbished market.
Apple holds a dominant 56% share of the global refurbished smartphone market, and its rigorous quality testing is a big reason why.
Counterpoint Research recently took a rare tour inside one of Apple’s durability labs to see how these devices are tortured in the name of quality.
The first tests? Extreme environments. Apple replicates steamy, humid climates found across 175+ countries to see how well their devices endure heat and moisture. Then there’s the salt test-100 hours of salt exposure mimics coastal conditions, while sand from Arizona deserts is blown into speaker grilles and charging ports to assess particle resistance.
It gets weirder. Apple also tests products with synthetic earwax and sweat to measure how real-world gunk affects long-term usability. Gross but effective.
Water resistance testing is taken seriously. Apple simulates rainfall using a ‘drip ceiling’ test. Devices that pass earn an IPX5 rating, showing resilience to water splashes. High-pressure water jets follow to test for IPX6. Then comes full submersion: iPhones are dunked in tanks replicating depths of one to six meters to test IPX7 and IPX8 capabilities. Apple even exposes devices to liquids like soda, sunscreen, and perfume, since real-life spills are rarely just water.
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max boast IP68 ratings-Apple’s highest-proving they’re dust-tight and can survive submersion over 19 feet deep for 30 minutes.
Then there’s the dramatic drop test
. Apple’s “klutzy robot” drops iPhones from different angles onto asphalt, particle board, and granite, mimicking accidents in daily life.
Each drop is recorded and analyzed by custom software to evaluate structural damage and function.
To top it off, vibration tests replicate the shaking that happens during shipping or regular travel. Devices are shaken on mechanical tables to make sure they survive the journey from factory to your hand.
According to Counterpoint, Apple runs these grueling tests on at least 10,000 units before unveiling new models. With the iPhone 17 lineup-featuring the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air-launching in September, Apple’s lab tech is working overtime.