Other Can dropping your phone damage the internals?

[shenfrey]

First thing people freak out about is the screen but what about the internals? Surely we could knock that Taptic Engine out of place or hard enough that it could malfunction? What about damaging the components such as the processor?

 

[Realistiic]

I would think it's possible to damage any component if hit hard enough and in the right place.

 

[Gav2k]

Technically yes but the screen generally goes first.

 

[convergent]

Yes, of course it can cause something internal to break or become loose.

 

[shenfrey]

I have dropped my phones fairly hard in the past, how come they have never been internally damaged? I imagine phone manufactures anticipate this and protect the components somehow?

 

[Sirious]

I have dropped my phones fairly hard in the past, how come they have never been internally damaged? I imagine phone manufactures anticipate this and protect the components somehow?

You're right, but its hard to predict every scenario possible for dropping a device.

 

[T5BRICK]

I have dropped my phones fairly hard in the past, how come they have never been internally damaged?

With a hard enough impact, solder joints can crack. You've either been lucky or the impacts weren't enough to cause any noticeable damage.

I imagine phone manufactures anticipate this and protect the components somehow?

To some extent, but how much impact protection do you want built into your phone? You know how cars protect their passengers, right? They crumple. Do you want you phone to do that?

 

[Newtons Apple]

I have dropped my phones fairly hard in the past, how come they have never been internally damaged? I imagine phone manufactures anticipate this and protect the components somehow?

It is all in the luck of physics.

 

[zhenya]

I dropped my unprotected iPhone 6 on a concrete sidewalk when it was fairly new. Just one nick in the aluminum, screen was fine, but the vibration motor always rattled around a bit more than it had previous to the drop.

 

[Ta0jin]

Everything is screwed down or glued down, that being said anything can happen if dropped hard enough or at the wrong angle I suppose but I wouldn't worry too much. If something comes apart you'll know and you can take it to Apple.

 

[aneftp]

My wife dropped her iPhone 5 out of a slow moving hotel resort tram in early 2014 Even with case on. It was a loud "thud" noise I hear when it hit the cement. I was sure screen shattered. But case saved it.

However the phone was in reboot mode and the "blue screen" of death appeared on the iPhone.

So the motherboard/logic board had to be damaged for the blue screen of death. Took it to Apple Store and they gave me a free replaced it cause it was under warranty. They didn't find any "physical damage". I am sure there was damage from the loud thud I heard.

 

[nightcap965]

Can fallng damage *your* internals? The iPhone only feels like a solid block of magic. It's got lots of little fiddly bits. Try not to drop it.

 

[Applejuiced]

Can dropping your phone damage the internals?

You really need to ask this? Off course it can and will if you drop it.

 

[bufffilm]

I can't believe somebody posted this ... I swear some Apple users ask the most ridiculous questions.

 

[yaboyac29]

I can't believe somebody posted this ... I swear some Apple users ask the most ridiculous questions.

Not just Apple users, people in general ask ridiculous questions all the time.

There's not many moving parts in the phone so it's hard to damage the internals, but it is possible.

 

[Applejuiced]

There's not many moving parts in the phone so it's hard to damage the internals, but it is possible.

Doesn't need to have moving parts to damage the internals. The impact can break internal components.
It's an electronic device, not a hammer.

 

[yaboyac29]

Doesn't need to have moving parts to damage the internals. The impact can break internal components.
It's an electronic device, not a hammer.

A drop from your waist isn't going to do damage to the internals.

 

[Hastings101]

I wouldn't handle your iPhone carelessly if I were you, but it's not that likely in my experience. I never dropped my 4S, but I threw my iPhone 3G hard against a wall in a not-so-proud moment of iOS 4 rage, and it survived largely unscathed.

I'd bet the new thinner/metal ones are much more fragile, but you'd likely only have a cracked screen if it's a small drop onto a hard surface. Smartphones can take at least a little roughness.

 

[Applejuiced]

A drop from your waist isn't going to do damage to the internals.

Yes any drop could cause damage.
Depends on the way it falls and the surface it lands.
I like how you're making that claim as a fact.
Keep dropping your phone and see how well it works.

 

[Paco II]

Dropped iPhone 6 from waist high onto tile floor. Broke camera internals and had to have it fixed. Thank you Apple Care Plus.

 

[irod87]

Fell and landed on 6 Plus a couple of weeks ago. Phone seems undamaged but later on that night noticed touch screen was not functioning properly. So to answer your question. Yes.

 

[JamesMB]

A drop from your waist isn't going to do damage to the internals.

And, just how did you come up with those words of wisdom?????

 

[yaboyac29]

And, just how did you come up with those words of wisdom?????

i may or may not be an engineer at apple

 

[C DM]

i may or may not be an engineer at apple

Either way, that statement just doesn't hold up.

 

[HEK]

It is all in the luck of physics.

Come on.....you honestly expect people to understand that any given drop can't be predictive as to damage done.

I bet 6 emojis and one snarky comment that there will be dozens of anecdotal stories of how their personal drop did or did not cause internal damage. And extrapolating their experience as meaningful across the board.