Bulletproof iPhones Save Lives of Israeli Soldiers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen gifting a new iPhone to an Israeli soldier whose life was saved by his iPhone. Photo = X (Twitter)

News has emerged that Apple’s iPhone saved the life of an Israeli soldier who was shot by enemy forces, sparking a buzz.

The iPhone acted as a sort of bulletproof vest, blocking a bullet and saving the soldier’s life. Upon hearing this news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally visited the soldier to express his encouragement and even gifted him a new iPhone.

According to the U.S. IT media ‘Phone Arena’ on December 20 (local time), a video was posted on X (Twitter) that day, revealing that an iPhone had saved a soldier’s life in the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, drawing global attention.

The video stated, “His (the soldier’s) phone blocked a bullet and saved his life. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went to give him a new iPhone,” and added, “You guys are our heroes, and we will win together.” The video captured an iPhone with a bullet hole on the front and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to present the soldier with a new phone.

Notably, Prime Minister Netanyahu was seen marveling at the iPhone, which had clear bullet marks. The front of the iPhone was shattered by the bullet, but the back seemed relatively intact, suggesting the bullet did not penetrate through.

The phone in the video appears to be an ‘iPhone X’

A rabbi (Jewish clergyman) accompanying Netanyahu also gifted a new iPhone to the soldier, and other soldiers were also presented with new iPhones. The model of the iPhone used has not been confirmed, but the consensus is that the phone in the video appears to be an iPhone X. Regardless, thanks to the iPhone that blocked the bullet, this soldier now owns the latest ‘iPhone 15’ model. Other soldiers present also received iPhone 15s as gifts.

The iPhone X, launched in 2017, featured a stainless steel frame and a glass back. Apple explained that it was made with a layer that was 50% stronger, using a glass material and a double ion exchange process. The phone’s durability was further enhanced by internal laser welding and a steel and copper structure.

A Ukrainian soldier was saved from Russian gunfire thanks to the iPhone he had on his body. Photo = Reddit Capture

In July last year, a Ukrainian soldier was also saved from Russian gunfire thanks to the smartphone he had on his body.

On July 16 (local time), a video titled ‘iPhone saved the life of a Ukrainian soldier’ was posted on the American online community Reddit. According to the released video, the person presumed to be a Ukrainian soldier pulled out an iPhone that was tucked into his vest. The iPhone, which had been shot in the middle of the back, was completely shattered on the outside, exposing the inside of the device. Of course, the screen on the other side was also completely broken, but it appeared that the bullet did not penetrate the smartphone.

In particular, the side of the smartphone was deformed into a ‘D’ shape due to the impact of the bullet. The vest pocket where the iPhone was inserted had a hole where the bullet had pierced through.

Netizens who saw this video reacted in various ways, saying, “It’s the best advertisement,” “It’s a bulletproof iPhone indeed,” “Another miracle happened,” and “I guess that iPhone will never be thrown away.” Taking into account the location and design of the iPhone camera in the video, netizens speculated that the model was the ‘iPhone 11 Pro,’ which was released in 2019.

A Ukrainian soldier was saved from Russian gunfire thanks to the Samsung Galaxy phone he had on his body. Photo = Reddit Capture

The Galaxy smartphone made by Samsung Electronics also blocked a bullet, earning it the title of a bulletproof phone. In April last year, a video was shared online showing a Galaxy smartphone owned by a Ukrainian soldier blocking a bullet from the Russian military. A Ukrainian soldier posted on TikTok that his colleague’s life was saved thanks to a Samsung smartphone.

The video showed clear bullet marks on the front of the smartphone, and the soldier flipped the phone to prove that the bullet did not penetrate. When he removed the case, the ‘SAMSUNG’ logo was visible on the back. The video also captured him telling his colleague, “The Samsung smartphone saved a life.”

At the time, netizens speculated that the model was the ‘Galaxy S20 Plus’ or ‘Galaxy S20 FE,’ both released by Samsung Electronics in 2020, based on the fact that the smartphone protective case was identical to the S-View Case launched by Samsung.

By. Hyun Ho Lee