---
title: 'iPhone 18 Pro Durability Test - Right on Time'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=WUlLIo9LI-w'
video_id: 'WUlLIo9LI-w'
date: 2026-09-19
duration_sec: 436
channel: 'JerryRigEverything'
---

# iPhone 18 Pro Durability Test - Right on Time

> Source: [iPhone 18 Pro Durability Test - Right on Time](https://youtube.com/watch?v=WUlLIo9LI-w)

## Summary

This video is a durability and design review of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, focusing on the new variable aperture camera, underscreen camera, and the phone's build quality. The reviewer tests scratch resistance, heat resistance, and structural rigidity, while also comparing Apple's innovations to those previously introduced by Android manufacturers.

### Key Points

- **Design and Colors** [00:00] — The reviewer has the burgundy iPhone 18 Pro and glacier Pro Max, praising the metal frame but criticizing the burgundy color, comparing it to 'congealed pig's blood' and 'grandma's couch.'
- **Variable Aperture Camera** [00:42] — The new variable aperture main camera lens mechanically adjusts light intake, a feature Samsung introduced seven years ago, highlighting Apple's tendency to adopt existing tech.
- **Underscreen Camera** [01:33] — Apple added an underscreen camera for Face ID, a feature Red Magic and VTE pioneered six years ago, again noting Apple's delayed adoption.
- **Scratch Resistance** [02:07] — The screen uses the same Ceramic Shield 2 as last year, scratching at level 7 with deeper grooves at level 8, confirming durability.
- **Build Materials** [03:14] — The body is aluminum with plastic antenna bands, and the buttons are not removable. The back panel has a plastic border around the camera plateau for better signal reception.
- **Charging Speed** [03:47] — The iPhone 18 Pro supports 60W fast charging, the same speed Apple introduced in 2019, again lagging behind Android counterparts.
- **Camera Specs** [04:27] — All three cameras are 48MP sensors, same as last year, with the only new feature being the variable aperture on the main lens.
- **Scratch Removal** [05:34] — Nearly 100% of scratches brush off the surface, except for fossilized dinosaur poop, which leaves a mark.
- **Screen and Heat Resistance** [06:00] — The screen is identical to the iPhone 17 Pro (6.3 inches, 3000 nits, 120Hz) with a slightly smaller Dynamic Island. It withstands 25 seconds of flame without permanent damage.
- **Structural Rigidity** [06:12] — Despite a larger vapor chamber, the phone remains solid and unflexing, passing the bend test.

### Conclusion

The iPhone 18 Pro is a solid, durable device that continues Apple's trend of adopting features Android had years earlier. The main new features are the variable aperture and underscreen camera, but overall, it's an incremental update with familiar specs.

## Transcript

Today on my desk we have two phones, the burgundy colored iPhone 18 Pro and the glacier colored iPhone 18 Pro Max. I'm a huge fan of the metal frame, so I'm glad Apple continued that design from last year, but I'm not so sure about the color.
Yeah, the blue glacier is pretty great, we'll see how durable this is in a second, but making an iPhone the same color as everyone's least favorite Thanksgiving dish is a choice. Kind of makes me nostalgic for my grandma's couch, to be honest.
But let's not get distracted. Up here on the camera plateau, we have the same super sharp angles as we saw on last year's iPhone 17 Pro. So the anodizing is just as likely to trip on this year's phone as last year's.
But the new thing that Apple added to the 18 Pro is the variable aperture main camera lens at the bottom of the triple trifecta. If I bump up my own camera's aperture, we can better see the iPhone camera aperture.
More light equals a brighter image. And now this new iPhone can mechanically add or subtract light from a picture. Thumbs up for that. We learned all about this when Samsung did it first on Android about seven years ago.
So, Apple is right on cue. Zooming in with a microscope makes it look even more fascinating. My little microscope is self-lit, which helps us see the texture on the back of the iPhone body, as well as see inside of the camera lens.
The six fins are all opening and closing at the same time. It'll be very interesting to take a look at the mechanics from the inside of the phone here in a bit, whether we take it apart manually or it breaks open during the durability test, whichever comes first.
The other new thing that Apple reinvented this year is the underscreen camera. Red Magic and VTE started doing this about six years ago, which means that, again, Apple is right on time. Ignore the dust spec but you can see through the pixels on the screen to where the infrared camera sits where it handles the Face ID stuff We touch it out here in a second I still can get over this color though
It kind of reminds me of the time I spilled grape juice on the carpet. Setting the coagulated pig's blood colored iPhone back on my desk, it's time to scratch the screen. Last year, Apple gave us a brand new, surprisingly scratch-resistant
Serenity Shield 2 cover class. and they're using the same slab again this year,
which, again, scratches at a level 7 with deeper grooves at a level 8. Still sounds very weird to say, but you gotta give credit where credit is due, and it's good to get confirmation of the iPhone's durability.
There is a rumor floating around that some privacy screen protectors can throw off the under-display infrared face and locking camera, you know, the privacy-tinted or anti-glare ones, But, if you get an optically clear screen protector, like this Prism screen protector from our channel sponsor dbrand,
it'll add a completely functional transparent layer of protection against drops and dings. Plus, the applicator makes installing the glass pretty foolproof.
And yeah, the iPhone glass is definitely more scratch resistant, to be sure, but glass is still glass, and screen protectors will help keep the screen from shattering during drops. Gotta keep that smaller dynamic island and underscreen camera safe.
Flipping the phone around again to the cough syrup colored frame, we can see that indeed the body is aluminum. And the buttons are not removable. Up here at the top of the iPhone 18 Pro,
we have the plastic 5G antenna and more aluminum The left side has even more aluminum some metal volume buttons and the dedicated action button Down at the bottom we have our lower stereo loudspeaker and microphone holes and 60 fast charging
which, and I hate to bring this up, is the same charging speed Apple launched back in 2019, seven years ago. So again, Apple is right on time. If you want to know the specs of next year's iPhone, just check on what Androids were doing about six or seven years ago,
and Apple will deliver. Luckily, I do have videos of every mainstream phone ever made, so it's easy to go back and check. I know, Apple does. Thanks for subscribing. Making our way over to the back panel, it looks like it's been shaking too many hands,
if you know what I mean. Kind of reminds me of the color of Elon's face when a poor kid gets to eat. Up on the metal plateau, we find our three camera lenses. And yeah, they are all the same 48 megapixel sensors
from last year. 48 wide angle, 48 telephoto, and 48 megapixel main camera. The only thing new is the variable aperture on that bottom unit. The camera lenses do not pop off like they do on Samsung's phones.
And the border surrounding the plateau is definitely made from plastic. This is to help the cell signals, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, get better reception, since plastic is more transparent to those wavelengths.
It's got the same shade as the kidney you just sold to afford the phone. As far as the material back here goes, if your phone is in the same pocket as your keys, there will obviously be some material transfer from the metal keys to the glass back
and that anodized plateau. So be aware of that. Coins as well. Keep those in a separate pocket or purse. Pennies aren't too bad. Not that we have to worry about those too much anymore. I also have a structural rivet from the Golden Gate Bridge And some fossilized dinosaur poop because you never know what you might encounter out there
What's really cool, though, about this casino carpet-colored iPhone 18 Pro is that nearly 100% of the scratches we just made brush right off the surface. Everything except the dinosaur poop, but now we know, right?
Knowledge is power. The screen of this iPhone 18 Pro is basically identical to the iPhone 17 Pro. Same 6.3 inches, same 3000 nits, same 120 hertz, and same resolution.
The only difference is a slightly smaller dynamic island at the top. It lasts for about 25 seconds under the heat from my flame without taking any permanent damage. But you know, don't try this at home, because I am a professional.
Finally, the big test. Rumor is that Apple put a much larger vapor chamber in the phone this time around. And even with that extra layer of cooling, the iPhone 18 Pro remains solid, rigid, and unflexing.
The only thing that will ever hurt this iPhone 18 Pro is a drop, which, if you live somewhere affected by gravity, is something to keep in mind. Luckily, dbrand has us covered with their new minimal line of cases.
It's got a nice sandstone-like texture, and if you like carrying a minimal number of cards in your pocket, dbrand also has a matching magnetic wallet with a kickstand built in. It works in both directions. And of course, Dbrand still has the usual lineup of cases we're all familiar with,
the transparent zero yellowing ghost case. So everyone can tell you have the new color, there's the rugged tank case, or my personal favorite, the classic grip case, complete with one of my teardown skins. This one's my daily driver on Android, of course.
I'll explain why in seven more years. I'll leave a link down below, or you can hit up any Best Buy nationwide in the USA, where they stock the entire collection. Thanks a ton for watching. I'll see you around.