#Bendgate
iPhone 6 Plus controversy when phones bent in users’ pockets (note: 2014, not 2013).
Quick Facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | September 2014 |
| Device | iPhone 6 Plus |
| Issue | Aluminum chassis bending in pockets |
| Apple’s Response | ”Extremely rare” (9 reported cases) |
Origin & Impact
Bendgate erupted in September 2014 when users reported iPhone 6 Plus devices bending in their front pockets. YouTube videos of people deliberately bending iPhones went viral, including Unbox Therapy’s video reaching millions. The hashtag mocked Apple’s premium pricing for phones that couldn’t withstand pocket pressure.
Apple insisted only nine customers reported the issue, calling it “extremely rare,” but the hashtag damaged the iPhone 6 Plus’s reputation. Consumer Reports testing showed it bent easier than competitors. Apple quietly strengthened the iPhone 6S chassis the following year. Bendgate became shorthand for hardware design flaws in flagship products.
Related Hashtags
- #iPhone6Plus
- #AppleFail
- #TechFail
- #UnboxTherapy