Skip to main content

Watch Apple’s newest iPad meet messy end in durability test

Popular YouTuber Zack Nelson — he of the JerryRigEverything channel — has taken his tool kit to Apple’s newest iPad in a durability test that, we may as well say it now, doesn’t end well for the device.

The New iPad is... (Lets just not talk about it...)

Released a couple of months ago to lukewarm reviews, the new iPad is the 10th version of Apple’s budget iPad, which comes in a range of colors.

Opting for the pink iPad, Nelson begins by noting how the new device has “officially caught up with the rest of the world” by installing a USB-C port, replacing Apple’s proprietary Lightning port.

Before taking his knife to the iPad, Nelson also highlights the absurdity of Apple’s decision to keep the Lightning connector on the iPad’s compatible Apple Pencil, ensuring you’ll need to get the $9 dongle to connect it to the USB-C port. “Apple’s loving it, though,” Nelson says, adding: “I hear they’re even changing their catchphrase from ‘think different’ to ‘think dongle.’”

Nelson’s scratch test using the Mohs hardness scale shows damage on the iPad’s display starting at Level 6, with deeper grooves at Level 7. “Pretty standard,” the YouTuber says.

Next, the knives come out and a great deal of scratching and scraping ensues. A warning to more sensitive souls: This part of the durability will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing up, so best watch this bit with the volume down.

After attempting to carve out a cartoon character on the back of the iPad (“Not my best work,” Nelson admits), the iPad is starting to look a little ragged. Then, out comes the lighter, with a naked flame going up against the iPad’s display, a procedure that causes some rather funky behavior with the glass.

Finally, the bend test, where Nelson uses all his might to push the iPad’s structure to its limit. Sure, no one is going to bend it like this in an everyday scenario, and it’s somehow little surprise that the iPad breaks into two pieces. Just don’t stand or sit on the thing. Nelson notes that the iPad’s weak spot appears to be the keyboard connector points on the side of the device.

Holding a mangled iPad, Nelson finishes the video by inspecting its innards. This shows up a few surprises, including an abundance of empty space, and a speaker that is some distance from the grill hole.

For a full review of a pristine iPad 10th-generation that features no sharp objects or burning flames, Digital Trends has you covered.

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
9 new Apple products that could launch in 2023
The back of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

As it currently stands, 2023 has already been a busy year for Apple. The company launched a new yellow iPhone 14, brought back the HomePod, and refreshed its Mac lineup with an M2 Mac mini and M2 MacBook Pro. But what else is on the docket? As it turns out, a lot more. From new iPhones, an upgraded Apple Watch, and possibly an AR headset, here are nine products we still expect from Apple in 2023.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro

If there is any Apple product with an upgrade cycle that’s literally like clockwork, it’s the iPhone, which is always out in the fall. This year, we can expect the iPhone 15 lineup to include an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, it is rumored that the iPhone 15 will have a bigger 6.2-inch display this year, but the rest of the lineup will have the same sizes as before.

Read more
Own an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook? Install this critical update right now
IOS 16.4.1 UPDATE.

Apple has released software updates for iPhones and iPads that are light on features, but they are critically important from a security perspective. The updates — iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1 — started rolling out on Friday, but you should install them on your iPhone and iPad as soon as possible to protect your devices from attacks.

In its official release note, Apple says the updates patch two security flaws that “may have been actively exploited.” Now, Apple doesn’t disclose security issues before conducting thorough research, both in-house and in collaboration with cybersecurity experts. In a nutshell, when Apple publicly announces a security flaw, and it comes with a “Critical Vulnerability” badge, you should grab the fix as soon as Apple makes them available.

Read more
Why I never want the Apple Watch to change
The Apple Watch SE 2 on a mans wrist.

A recent report indicated Apple’s next version of watchOS will be a “fairly extensive upgrade” — with changes to the user interface specifically mentioned. It went on to say that, despite these possible alterations to the software, the Apple Watch itself won’t see such significant changes. There may be some people who think this is a bad thing and want to see “new” hardware to keep things exciting, at least in their minds.

I’m in the opposite camp. I never want Apple to change the basic shape and design of the Apple Watch. Here’s why leaving it alone is the very best course of action.
Recognizable and comfortable

Read more