Apple will reportedly check your iPhone 6 Plus for signs of #Bendgate, and even replace it

By Malarie Gokey Updated September 25, 2014

IPhone 6 Plus studio front angle full plus

Everyone and their pet cat has heard about #Bendgate. Although Apple has yet to officially address the issue of bent iPhone 6 Plus units, it seems that Apple Support staff at the Genius bar are authorized to inspect users’ devices and determine the severity of the bend. In some cases, they may even be able to replace your bent iPhone 6 Plus.

When asked whether it would be possible to get a replacement for an iPhone 6 Plus that had been bent after normal use, one Apple Support staffer told The Next Web that it depends on the situation.

“That is 100 percent up to the Genius you speak with at the store,” the representative wrote in a message. “There is a test called a Visual Mechanical Inspection that the device will have to pass. If it is within the guidelines, they will be able to cover it. If not, the replacement would be a paid one.”

The support team was unable to clarify the guidelines of the inspection and did not say what criteria owners of bent iPhone 6 Plus units must meet to get a free replacement. An Apple PR rep told the publication that the company is looking into the cause of bendgate and will replace some iPhone 6 Plus units, provided that they haven’t been purposefully bent or harmed by the owner.

So far, it seems that bendgate has only affected a few customers, so with any luck the issue will soon be resolved and those with damaged iPhone 6 Plus units can get replacements. We contacted Apple Support in an online chat ourselves and we re-directed to Apple PR. We’ve contacted the company and will update this post with Apple’s response.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…

Mobile

I lost my iPhone on a dream vacation — and it wasn’t a nightmare

Photo of Spain.

Our trip to Spain and Morocco, which my wife, Julie, had meticulously planned for 15 months, started off rather inauspiciously on June 25. After arriving in Chicago from Portland, Oregon, we learned that our connecting flight to Newark, New Jersey, had been canceled due to weather concerns. As we waited in line for two-and-a-half hours to talk to a United Airlines agent, we were told via text by a customer service rep that we might be stuck in the Windy City for two days.

A 30-year Spanish teacher, Julie was on the verge of fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting Spain. Now, several activities were in danger of being erased from her bucket list as her worst fears about the trip were being realized. When we finally made it to the service desk, our hope was all but snuffed out. We explained the situation to the agent, who spent several minutes looking at his computer wordlessly. He eventually looked up and said: "I can you get out on a flight tonight."

Mobile

How to fast charge your iPhone

iPhone 12 Mini with charger

While they may not be some of the longest-lasting smartphones on the market, modern iPhones boast more than respectable battery life that should be able to get you through an entire day's use without breaking too much of a sweat. Of course, that assumes a lot of things — including a battery that's still relatively new and in good health, plus a usage pattern that doesn't include all-day streaming or gaming.

If you fall into either (or both) of these categories, then overnight charging isn't going to cut it, and you'll want to get your battery topped up again as quickly as you can so you can get back on the road. Thankfully, every iPhone released in the past six years supports much faster charging, but the downside is that with very few exceptions, Apple has never supplied you with the right adapter to get the best possible charging speeds from your iPhone.

Mobile

These are the only 2 reasons I’m excited for the iPhone 15 Pro

The App Library on the iPhone 14 Pro.

It’s peak summer right now, though fall is just around the corner with back-to-school season on the horizon. With that also comes Apple’s annual iPhone event.

This year, we are definitely expecting the iPhone 15 lineup, as well as Apple Watch Series 9, and maybe a new Apple Watch Ultra. The rumors for the iPhone 15 series have been going strong for months, though there has also been a lot of back-and-forth too, mostly relating to the iPhone 15 Pro models.