It's been five years since the first iPhone was introduced in the U.S.  And we've been spending a ridiculous fortune ever since on buying them . . . and apparently DESTROYING THEM.

According to a new study, Americans have spent approximately $5.9 BILLION in the past five years repairing and replacing broken, lost, and stolen iPhones.

Mostly broken ones . . . because you're TEN TIMES more likely to break your iPhone than to lose it or have it stolen.

In just the last year, 30% of iPhone users have damaged their phone.  Right now, 11% are using an iPhone with a cracked screen, and 6% are using one that's taped up.

The most common way we break iPhones is by DROPPING them on the ground.  Dropping one in a toilet is second . . . having them fall from your lap is third . . . knocking one off a table is fourth . . . and spilling on one is fifth.