A mobile phone survived a 100,000-foot plunge from the stratosphere without suffering any damage, thanks to a record-breaking protective case.
Phone case manufacturer RhinoShield teamed up with aerospace company Sent Into Space to put its AirX case through the ultimate drop test.
On June 24, the companies carried an iPhone 17 Pro above Kiruna, Sweden, using a high-altitude balloon. The device was then released from 30,607 meters, or 100,418 feet, more than three times the usual cruising altitude of a commercial airliner.
Footage of the stunt shows the phone falling toward Earth before landing in the remote Swedish wilderness. There was no parachute, heating system, or secondary layer of protection.
In fact, Guinness World Records required the case itself to make direct contact with the ground first.
Despite falling for approximately 25 minutes and enduring temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius, the phone was recovered without any visible damage.
The only thing that broke was a record.
Phone case sets Guinness World Record after space drop
According to Guinness World Records, the team spent over five hours searching for the device after its tracker narrowed the landing area down to roughly two kilometers.
Once found, officials confirmed the phone could still be switched on and off, make calls, and take photos. Its exterior also remained intact.
The successful test earned RhinoShield and Sent Into Space the record for the “highest drop of a mobile phone in a phone case (natural landforms).”
RHINOSHIELD The AirX case uses a single recyclable material and was inspired by car airbags and the shock-absorbing cushions found in athletic shoes. Engineers also put it through freezing and atmospheric pressure tests before the launch.
“We prepared for the absolute worst and hoped for the best,” RhinoShield Brand Experience Manager Mujou Hsiao said.
Phones have survived some remarkable falls before. In 2024, an iPhone remained intact after dropping 16,000 feet from an Alaska Airlines flight.
Other unusual cases have served very different purposes, including a six-pound design intended to stop its owner from scrolling and a limited-edition Dunkin’ case filled with fake iced coffee.
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
