#Bendgate Video Hits Almost 46 Million In 5 Days, But Impact On Apple’s Finances Minimal

Apple sold an impressive 10 million units of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus 24 hours after it was rolled out simultaneously in 10 countries on Sept 19. But the original #bendgate video that wiped out $23 billion from the value of the Cupertino-based tech giant got almost 46 million hits in 5 days as of Monday night.

Read:

#Bendgate, iOS 8 Glitch Wipes Out $23B From Apple's Value

#Bendgate: iPhone 6 Woes Prompt Apple To Show Device Torture Room

YouTube/Unbox Therapy

The rest is history as the viral video above spawned other bend tests involving other newly released smartphones even if there were only 9 official complaints of bending iPhone 6s.

Read: iPhone 6 Bends When Owner Sits Down

Techradar pointed out that even if 9 out of 10 million sales "isn't a bad failure rate," #bendgate nevertheless damaged the iconic brand. The Web site noted that "People are starting to mock it and question its worthiness of dominance," while warning, "It's in danger of becoming a laughing stock."

Read:

#Bendgate: Samsung & Other Phone Brands Poke Fun At iPhone 6 Bendgate

Report Of Bending iPhone 6 Leads To Spoof Page; Device Loses To Galaxy Note 3 In Bend Test

It has become a laughing stock, but after the last guffaw has been heard, the question arises if #bendgate would dent Apple's bottom line.

Fortune magazine contributor Chuck Jones cited six possible ways that #bendgate could affect Apple financially. These are buying decisions would be set aside, the iPhone 6 would be pitted against the iPhone 6 Plus, bent iPhones would be returned and replaced, Apple would have to redesign its flagship device and it would lead to higher warranty cost for the company.

Read: Apple To Replace Bent iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus

Jones estimated scenario 1 would reduce Apple's revenue by $80 million on the assumption that 100,000 people would no longer buy an iPhone 6 because of its bending problem. Scenario 2 would cut the firm's revenue by $10 million. Scenario 3 would cost Apple $52 million, while scenario 4 would cost it hundreds of millions of dollars.

Finally, scenario 5 would set Apple back by $26 million, which are all still considered paltry given a $40 billion quarterly revenue for Apple.

Certainly, the 9 bent iPhone 6s are the rotten apples that has the potential to damage the brand nurtured and grown by the late Steve Jobs and his friends.

Meanwhile, kids have taken it upon themselves to be the unofficial bend testers of iPhone 6 in stores, not caring if they destroy units that are not theirs. A Brit teen shown in the next video even washed his hands of the cost, saying, "I don't even care to be honest, because it's Apple's fault."

YouTube/RazorConcepts