Apple Watch Ultra stress test: table breaks before sapphire glass screen

Testing the durability of your Apple Watch screen by repeatedly hitting a sapphire crystal with an iron hammer is one way to do this.

• What is happening? In an unusual stress test, a YouTuber drops his Ultra, puts it in a jar of nails, and hits the display multiple times with a hammer.
• Why care? Apple has made some big claims about the durability of the Apple Watch Ultra. This non-scientific stress test is one way to find out if Apple’s marketing is just being too creative or maybe even just lying to us.
• What to do? Watch the video if you are afraid to break the display.

Apple Watch Ultra screen: how durable is it?

TechRax posted their stress test of the Apple Watch Ultra rugged display on YouTube. Apple says the Ultra uses a sapphire glass back for added protection compared to other models that only use sapphire glass on the back.

The reviewer drops the Ultra several times from a height of about four feet. They then shook the device in the nails and then hit the flat sapphire crystal on the front several times with a heavy hammer. While the front sapphire crystal will break after a while, in the video above the table breaks before the Ultra screen.

Repeated hammer blows seem to have damaged internal components because the Ultra won’t turn on after several direct blows to the front sapphire crystal.

During a series of scratch tests, the titanium case also showed scratches and abrasions, but that was to be expected – titanium is very strong, but not scratch resistant. However, the case has no scuff marks after being shaken in a jar of nails.

The Ultra went on sale last Friday, so there are plenty of overview videos available on YouTube to kill your time. Earlier today, we posted a hands-on video that showcases all three bands for Apple’s Ultra.

The most durable Apple Watch

“This is the most durable and functional Apple Watch yet,” Apple said at the launch of the Ultra. TechRax isn’t just some random blogger destroying gadgets for views, it’s a Ukrainian YouTube channel that specializes in videos testing the durability of popular products. Read: How to watch YouTube on Apple Watch

Aside from the durable tempered glass, another way Apple makes the Ultra durable is through material choices. While conventional models use materials such as aluminum and stainless steel, the Ultra’s case is made from “aerospace grade”titanium, making it even more durable than steel and resistant to corrosion.

The rugged smartwatch is certified to relevant aspects of MIL-STD-810H, the standard used for rugged military equipment.