Galaxy S9 and S9+ Beat iPhone X in Drop Tests, But Still Suffer Severe Damage

[MacRumors]

Samsung's Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are using 20 percent thicker glass and a stronger aluminum frame, both of which are designed to cut down on damage from drops. Samsung says the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are more durable than previous devices thanks to the new materials.

SquareTrade today conducted its traditional breakability tests on the Galaxy S9 devices to test Samsung's claims. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ did indeed manage to beat out the iPhone X and older Galaxy devices, but they still didn't fare well when dropped.

In every drop test, conducted from a height of six feet, the Galaxy S9 and the S9+ shattered. The two devices bent at 230 and 210 pounds, respectively, and both were cracked in a 60 second tumble test. The Galaxy S9 earned an overall breakability score of 71, while the larger Galaxy S9+ earned a score of 76.

Back in November, SquareTrade conducted the same tests on the iPhone X and deemed it the "most breakable iPhone ever" as it too shattered at the front and back when dropped from a height of six feet.

The iPhone X actually fared worse in SquareTrade's tests and showed more extensive damage and breakage in every durability test. It earned an overall breakability score of 90, much higher than the S9 and S9+.

PhoneBuff also recently did some side-by-side drop tests to compare the Galaxy S9+ and the iPhone X. In a back drop test, the iPhone X held up while the Galaxy S9+'s glass back shattered. A side test comparing the iPhone X's stainless steel frame to the S9+'s aluminum frame also saw the iPhone X come out on top.

A third facedown drop on the display side of each smartphone saw the Galaxy S9+ win out over the iPhone X, which cracked. Overall, PhoneBuff used a numbered rating system to compare the drop results, giving the edge to the Samsung Galaxy S9+ because it held up better to a repeated drop test.

While the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ appear to have fared slightly better than the iPhone X in drop tests, the two devices are still made of glass and still shattered. They shattered to a somewhat a lesser degree, sure, but broken is broken. All glass smartphones, regardless of manufacturer, need to be used with caution and protected with a case as necessary.

Unsurprisingly, neither the iPhone X's "most durable" front and back glass nor the Galaxy S9's 20 percent thicker glass with "enhanced durability" can hold up to concrete and similar hard materials when dropped.

SquareTrade and PhoneBuff may have conducted these tests using specialized equipment for consistent results, but drop tests are never scientific and are not a reliable measure of durability because there are so many variables to take into account when a device is dropped in the real world.

Samsung, like Apple, offers an extended warranty that covers accidental damage. Priced at $11.99 per month, Samsung Premium Care allows Samsung device owners to submit three accidental damage claims in a 12-month period with a $99 deductible required.

Apple's AppleCare+ for iPhone X costs $199 up front and provides coverage for two incidents of accidental damage. Screen replacements require a $29 deductible, while all other damage is subject to a $99 fee. Sans AppleCare+, it costs $279 to repair a damaged iPhone X display and $549 for all other repairs.

Article Link: Galaxy S9 and S9+ Beat iPhone X in Drop Tests, But Still Suffer Severe Damage

 

[1050792]

"The most durable glass ever in a smartphone" is no more.

 

[mtneer]

"still suffer sever damage"? So what is this like.. you'll survive but in a persistent vegetative state? is that any better than dead?

 

[Superhappytree]

These drop tests are still a thing? Thought they faded out of popularity ages ago. I guess it gives some insight but they’re both glass which shatters anyway so it’s kind of pointless.

 

[MLVC]

I really do not care about all these posts about Samsung phones. What site is this? Samsungrumors? Bit too much if you ask me...

 

[bruinsrme]

whether it is Apple, Samsung or brand X, most people I know have a case on their phone. These tests just seem to be a waste of two or more phones.

 

[The Game 161]

So pointless that drop tests are even news

 

[Royksöpp]

A glass phone broke when dropped? You don’t say?

 

[now i see it]

Test dropping from 6 feet is rediculous. When would a phone ever be 6 feet above concrete and then accidentally dropped? Perhaps it could slip out of your hand while walking down concrete stairs- then it would bounce & shatter as it tumbled down numerous stairs.

Why not drop test from a more realistic 3-1/2 feet? I'll tell you why - because most likely none of the phones would break and there would be nothing of interest to watch.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

A glass phone broke when dropped? You don’t say?

Yet they keep making more of the phone out of the material. If only we had other more durable materials that we could use on the non-display portion of the phone!

 

[BlargKing]

This just in, phones made mostly of glass are fragile. I miss the old plastic iPhones and Galaxy phones. Sure, they weren't as sexy, but damn those things had some bounce to them.

 

[johnnygee]

Test dropping from 6 feet is rediculous. When would a phone ever be 6 feet above concrete and then accidentally dropped?

I dunno...Maybe if LeBron James was making a call?

 

[killhippie]

Test dropping from 6 feet is rediculous. When would a phone ever be 6 feet above concrete and then accidentally dropped? Perhaps it could slip out of your hand while walking down concrete stairs- then it would bounce & shatter as it tumbled down numerous stairs.

Why not drop test from a more realistic 3-1/2 feet? I'll tell you why - because most likely none of the phones would break and there would be nothing of interest to watch.

Not an issue if you drop your phone while on a call if you are 3-1/2 feet tall. Alas I’m 6ft 1” myself.

 

[RudySnow]

Can we knock off all of these Samsung articles? For God’s sake, I don’t give a rat’s you-know-what about any Android devices. If I did, I’d be reading 9to5Google!

 

[Will.O.Bie]

One look at the iPhone X with glass all around, doesn't take a drop test to know this will shatter once you drop it.

 

[falainber]

I really do not care about all these posts about Samsung phones. What site is this? Samsungrumors? Bit too much if you ask me...

So, it hurts to learn that Samsung phones are better at something? On the bright side, we could expect Apple to improve iPhone in the next iteration in response to Samsung advancements.

 

[Will.O.Bie]

Can we knock off all of these Samsung articles? For God’s sake, I don’t give a rat’s you-know-what about any Android devices. If I did, I’d be reading 9to5Google!

I don't see anything wrong finding out what the competition is doing to keep Apple on its toes, but I think you have a point about the saturation of Android device news dominating the articles here lately.

 

[B4U]

In other news, glass shatters when subjected to an impact.
More on that topic in the evening news tonight.

 

[mikecorp]

yeah, new year new drop test. Gosh use the F hammer. Macrumors is getting and of course liking vader.

 

[I7guy]

Seems like the moral of this story is to have your expensive glass phone in a good case.

 

[IJ Reilly]

The lesson is you should always drop your phone carefully, and be sure to buy a case after it's broken.

 

[Glee217]

Test dropping from 6 feet is rediculous. When would a phone ever be 6 feet above concrete and then accidentally dropped? Perhaps it could slip out of your hand while walking down concrete stairs- then it would bounce & shatter as it tumbled down numerous stairs.

Why not drop test from a more realistic 3-1/2 feet? I'll tell you why - because most likely none of the phones would break and there would be nothing of interest to watch.

And people will not need to buy Squaretrade if it was dropped 3.5’ pocket height. But after seeing it dropped 6’ people might bite!

 

[Apple_Robert]

I really do not care about all these posts about Samsung phones. What site is this? Samsungrumors? Bit too much if you ask me...

How is a comparison between two leading phones "a bit too much" ?


Edited to add: I am not worried about what some drop test shows. I have AppleCare+. If I drop muy phone and it cracks, I will get it repaired or replaced.

 

[lec0rsaire]

These drop tests are ridiculous. I know some people are more prone to dropping things than others but honestly if you aren't drunk walking around waving a phone in your hand, most likely it will never be dropped. Sure, they can slip out of your hands when pulling them out from your pockets if you're in a hurry but that shouldn't shatter the phone if it's in a decent case. I keep all my phones in the Apple leather "cases" and I've never had a screen shatter or worse. I average one drop per every iPhone I've had. Most have been on soft wood floors and I think once on concrete but no damage was done.

Now, I've seen lots of people with phones with shattered screens and they're usually all teenagers or under 25. Most that I've seen were not in a case. This doesn't mean that cases save screens. It's just what I have observed throughout the years. Lots of people also keep their phones in their back pocket and sit on them. That's where I put my wallet and never understood storing your phone there. Guess it's a teenager thing again.

The only Apple device I've cracked a little bit of the glass on was my iPad 2 when I dropped it on a hard tile floor in the dark. It was only in the upper right corner of the bezel with no crack on the actual display so I never bothered to replace the screen.

But if you have butterfingers, then always buy AppleCare+ and have that peace of mind.

 

[s15119]

Yes, phones still break if you abuse, drop them or put them in a blender. Film at 11pm.