SquareTrade breakability testing: Galaxy S7 / Edge are water resistant, durability still suspect

[Shawn Knight]

Samsung's latest smartphones recently visited the labs of extended warranty provider SquareTrade for some good ole' torture testing. How'd the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge hold up against a barrage of perils including water and physical stress tests and how do they compare against Apple's iPhone 6s and 6s Plus? Read on (or watch above) to find out.

The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge both carry an IP68 rating meaning they can remain submerged in up to 1.5 meters (roughly five feet) of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. After half an hour in those exact conditions, both new Galaxy phones still worked but the audio was permanently muffled and distorted.

For comparison, the iPhone 6s (which isn't rated for any liquid protection) lost all audio and suffered water damage under the screen in the same test. The iPhone 6s Plus, meanwhile, began malfunctioning at 10 minutes and was a total brick at 24 minutes in.

The idea of the IP68 rating is that you can get stuck out in the rain for a few minutes or accidentally drop it in the toilet and not have to worry about ruining the device (just make sure and disinfect it really well if the latter occurs).

(The lower the Breakability Score, the better)

After 30 seconds in SquareTrade's new TumbleBot, both new Galaxy phones cracked in the exact same way with shattered backs and corners. The iPhone 6s completed the test with only a minor knick while the display on the larger 6s Plus totally shattered.

SquareTrade also conducted various drop and bend tests but for the sake of brevity, I'll let the video above detail the findings.

Aileen Abaya, director of communications at SquareTrade, said Samsung’s new phones may hold up to an impressive amount of water but they still struggle to keep up with the iPhone when it comes to screen durability. So while the S7 and S7 edge may be perfect for underwater adventurers, Abaya notes that those of us who are clumsy or accident-prone should still be careful about drops and tumbles.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/64088-squaretrade-breakability-testing-galaxy-s7-edge-water-resistant.html

 

[JeffreyQC]

TumbleBot.....not sure about this test.
We see all the hex screw head inside. ....
Can break the glass easily. (Both Samsung Sx or iPhone)

 

[IAMTHESTIG]

That bend test seems quite dangerous... How long until they get a battery fire?

 

[p51d007]

Well of course the curved edge screen might break easier.
Here's the idea I have used since cell phones came around. My first one was the
Motorola Dyna-Tac "brick"...all the way from that, to the Star-Tac, other flip phones,
PDA's, my first "smart" phone, the Dell Streak5, to my current Huawei Ascend Mate2.
When not in use, my phone is in my belt clip case. I don't carry it in my hands or stuff
in my pants pocket. I work on equipment on several college campus/high schools and
I think people must be "plugged in" 24/7 with these things. They have to have it in their
hands for fear of missing something I guess. That or they have a recording running in a
loop saying breathe in, breathe out. Quit clutching them in your hands all the time and maybe
they won't be dropped.
I know accidents happen but if people would be a little more careful about how they treat
EXPENSIVE electronics, perhaps they wouldn't break as much. The other thing I don't get
is the crazy idea of covering the back in glass. Slippery at the least! I guess people buy these
things more as a fashion statement than as a phone.

 

[JB Hickok]

Nice to see a proper testing and review of the phone instead of love letters and thank you notes to Samsung.