iPhone 17 Pro sets Guinness World Record after 30km fall

An iPhone 17 Pro has set a new Guinness World Record after surviving a free fall from an altitude of 30,607 meters over northern Sweden. The experiment, conducted near Kiruna, was a joint effort between accessory firm RhinoShield and the aerospace company Sent Into Space to test the durability of the RhinoShield AirX case.

The device was lifted into the stratosphere via a high-altitude balloon before being released for a 25-minute descent. The phone fell without the assistance of a parachute, thermal containers, or additional cushioning systems, relying solely on its protective case. During the descent, the device endured extreme atmospheric pressure changes and temperatures dropping as low as 60 degrees Celsius below zero.

Upon impact with the natural terrain, the phone's terminal velocity was estimated to be between 50 and 160 km/h due to air resistance. Following a five-hour search in a forested area, technicians recovered the device with no visible structural damage. Guinness World Records verified the feat after confirming the unit could power on and off, make calls, and operate its camera functions correctly.