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Social media storm builds over possible fault in Apple's iPhone 6 design

News: owners of Apple's newly released iPhone 6 handsets have taken to social media to complain about a possible design fault – using the hashtag #bendgate and posting images of devices that appear to have bent under pressure.

A number of twitter users and technology blogs have been posting images and videos of "bent" iPhones.

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus both feature a new aluminium shell, designed to make the devices thinner than any of Apple's previous mobile phones. The iPhone 6 is 6.9 millimetres thick, while the iPhone 6 Plus measures 7.1 millimetres thick – both marginally thinner than the iPhone 5 S. The devices also have a larger screen than any previous iPhone design.

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But users say that this shell is not strong enough for the size of the device, and cannot withstand the pressure of being carried in the pocket of a pair of trousers.

Images of crooked devices began to surface online yesterday. The bends shown range from a slight curve only visible when the device is laid on a flat service, to almost a 10 degree angle between the top and bottom sections of the device.

Various technology blogs have now posted videos showing makeshift "stress-tests".

Video blogger Lewis Hilsenteger, who runs a popular video channel about mobile phones on YouTube called Unbox Therapy, posted a video titled iPhone 6 Plus Bend Test that has been viewed more than 8 million times in the last 24 hours.

"I've been using it as my regular phone for the past couple of days and upon inspection I actually noticed a tiny little indentation towards the centre of the device, which implies a little bit of a bend," said Hilsenteger.

"Under the pressure of my hands it does bend quite significantly," he said in the video. "Will this happen in your front pocket? That probably depends on how tight your pants are," he added. "I think it could."

Apple CEO Tim Cook described the launch of the devices as "the biggest advancement in the history of the iPhone" during the company's presentation earlier this month. "These are the best phones ever made," added Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple.

Apple have declined to provide any comment about #bendgate, but insiders are suggesting that they will release a statement shortly.

Video and main image by Unbox Therapy.